Annual Review Growing Local Philanthropy
FOLD This year’s annual review focuses on inclusive, collaborative, local philanthropy. Demonstrating how local philanthropy can, through collaboration facilitated by the Foundation, make a real difference for all of our communities. We invested a good deal of time at the start of the year developing our next five-year strategy in partnership with stakeholders from across the county, challenging what we do, what needs there are in the county and how best to address them. Those needs are ever-increasing. With significant inflation in food and fuel costs and the Bank of England raising interest rates to try to control those inflationary pressures, more and more people who were just getting by now find themselves in financial difficulty. And those charities and volunteer groups who we fund to help support those in vulnerable situations are themselves facing increased costs while dealing with a surge in demand for their services. In response, we have published an expanded and ambitious five-year strategy to increase our grant making and consolidate and expand our targeted programmes of work. That expansion in our output requires a concerted effort to increase our endowment and the funds available for making those grants. The more money we have at our disposal, the more grants we can make, and the more vulnerable people we can support. In this review, we’ve also tried to illustrate a variety of ways people can get involved and help us raise the funds that enable us to give those grants. In this current economic climate, there is always more we can do. If you can, please help us do it. David Beeby, Chairman About Cumbria Community Foundation As the Foundation approaches its 25th Anniversary, we reflect on a year in which the Foundation passed the significant milestone of having distributed over £60 million to local causes since it was founded in 1999. We know our county. Living in Cumbria has some serious upsides, but life can be really tough. The beautiful landscape hides intense poverty and lack of opportunity. We are grant-making experts and champions of local philanthropy. We know where the needs are. We inspire people, businesses, and organisations to invest in local charities and community groups who support our most marginalised and vulnerable Cumbrians. 61 Applications received multi-year funding £5,962,819 Awarded in total £310,357 was our largest grant, and the smallest £81 121 Funds awarded grants 18 New funds established 811 Successful applications This year has been an exceptionally busy year. Our experienced and skilful staff and volunteers work extremely hard so that every penny has as much impact as possible. This review shows the stories behind just a handful of the 800+ grants we made in the past year to give a taste of the impact we can make. Message from the Chairman Front Cover: Walaa Mohammed Saeed Sonbol, who made a new life in Kendal after she moved away from war-torn Syria 12 years ago, cooked for 30 people and introduced them to traditional Syrian cuisine as part of the Kendal Community Kitchen programme supported by the Community Hardship Fund. Growing Local Philanthropy 2 3
FOLD New five year strategy Our vision for the next five years - working together to ensure our communities thrive. Our values Staff and trustees agreed these values together, and we embed them in everything we do. Every organisation needs to take time out and assess its aims, purpose and values. To confirm its why and how it is going to achieve it. Working with over 200 stakeholders - trustees, staff, fundholders, members, funded groups and other supporters - and drawing on almost 25 years of experience, an ambitious new strategy for the next five years was published this year. The full strategy can be found here. The Foundation exists to bring people together to use their expertise, time and donations to improve the lives of Cumbrians and to make our communities stronger. We aim to create positive and lasting change in our communities through our grant making. The more supporters and philanthropists we attract and inspire, the more funds we have available for distribution, and the more grants and programmes we can deliver. Over the next five years, we will be shouting loudly about what we do and how people can get involved. We aim to grow the endowment that underpins our grant making to at least £40 million as well as working with people who want to make a more immediate impact by spending their donations in the year in which they donate. Cumbria has a vibrant third sector. Over 6,000 charities and community groups work hard to address issues such as inequality, rural isolation, lack of opportunity, poor mental health and poverty - in some areas of Cumbria, 1 in 10 households live on less than £10,000 per year. Those charities and community groups need financial support to provide their services. That support needs to be consistent and reliable for them to provide solutions for the long term. We plan to help them by increasing the number of larger and longer-term grants we make. By 2028 we aim for our annual grant making to be at least £6 million. Our unrivalled knowledge and commitment will underpin the work we do. We are determined to expand our efforts to ensure that Cumbria is a place where needs are met, and everyone can reach their potential. It’s an ambitious plan, but we are up for the challenge! We work with integrity and transparency We listen, learn, and respond We empower people through sharing knowledge and expertise We reflect our communities’ interests in all our work We are ambitious, dynamic and effective We are passionate about creating positive and sustained change in our communities We are a good and rewarding place to work and volunteer We embrace equity and diversity and treat everyone fairly Growing Local Philanthropy 4 5
FOLD Providing warmth and hope for all Locals helping locals stay warm in their homes Upheaval on world energy markets in 2022 saw the price of energy skyrocket. Everyday purchases became much more expensive and many older people on low incomes were finding it impossible to cope. Our Winter Warmth Fund has helped many vulnerable older people with their fuel bills, raising more than £2.3 million over more than a decade. But this past winter it was clear that the significant increase in fuel costs would push many more elderly and vulnerable people into fuel poverty so we set the 2022/23 appeal target at an ambitious £500,000. And with the help of our amazing supporters, including our match funders, that target was met and more! A total of £661,908 was raised allowing our partners, the four Cumbrian branches of Age UK and Copeland Age and Advice Service, to make 2,413 grants, benefiting 3,223 people. Our partners do an excellent job. While distributing the grants, they check on applicants’ wellbeing and helped them to secure a total of £475,786 in unclaimed and backdated benefits, and improve the energy efficiency of their homes. But they couldn’t do any of it without our supporters – fundholders, companies, community fundraisers and individual donors – many of whom donate their Winter Fuel Payment while others simply make whatever donation they can afford. This is all supported by our match funding champions who help incentivise donations by matching other people’s donations £ for £. Everyone’s generosity is hugely appreciated. It really does make a real difference. Community Warm Spots for all In the autumn of 2022, poverty and the costof-living crisis, were identified as the biggest threats to public health in Cumbria. The Warm Spot Fund was established, with funding from Cumbria County Council’s Public Health Recovery and Restart Fund and Cumbria Community Foundation, to provide warm spaces where people could go to keep warm during the day without having to pay to heat their homes. BAE Systems also contributed to the fund. Charitable organisations were given grants of up to £1,000 to set up a Warm Spot in any community venue such as a village hall, a community centre or a parish room, that was able to provide a warm and friendly environment for people to meet over refreshments. In total, 103 Warm Spots were supported across the county, and many applied for a further grant to extend their provision. A review of the Warm Spots in the spring, highlighted many wider benefits. The Warm Spots helped people to meet and make new friends, thereby alleviating loneliness and isolation and improving general wellbeing. And people were signposted to other services for advice and guidance, particularly on cost-of-living related issues. With such positive outcomes, a number of Warm Spots have already indicated that they would like to run a similar service next winter. “It’s hard, the thought of facing winter” Mary Morsby is 69 and lives on her own in Walney Island, Barrow-inFurness. With significant health issues that are aggravated by the cold, Mary said: “If I can’t keep the house warm, or warmish, then I get bad coughing fits and my chest gets tight.” She wasn’t using her electric fire as it is too expensive, and her central heating runs off meters that cut out when the money runs out. “I was leaving the heating off and putting on a house coat and extra jumper. To be truthful sometimes it is warmer outside than it is in.” Mary said the Winter Warmth grant made a huge difference last winter: “The money was like a Godsend really. It helped me to put money on the gas and electric and get warmer.” Mary continued: “I am very grateful to the people who donate, they don’t know how much of a difference it makes. It’s a life saver. It’s hard, the thought of facing winter.” 1st Wetheral Brownies are absolute fundraising stars! Over the past eight years, the 7 – 11 year olds have raised a grand total of £7,500 for the Winter Warmth Fund. They’ve slept out in the towers of spooky castles, near Hadrian’s Wall, in countryside barns, and in tents by a very soggy Windermere. And all the time full of smiles, smores and the obligatory sing songs with lashings of hot chocolate and enthusiasm supported by their inspirational leader, Tawny Owl Janice Brown. When asked why they do it, Janice said: “We gave the Brownies the chance to nominate the charity that they wish to raise money for, and their overwhelming conclusion was that they want money they raise to go to local people. They like the idea of being able to help an older person in Penrith or Whitehaven – places they have heard of and places where they are horrified that folks might be dying of the cold. It all goes to show what little people can do!” Match Champions Cuppas and craic at Egremont Methodist Church Growing Local Philanthropy 6 7
FOLD The Howgill Family Centre based in West Cumbria has been supporting families in the area for more than 40 years and in January 2021 it launched its Baby Basics programme, joining a network of over 50 Baby Basics UK centres across the country. A volunteer run project focusing on the former districts of Allerdale and Copeland, Baby Basics provides essential baby equipment, clothing and toiletries to women and families who are struggling with the financial and practical challenge of looking after a new baby. Referrals from NHS Midwives, Health Visitors and other agencies ensure the items reach where they are needed. The Foundation provided funding of £32,380 over three years from funds set up by CCL Secure, Nuclear Waste Services and Shepley Engineers. The money is supporting the programme by providing a salary for a volunteer coordinator to plan the activities of volunteers and manage donations. Some of those donations come directly from the community with an army of local knitters providing jackets, hats and booties in response to callouts from the Baby Basics Facebook page. Christine Davey, the Volunteer Coordinator for the project said: We are excited that this wonderful project will improve the postnatal safety and wellbeing of local mothers and babies, providing dignity and hope at this vulnerable time in their lives. In the first six months of 2023 alone, the service received 67 referrals, up from 45 referrals for the same period last year. Funding this role over three years has given the service stability and the reassurance that it can plan for the future. It can now offer regular opening hours to better enable Health Professionals to make timely referrals and collections. And by having a dedicated member of staff, Christine can spend time further developing the project and extending her links in the community. Dignity and hope for all new parents Having a new baby can be a daunting experience, particularly when tight family finances are further stretched during a cost-of-living crisis. Integration and collaboration in action In April 2022, with little notice, the Hilltop Hotel in Carlisle became a hostel for up to 147 asylum seekers. Around the same time, at least 100 households in Cumbria registered as hosts under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. A number of local organisations stepped forward to help support and integrate those arriving in Cumbria. Multicultural Cumbria offered to use its skills and experience to coordinate the different strands of assistance on offer, in partnership with Carlisle Refugee Action Group and Penrith & Eden Refugee Action Group. The Foundation provided a grant of £19,962 to fund the first six months of a coordinator’s role. Laura, the coordinator, used Multicultural Cumbria’s existing strong links with other local organisations that help and support people from all diasporas. Saj Ghafoor, CEO for Multicultural Cumbria said that this role had proved to be one of the most valuable they had created. It has helped asylum seekers and refugees to live healthy and active lives and access the support and services they need. With too much time alone with their thoughts while their applications to start new lives are processed, the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees can deteriorate. Distanced from families, many have experienced traumas, persecution and life-threatening situations. They are not allowed to work and are reliant on others for all their basic needs. In partnership with Eden Rivers Trust and Growing Well, activities such as dry-stone walling, gardening and conversational English classes have been organised. Asylum seekers and refugees took part with other beneficiaries of the charities’ programmes. This helped social connections and the fostering of understanding, helping to break down barriers and misconceptions. But as is often the case, the simplest things have had the most impact. Saj said: Often the biggest obstacle to engagement is having accurate translations available to explain practicalities and procedures. Multicultural Cumbria were able to help with this, particularly with education about vaccination programmes for Covid, which we had already developed in 12 different languages. As asylum seekers and refugees move on, new ones arrive, so the need for this project will continue for some time. Multicultural Cumbria hopes to secure longer term funding to continue this vital role. WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES - HOWGILL FAMILY CENTRE BABY BASICS Martin Walkingshaw from Nuclear Waste Services and Christine Davey WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES - MULTICULTURAL CUMBRIA Growing Local Philanthropy 8 9
FOLD Did you know that as well as donating to the Foundation’s work now, you can set up a legacy gift that could keep giving back to the community in perpetuity? Death and dying can be difficult to talk about, but by making the Foundation a beneficiary of your will, you would be contributing to a better future for our communities. One option is to allocate your legacy gift to one of our existing funds. Our funds all have different aims and aspirations and one of them may well match your own objectives. Alternatively, you can use your legacy to set up a fund of your own. You can give it your family name - or any name you like - and specify now how you would like the legacy to be spent. And you have the option to nominate family members to have an input on how the funds are distributed once the legacy fund is active. Legacy gifts to the Foundation are exempt from inheritance tax. Anyone leaving at least 10% of their estate in their will to charity benefits from an effective reduction in inheritance tax on the rest of their estate from 40% to 36%. As well as leaving your own legacy, you can set up a fund to commemorate a loved one. Either way, we can help to ensure that your gift has a lasting impact. Former Laurel House Management House committee members and representatives of funded organisations. Trust in the Foundation’s expertise There are thousands of small charitable trusts across the UK that have been set up from legacies or other sources of funding. Many of them have become less active for a variety of reasons. We can help invigorate a trust by assisting with its grant-making, or assuming its management, or taking over a trust completely. We can update its objectives while continuing to distribute grants in the spirit of the original donors’ intentions. The Laurel House Brampton Fund, described on the opposite page, is a great example of a legacy trust being transferred to the Foundation’s management. Talk to andy@cumbriafoundation.org if you have a trust that may benefit from our expertise. A legacy trust that is not resting on its Laurels One recent trust transfer to the Foundation highlights the positive impact that a legacy and trust transfer can make. Laurel House in Brampton was gifted to the senior citizens of the town in the 1960's having been set up by Mrs Mary Cartmell as a warm and welcoming place for older people. For 40 years it played host to endless hot meals, laughter, companionship and even carpet bowls, until it became too expensive to run. When sold in 2004 the proceeds were invested via a trust that provided grants to local groups supporting older people in Brampton through The Laurel House Management Committee. As the committee members themselves were growing older the decision was made to transfer the trust to the Foundation this year to carry on Mrs Cartmell’s legacy. The Laurel House Brampton Fund has now been set up at the Foundation and continues to operate as Mrs Cartmell wished. Some former committee members remain involved and have been advising on grant applications to provide continuity. Ellen Clements, Senior Grants & Programmes Officer, said: All five applicants that we have so far supported have received previous funding from the Laurel House Management Committee. I have been working closely with the previous Trustees to ensure that the funding goes to the groups that are a priority for the fund and they are happy to support. Brampton Old Peoples Association is one of the groups that have been awarded funding by the new Laurel House Brampton Fund. The association was set up in 1953 and is a lifeline for many elderly people who otherwise wouldn’t get out and see other people. The members enjoy trips out, pie and pea suppers and even a Christmas dinner. Secretary of Brampton Old People’s Association Marian Campbell said: “We have been supported by Laurel House for many years and the fund this year kindly awarded us a grant of £2,000 for activities and outings. This has enabled us to give 150 older people a free day trip to Whitley Bay (where the sun shone for us) and two subsidised bus trips to Southport. We will also be having a Christmas dinner at The Auctioneer in January.” Tim Cartmell a member of our Main Grants Committee and Mary Cartmell’s son said My mother’s aim was to support the older generation in Brampton, and I think it’s fair to say she succeeded. It’s incredible that well over half a century later we are still supporting people that ironically would have been youngsters all those years ago. She would be delighted. How to give forever We can work with you or your Professional Adviser now to ensure your wishes for your legacy are met, so it can benefit many generations to come. For more information, contact caroline@cumbriafoundation.org We recommend that you seek professional advice from a solicitor before writing or amending your will. Growing Local Philanthropy 10 11
FOLD Rural isolation, exacerbated by a lack of public transport and difficulty in accessing services, can lead to high levels of loneliness. And that loneliness can have an impact on all aspects of a person’s life, including their health. Inspired by the success of other schemes in Cumbria, former GP Ashley Liston set up a new Linking Lives service in the Upper Eden area around Appleby and Kirkby Stephen. Linking Lives aims to match experienced volunteer befrienders with isolated people who have been identified as needing support. Referrals to the service will come from individuals and families as well as health care professionals such as social prescribers. Reducing isolation and loneliness has a positive impact on mental health and will help avoid medical intervention. A number of other local services such as food banks, Rotary, and local councils have helped to set up the service and volunteer befrienders are already coming forward to offer their help. It is clear that the service will have a positive impact not only on those isolated individuals who need support, but also on the volunteer befrienders themselves. Volunteer Denise Findlay, a retired District Nurse described a real sense of joy in doing something so worthwhile, ‘making a difference to someone's life by doing such a simple thing.’ To help set up and manage the programme, the Foundation made a grant of £7,000 from the Eden Rural Community Fund, Out of Eden Fund and Westmorland Family Community Fund to appoint a Scheme Coordinator. Linking lives in Upper Eden Cumbria, with its World Heritage landscape, is undoubtedly a beautiful place to live and work. It has some serious upsides, but that beautiful rural landscape does mask significant social issues. People who are socially isolated are 26% more likely to develop dementia Poor social relationships are associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke. Alzheimer’s Research UK, 8 June 2022 BMJ Journals, Heart, 10 June 2016 Equity and inclusion in action All children and young people need access to activities regardless of any additional needs or challenges they may face. School holidays can be particularly difficult. Lots of activities may be taking place, but they are often not suitable for children and young people with disabilities who can feel excluded and isolated. Those with physical disabilities may not be able to compete equally, but barriers to participation also exist for those with less obvious hidden issues such as fear of noise or crowds of unknown people and difficulties in communicating. Barrow Community Sports Trust runs holiday clubs for young people coping with a range of issues from visible physical disabilities such as wheelchair users to children with learning difficulties, autism, ADHD and other undiagnosed difficulties. The Trust provides a safe space to take part in fun and healthy activities with siblings and close friends. Activities include exclusive swimming sessions, Friday Football, a bouncy castle, and plenty of space for free play and socialising. Horse riding sessions are particularly popular. The swim sessions have been so successful that they are also running in term time too. A grant from the Foundation of £4,000 from three funds, including one set up by Thomas Graham & Sons, has helped to support these activities this year. Children and young people who attend gain confidence and social skills, but the sessions also provide an opportunity for parents and carers to get out of the house and participate and socialise with each other. One parent said: My son benefits a lot from the activities. It has helped build his confidence mixing with other children outside of school. He thoroughly enjoys all the activities he attends. Staff are great, they engage well with the children and have a great understanding of their needs. We always feel welcome, and we are really happy with the programme. The sessions are open to all, without referral, and the Trust does not ask for proof of disability or additional needs. Jordan O’Keefe, Equity Coordinator for the Trust, said: Our view is if you think your child will benefit from attending, they are welcome. It’s all about benefitting the kids – it’s about them. WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES - UPPER EDEN LINKING LIVES WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES - BARROW COMMUNITY SPORTS TRUST Volunteer befriender Denise Findlay with Ashley Liston Growing Local Philanthropy 12 13
FOLD Transforming West Cumbria Launched in 2020, the £6.5m Transforming West Cumbria (TWC) social investment programme focusses on helping West Cumbria’s most entrenched social issues and inequalities. Funded through the Sellafield Ltd social impact, multiplied (SiX) programme, TWC has made a positive difference to hundreds of community organisations and thousands of people. It has brought communities and stakeholders together and encouraged a partnership approach that has demonstrated that impact can be multiplied through collaboration. Addressing community needs identified in the Foundation’s West Cumbria Opportunities and Challenges Report, the TWC programme focuses on building the resilience and capability of community organisations, inspiring social enterprise, nurturing young entrepreneurs, making community activism the norm for young people, improving family wellbeing, addressing financial hardship and supporting mental health and wellbeing. Sellafield Ltd’s supply chain partners and other local businesses and funders are becoming increasingly involved, supporting projects with staff time and expertise, as well as match funding TWC to a total of £540,000 so far. We can achieve more by working together. - Gary McKeating, Head of Development and Community, Sellafield Ltd. Programmes and partnerships - working together for local people In November 2022, the Foundation’s Grants Team received a Cumbria Learning and Improvement Collaborative (CLIC) System Recognition Award for its outstanding collaborative work. Working closely with Cumbria CVS and the NHS in North Cumbria, we have developed innovative programmes to stimulate new ways of delivering health related services. Addressing health inequalities By working together with other organisations and businesses we can increase our impact and ensure our grants reach where they are most needed. Since 2020, over £2 million has been invested through the Foundation by the NHS in North Cumbria to enable voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to deliver these new health projects in North Cumbria. The NHS Green Social Prescribing Fund addresses health inequalities by using nature-based activities to improve people’s health and wellbeing, thereby reducing the need for NHS services. It has supported projects such as local walking groups, community garden projects, and outdoor exercise therapies. The NHS North Cumbria Discharge Support Fund supports organisations to help patients return home after being discharged from hospital. The Well@ Home project delivered by Age UK West Cumbria, Age UK Carlisle & Eden and Meals on Wheels provides a bespoke individual service for up to four weeks. It’s a person-centred service and the support includes a holistic assessment of needs, transport, home preparation including cleaning, benefits checks, befriending, shopping and the provision of meals. Over 800 people have been helped to return and stay well at home this year. One beneficiary said, Age UK have been wonderful; I don’t know what I would have done without them. Both funds have been set-up by the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board. Unlocking West Cumbria’s entrepreneurial spirit Positive Enterprise is a six-month programme which empowers aspiring young entrepreneurs in West Cumbria to have their ambitions turned into reality. Launched in 2022, youngsters aged 14 to 25 were invited to pitch their business ideas. Seven winners selected and received £1,000 to spend on equipment, materials, stock or services to launch their social enterprise. They are also supported by the Centre for Leadership Performance through coaching, mentoring and workshops. Laurie Crayston, an entrepreneur who acted as a mentor, runs three small businesses of his own. He said: The ideas the young people have are fantastic. West Cumbria in many ways is a disadvantaged area, but there’s so much talent and potential here. Bethany Goodall, 24, of Workington, received £1,000 to establish the Lake District Academy of Theatre Arts to provide affordable musical theatre workshops. Bethany said: Having one-to-one sessions with a mentor gave me a real insight into how to sell my idea. I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do that. The programme is funded by the Cumbria-based property developer Brian Scowcroft with match funding from Sellafield Ltd, Nuclear Waste Services, Well Whitehaven, Morgan Sindall and Kaefer. Bethany receiving her award from David Beeby, Chairman of the Foundation, at an event to celebrate the young entrepreneurs achievements. Growing Local Philanthropy 14 15
FOLD Giving close to home And you don’t have to live in Cumbria to support our work. Mike Wombwell lives in Cornwall but was born in West Cumbria. Concerned by the cost-of-living crisis and its impact on young people, Mike funded the setting up of our Allerdale Holiday, Activities and Food Fund. Never forget your roots Be like our Dave One of our supporters Dave Khan, is based near Grange over Sands. Dave is a Director of Rural Getaways Ltd which owns and manages a number of holiday parks in the south of the county. Every month, Dave makes a generous regular donation to the Cumbria Fund which makes grants to projects across the county. When asked why he does it, Dave said: "I have been very privileged to have been helped on my business journey and throughout my life by individuals who do not necessarily know me but have helped me. Growing up in a fairly poor and deprived area I think it is important to always remember to put back into society whatever you can. I get more pleasure giving my money away than making it!" I am always inspired by the commitment of local volunteers who are active in the local community, and I am happy to make a contribution to support their efforts especially in these challenging times. As well as funding projects which address issues such as holiday hunger during school holidays, the fund that Mike set up has allowed the breakfast club at Netherhall School to continue for a further year. Free to all students the breakfast club offers food and hot drinks before school starts for the day. It sets them up for a day of learning, while also providing the opportunity for students to socialise with each other and to chat informally to teachers, fostering a real sense of community in the school. Individuals inside and outside the county are supporting our communities. David said: “We came across compelling evidence that quality youth work makes a real difference to outcomes for young people, yet funding for youth workers has been cut dramatically.” Better Tomorrows is investing more than £1 million over three years to pay for accredited youth work training. Alongside the training, which is delivered in person by Cumbria Youth Alliance, grants of up to £75,000 are available for community organisations to set up or provide new youth work opportunities for local people. CEO of Cumbria Youth Alliance, Becky Wolstenholme, said: We are absolutely delighted to be a partner organisation with the Better Tomorrows programme, building solid platforms by supporting and offering training to vital youth organisations. In the first year of the programme, 19 organisations have been funded, over 30 people have participated in the accredited training, 26 new youth worker roles have been created and nearly 4,000 hours of new youth work has been delivered. Over 40 funders have contributed to the programme, including the Community Foundation, Francis Scott Trust, Four Acre Trust, Nuclear Waste Services, the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, and many local businesses and individuals. David continued: The Better Tomorrows Programme has demonstrated the power of over 40 funders working together for the benefit of the young people of Cumbria, achieving a level of positive change that none of us could have imagined on our own. Almost 70% of participants have reported increased confidence and well over a half felt an increased sense of belonging in their community. Parents noticed positive changes in their children, with fewer reports of antisocial behaviour. Donations to the Better Tomorrows programme are still welcome. Contact annalee@cumbriafoundation.org for more information. As David says: “The more donations we receive, the more people we’ll be able to support. I hope now that youth work will be recognised as a career and as an opportunity.” A programme for the next generation The Better Tomorrows programme was developed by our chair David Beeby during his year as High Sheriff of Cumbria to address the gap in youth work provision in the county. Mike Wombwell and son Growing Local Philanthropy 16 17
FOLD Cumbria Club This year has seen the amalgamation of the Foundation’s individual and family membership scheme with the membership of the Cumbria Club. The two schemes were set up for supporters in the county and for those who live across the country. Our one membership scheme is now known as the Cumbria Club, regardless of where you live. A series of successful events! As part of our Cumbria Club membership package, we host an extensive series of social events bringing our members together to discuss all things Cumbria and highlight how anyone can get involved in our work. It has been great to see so many members at a number of very successful events this year including an evening cruise on board the MV Swift on Windermere courtesy of our fundholders Windermere Lake Cruises, a reception at Rathbones HQ in London with Lord Melvyn Bragg, and a drinks reception and private tour at the Houses of Parliament. Membership update Membership of the Cumbria Club starts from just £50 per year. As well as invites to our events, members get to vote at our AGM and receive a monthly newsletter with updates on our work. If you would like to become a Cumbria Club or Corporate member, host an event for the Foundation or you want to introduce some of your friends to the work that we do, please get in touch with our Relationships Officer caroline@cumbriafoundation.org for more information. Day Cummins architects and surveyors is a Cumbrian-based company that has been with us from the beginning. The firm is firmly rooted in Cumbria. It sources products and services locally for its construction projects to support local jobs, the wider community and the infrastructure of the area. As well as being corporate members they have supported the Foundation by producing drawings and schemes for some of the groups who have applied for our grants. Jane Clingan, Director and Practice Manager at Day Cummins said: We have supported the amazing work of Cumbria Community Foundation from its inception so that local people can meet the challenges they face and achieve their potential. Corporate membership packages start from just £200 a year and we currently have close to 120 corporate members. Being able to count on the consistent source of income that comes from membership fees means we can plan and do our research, producing reports such as Cumbria Revealed to help highlight where the needs are in our county. And it’s not just companies with Cumbrian roots, but also national and international companies who work in our county who become corporate members. Global sportswear brand New Balance, with its factory and outlet store in Flimby celebrate their 10th anniversary as corporate members of the Foundation this year. During the Covid-19 pandemic, when we knew that the financial circumstances of many of our members would be uncertain, the Foundation offered a payment holiday to our corporate membership which many members took up. It was humbling and heartening to see that all bar one survived the financial impact of Covid-19 and restarted their membership once the pandemic’s immediate impact had passed. Thank you. Happy anniversary to our longstanding corporate members Our corporate membership scheme was set up soon after the Foundation was founded and has been running for 20 years. Congratulations and a big thank you to our longest serving members! From L-R: Andy West, Nathan Courtier, Jen Metcalf, Tim Gleed, Michael Dawson, Michael Podmore, Peter Bromiley, Linsey Waite, James Craig Just a few of our other longstanding corporate members Growing Local Philanthropy 18 19
FOLD Alertacall Limited Armstrong Watson BAE Systems Marine Limited Bells of Lazonby Limited Bender UK Limited Burn How Garden House Hotel Carr's Group plc E H Booth & Co Limited Gedye & Sons Handelsbanken Kendal Handelsbanken North Cumbria Jacobs Clean Energy Limited James Cropper plc Lake District Estates Co Limited Lakeland Limited Low Level Waste Repository Limited (LLWR) Majik House M-Sport Limited Roundhouse Properties Sellafield Limited The Travel Chapter Limited Thomas Graham & Sons Limited WCF Limited Westmorland Limited Windermere Lake Cruises Limited Adamedia Limited Altrad Babcock Limited Architects Plus (UK) Limited Birchwood Farms Limited Britain's Energy Coast Business Cluster Burnetts Solicitors Carlisle Diocese Carlisle Refrigeration Limited Carr's Flour Mills Limited Carter Jonas LLP Castlerigg Hall Lake District Caravan and Camping Park CCL Secure Center Parcs Limited Cowens Limited Cumberland Pencil Company Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Cumbria O&M Services Limited Cumbria Waste Management Ltd David Allen Day Cummins Architects Delkia Limited Designworks (Cumbria) Limited Dodd & Co Eden Housing Association EMG Solicitors Limited English Lakes Hotels Limited Enterprise Answers Fastness Data Services Limited Firpress Group Limited Forge Europa Limited Fulcrum Films Limited Grant Plant Hire Limited Grasmere Gingerbread Limited H & H Group plc Hackney & Leigh Haywood and Jackson Fabrications Limited HFT Gough and Co Holker Estates Company Limited Holmegate Farms Limited Holmen Iggesund Paperboard Limited Houghton-Parkhouse Limited Innovia Films Limited Intro PR & Media Limited J Edgar & Son James Walker & Co Limited Javelinas Group Limited Keswick Alhambra Cinema Knights Professional Services Limited L & W Wilson (Endmoor) Limited Lake District Hotels Limited Lamont Pridmore Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel Low Sizergh Barn Lyon Leisure Marsh Commercial Mason Gillibrand Architects McMenon Engineering Services Limited Meldrum Limited Mirefoot Cottages MissionCX Limited Mitchells Auction Company Limited Napthens LLP New Balance Athletic Shoes (UK) Limited NFU Mutual (Carlisle) Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) Nuvia Limited Park, Gate & Company Limited Peill & Co Penrith Building Society Pioneer Foodservice Progression Solicitors Limited Quilter Private Client Advisers R G Parkins & Partners Limited Rathbones Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Co Limited Raymond James Kendal Rayrigg Estates Limited RBC Brewin Dolphin Limited Risedale at Abbey Meadow RSM UK Saker Solutions Limited Salvana's Ristorante Savills (UK) Limited Shepley Engineers Limited Solomons Europe Spedding Dental Clinic Stowe Family Law Preston The Cumberland The Tranquil Otter Thomson Hayton Winkley Ullswater Steamers United Biscuits UK Limited University of Cumbria Warwick Square Osteopaths Limited Westlakes Engineering Limited Winders Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers Womble Bond Dickinson LLP CHALLENGE CORPORATE Allerdale Disability Association Ambleside Bowling Club Ambleside Parish Centre Bay Trust Radio Broughton Village Hall Carlisle Cricket Club Carlisle Mencap Limited ChangeWays Through Horses CIC Cleator Moor Methodist Church Cockermouth School and Community Association (CSCA) Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS) Cumbria Deaf Association Cumbria Family Support Cumbria Youth Alliance (CYA) Distington Community Centre Association Dobie's Charitable Trust Evergreen Club Ambleside Gosforth Nursery Heron Corn Mill (Beetham) Limited Keswick and District Fair Trade Campaign Kirkbarrow Residents' Association (KRA) Kirkgate Arts and Heritage Longtown Memorial Hall and Community Centre Parton Village Hall Rotary Club of Workington The Farmer Network Limited Ulverston Resilience Group Watchtree Nature Reserve Limited Westward Parochial Church Council Workington Transport Heritage Trust VOLUNTARY SECTOR Members Membership is a great way to regularly support the work of Cumbria Community Foundation. Over the past year, we have continued to welcome new corporate and individual members, as well as from the voluntary sector - thank you. Lake District Estates and its sister businesses, Ullswater Steamers and Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, operate in many locations and communities across Cumbria and believe in playing our part in those communities to ensure that they prosper. One of the best ways we can do this is through our membership of Cumbria Community Foundation; the Foundation has an extensive knowledge and understanding of need throughout Cumbria and is much better able than we are to know where support is needed and how best to provide it. - Peter Hensman OBE DL, Exec Director, Lake District Estates Co Ltd Growing Local Philanthropy 20 21
FOLD Connecting and investing in rural Cumbria An exciting addition to the Foundation’s flow through funds this year has been the Fibrus Community Fund Cumbria which was established by full fibre broadband company, Fibrus with an initial donation of £60,000. Awarded a significant contract to bring full fibre broadband to Cumbria’s rural communities, Fibrus is working hard to connect rural households to the fastest gigabit-capable broadband connections. The Fibrus Community Fund Cumbria offers grants to enable people to stay connected, whether it is young people accessing online resources for school, or elderly people ordering groceries and video calling family. Dean Jooste, Stakeholder Director at Fibrus, said: We saw a real need in Cumbria to address digital poverty. By enabling those in need to access computers and online services, we can boost the opportunities of youngsters and improve the quality of life for older people. It is important to us that while we’re bringing the people of Cumbria high speed connections, we continue to invest money to support our communities. Fibrus has supported a total of 10 organisations to date with grants totalling £17,330 and a second round of applications is underway. Organisations that have been supported include Carlisle Sight Support, who have purchased smart speakers to help with interactive training sessions for visually impaired people and Friends of St Cuthbert’s School in Wigton, to purchase iPads for use by digitally excluded children. The £130,000 capital donated to date by Shepley’s has therefore not just remained intact but grown. The income from the endowment is paid out in calculated distributions (typically 4% per annum) to causes that matter to Shepley’s. David continued: We established an endowment fund with Cumbria Community Foundation because they have a professional team and are well governed with a structured approach to providing support to the community. This makes it easier for us to support initiatives that can deliver a real positive impact to people’s lives. When setting up the fund it was important to Shepley’s to support small voluntary and community groups and organisations - grassroots groups – particularly those just starting out in the areas where Shepley’s employees are based. In this past year, projects supported include the provision of a Bereavement Support Practitioner for Child Bereavement UK, the Cumbria Wheelchair Sports Club, and a Customer Support Officer for Copeland Age and Advice Service. Another grant went to Millom Stepping Stones nursery to provide sensory equipment for a quiet and safe developmental space for their children with special educational needs. And there will be much more to come. As David says: The beauty of the endowment fund is that it is professionally managed, and constantly builds, providing a growing grant and donations “pot” to support community projects in perpetuity. £1,000 Donations per month £104,000 Grants distributed £171,000 Fund balance Endowment Shepley Group Fund One of our longest standing endowment fundholders Shepley Engineers Ltd is turning 75 this year. A nuclear stalwart, it is the longest-serving continuous contractor working with Sellafield. Committed to the local area, David Henderson, Shepley’s Nuclear Business Manager said: “We have always been involved in supporting local community groups and charities that do great work in the area.” The Shepley Group Fund is a great example of how regular giving can build a fund. A total of £130,000 in donations over the past decade has resulted in £104,000 of grants – but there is also £171,000 of capital in the pot, the bulk of which is growing on endowment. How do I set up a fund? Drop the team a line, andy@cumbriafoundation.org or nicci@cumbriafoundation.org Who can set up a fund? Anyone – a family, a private individual, a business - can set up a fund with a one-off donation or by building up a fund over time. There are two main types of funds. Funds held on endowment give longevity to the donation(s) as the income from the capital is used to make the grants. Flow through funds are spent in the year they are donated and make a more immediate impact. Here’s two great examples of each. Flow through Growing Local Philanthropy 22 23
FOLD Grant making 2022-23 Full details of the funds, including the grant making criteria, are available on our website. Cumberland Educational Foundation 10 grants £45,859 Grants to widen access to sports and the arts in young people up to the age of 25. Cumbria Communication Project 3 grants £58,248 A multi-year programme providing early interventions to promote and improve speech and language development in 0-3 year olds. Cumbria Fund 37 grants £260,444 Grants for charitable projects that address one or more of Cumbria Community Foundation’s top five priorities for funding. The following funds contributed income to this fund: • The Crispus Fund • Francis C Scott Challenge Fund • Gregg Fund • Harvey Family Fund • Hensman Acorn Fund • HSBC Fund • James Cropper Fund • Laing Fund • Middlebrook Foundation Fund • Napthens Fund • Northern Rock Foundation • The BG Fund • Viscount Whitelaw Fund • Winander Leisure Cumbria Grassroots Fund 6 grants £8,225 Grants for charitable projects that address one or more of Cumbria Community Foundation’s top five priorities for funding. Cumbria Home from Home Fund 5 grants £6,000 Grants to organisations that help sustain and improve the quality of community life in and around the Lake District. Cumbria Industries Amenities Fund 1 grant £1,388 Grants for activities and equipment which support disabled people in the fund priority area of Carlisle. Cumbria Victims Charitable Trust Fund 16 grants £6,018 Grants to individuals to provide financial support to victims of crime who reside in Cumbria. Cumbria Young People’s Fund 22 grants £65,560 Grants to benefit children and young people aged 14-22 across Cumbria. Cumbria Young People’s Grassroots Fund 6 grants £30,611 Grants to benefit children and young people aged 14-22 across Cumbria. DCMS Know Your Neighbourhood Fund 16 grants £135,333 Grants to groups to increase volunteering and reduce chronic loneliness in Barrow--in-Furness. Doosan Babcock Grassroots Fund 1 grant £710 Grants to improve life chances and aspirations in areas covering the company's employees' residence. Dora Beeforth Memorial Fund 7 grants £7,335 Grants to help disadvantaged young people participate in sport or foreign travel. Dowker Bindloss Charity 1 grant £558 Grants to community based organisations supporting Kendal residents. Eden Rural Community Fund 2 grants £1,650 Grants to groups that help improve the lives of vulnerable people. Edmond Castle Educational Trust 7 grants £15,320 Grants to support the education and training of disadvantaged young people, prioritising those who are or have been in care. Education Fund (Cumbria) 3 grants £4,001 Grants to support all types of educational activities for people of any age in Cumbria. Elizabeth Fell Memorial Trust 2 grants £3,570 Grants to community based organisations supporting the parish of Kingstown, Carlisle and surrounding area. English Lakes Hotels Trust Fund 1 grant £720 Grants to support English Lakes Hotels employees, and groups delivering community projects in the areas of Windermere, Ambleside, Morecambe and Lancaster. ENWL Storm Arwen Community Resilience Fund 5 grants £88,710 Grants to support local communities impacted by Storm Arwen in 2021 in the counties of Cumbria, Derbyshire, Lancashire. Evening Hill Grassroots Fund 4 grants £4,963 Aims to improve the lives of 16-25 years olds or improve the quality of life for the elderly. Fairfield Windfarm Community Benefit Fund 4 grants £27,928 Grants for charitable activities for local communities located close to the Fairfield Wind Farm in north Copeland. Fryer Grassroots Fund 4 grants £5,065 Grants to organisations that improve the lives of young people especially those leaving care within Cumbria. Genesis Homes Community Fund 4 grants £7,303 Grants to community projects within the areas of the building sites. Geoffrey Blake Architectural Heritage Fund 3 grants £5,259 Grants to support community-based projects of architectural merit in Cumbria. Gurney Charitable Trust Fund 8 grants £10,500 Grants to supports small, locallyfocused charities in northern Cumbria, with a priority in and around the village of Ireby. GVC Fund 7 grants £50,000 Grants to groups that use sport and physical activity to raise awareness, tackle mental health stigmas and support men with mental or physical health problems to become more active. Hellrigg Windfarm Community Fund 4 grants £20,796 Grants for charitable activities for local communities located close to the Hellrigg Wind Farm in north Allerdale. Herdy Fund 1 grant £3,000 Grants to support and nurture Cumbria's upland fell farming and rural communities. FUNDS HELD BY THE FOUNDATION Abbeyfield Society Community First Fund 7 grants £10,835 Grants to benefit people living in the Carlisle, Allerdale and Eden areas. Abbeyfield Carlisle Over 55 Fund 6 grants £15,549 Grants to benefit people over 55 living in the Carlisle, Allerdale and Eden areas. Allerdale Holiday, Activities, and Food Programme 15 grants £155,364 Grants to provide activities and address food hunger for children and young people in areas such as Maryport and Workington. Alston Moor Community Fund 4 grants £7,962 Grants for charitable purposes for the benefit of Alston. Barker Fund 5 grants £8,329 Grants to organisations that advance the education of disadvantaged young people, including young farmers, aged 25 and under who live in Cumbria. Barrow Community Trust 7 grants £11,155 Grants for charitable purposes for the benefit of the people of the Borough of Barrow-in-Furness. Barrow in Furness Grassroots Fund 2 grants £2,704 Grants for charitable purposes for the benefit of the people of the Borough of Barrow-in-Furness. Beck Burn Windfarm Community Fund 62 grants £168,320 Grants to community groups and individuals close to the Beck Burn Wind Farm. Beeby Family Fund 20 grants £68,750 Grants to community projects that benefit young people across the county but prioirtising those in the Wigton area. Better Tomorrows Fund 12 grants £223,394 Grants to increase the number of young people having access to quality youth work. This includes accredited training in Youth Work and funding salaries of new youth workers. Beverley Charitable Trust Fund 4 grants £20,973 Grants to young people in West Cumbria to enable access to study or vocational training. Border Fund 8 grants £9,461 Grants to projects that address homelessness, hearing loss or other significant life events, and those providing training to build skills and confidence. Brian and Ann Clark Fund 16 grants £63,067 Grants to projects working with disadvantaged families and people with disabilities or mental health issues, and assistance for young people in caring roles. Broughton Moor Windfarm Fund 4 grants £8,521 Grants for local communities located close to the Broughton Moor Wind Farm. Carr’s Group Fund 3 grants £2,625 Grants to invest in the wellbeing of communities across Cumbria. Castles and Coasts Housing Association Community Fund 10 grants £9,600 Grants to support community projects and activities that make a positive contribution to the tenants and residents living in the neighbourhoods serviced by Castles & Coasts Housing Association. Catherine Alexander Grassroots Fund 5 grants £8,000 Grants for local communities in Kendal and its immediate district. CCL Secure Community Fund 9 grants £9,500 Grants to community organisations providing activities that benefit people and communities in Allerdale and Copeland. CiFR Community Flood Resilience Fund 2 grants £25,000 Grants to groups to develop and test new approaches to resilience tailored to local communities. CN Fund 4 grants £5,309 Grants to grassroots groups in the Newsquest distribution area. Community Hardship Fund 31 grants £166,081 Grants to groups to support activities that help people in financial hardship. Community Resilience Fund 7 grants £25,078 Grants to support community organisations to recover from the pandemic and help them continue the vital work they do for the long term. Crofton Trust Fund 2 grants £4,428 Grants to promote the education of the public about agriculture, forestry and the countryside. Cultural Fund 4 grants £2,000 Grants to promote excellence in the arts and cultural life. Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Fund 2 grants £2,079 Grants to community based organisations benefiting people living in the Herald’s main circulation area. Cumberland Building Society Community Fund 4 grants £34,476 Grants to organisations within the Cumberland Building Society's operating area that promote and improve financial literacy of disadvantaged people. Growing Local Philanthropy 24 25
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