New Fund Created to Honour Inventor of Iconic Cumbrian Brand
Cumbria, UK – The legacy of Sarah Nelson, the inventor behind the world-famous Grasmere Gingerbread® brand, will continue to live on through a new charitable fund set up to help those in need. The Sarah Nelson Fund, managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, will provide grants of up to £5,000 to not-for-profit organisations and groups in the local area.
The fund, inspired by Sarah’s life, will prioritize projects that support individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, improve education for children and adults, promote creative and sustainable business ideas, and address food poverty. These four themes reflect the resilience, creativity, and community spirit that Sarah embodied in her life.
“We are thrilled that Cumbria Community Foundation will now actively manage our annual charitable donation,” said Andrew Hunter, co-owner of Grasmere Gingerbread®. “As making a material difference to our fellow citizens’ lives in the county is part of the philanthropic ethos of our 171-year-old business, we cannot think of a better way to honour Sarah Nelson’s wonderful legacy. We hope that our contribution will help sustain projects in areas close to our hearts in the months and years to come.”
Sarah Thompson, Grants & Programmes Officer for Cumbria Community Foundation, expressed her excitement about the partnership with Grasmere Gingerbread®. “We have been the trusted philanthropic partner of businesses across Cumbria for more than 25 years and have a deep understanding of the county’s needs. We look forward to receiving applications from groups supporting people in these four priority areas and will ensure that this money makes the biggest difference possible.”
The fund is open to charitable organisations, and grants will be limited to £5,000 or less over one year. For more information and to apply, interested parties can contact Sarah Thompson at 01900 820821 or email sarah@cumbriafoundation.org. Applications can also be submitted through the Cumbria Community Foundation website at https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/the-sarah-nelson-fund/.
Cumbria Community Foundation distributes around £7 million in grants annually to local charities and voluntary groups through more than 100 grant-making funds set up by generous businesses, individuals, and families. For those interested in setting up a fund and supporting those in need in Cumbria, they can contact Development Manager Caroline Adams at 01900 820825 or email caroline@cumbriafoundation.org.
With the establishment of the Sarah Nelson Fund, Sarah’s legacy will continue to positively impact the lives of those in need in the Cumbria community for years to come.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.