New Fund Launched to Promote Health and Wellbeing through Sport and Physical Activity
A new initiative has been launched to improve the health and wellbeing of communities in the UK through the power of sport and physical activity. The New Balance Foundation (NBF), the charitable foundation of Cumbria-based sportswear firm New Balance, has set up the New Balance Foundation Get Active Fund to provide grants to community groups and charitable organisations working towards this goal.
The fund, which is being managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, will award grants to under-represented communities who are currently not as active as they could be. The grants will typically range from £1,000 to £5,000, with one grant of up to £10,000 being considered.
Caroline Adams, Development Manager for Cumbria Community Foundation, explained the need for the fund, citing research by Sport England that shows a significant portion of the population in Cumbria is considered ‘inactive’, meaning they do less than 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. This is especially true for certain groups such as women and girls, and Black and Asian children and young people.
Adams continued, “There is overwhelming evidence for the life-changing benefits of being active, from childhood to old age. Regular exercise can reduce the risk of various illnesses and diseases, leading to significant savings for the economy. We are grateful to NBF for creating this fund and look forward to supporting groups across Cumbria in keeping communities active.”
Paola Bethmage, Global Grants Manager at New Balance Foundation, also expressed excitement about the new fund, stating, “We are excited to work alongside Cumbria Community Foundation in investing in community-led initiatives that aim to improve the health and wellbeing of families and neighborhoods near our Flimby factory. To date, NBF has provided over $300,000 USD in grants to organizations in the region.”
Bethmage added, “New Balance Foundation is committed to changing a generation through our grants, and we look forward to this collaboration in hopes of making a lasting positive impact in Cumbria.”
The closing date for applications to the New Balance Foundation Get Active Fund is November 1, 2024. Community groups and charitable, not-for-profit organisations are encouraged to apply if their activities have a tangible and long-term impact on health, wellbeing, confidence, and social or economic activity.
Priority will be given to projects that benefit culturally diverse communities, disabled people, individuals with long-term health conditions, people aged 55 and over, and women and girls. Additionally, projects that target individuals who have faced challenges such as exclusion from school, unemployment, involvement with gangs, domestic violence, homelessness, or refugees and asylum seekers will also be prioritised.
To learn more about the fund and how to apply, visit www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/new-balance-get-active-fund. For grants exceeding £5,000, applicants are advised to speak to a Grants Officer first.
Cumbria Community Foundation currently awards around £6 million in grants each year to local charities and voluntary groups through over 100 grant-making funds set up by businesses, individuals, and families. To learn more about setting up a fund and supporting those in need in Cumbria, contact Development Manager Caroline Adams at 01900 820825 or caroline@cumbriafoundation.org.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.