Cumbria Community Foundation, a charitable organisation in Cumbria, has supported tens of thousands of people with grants totaling more than £65 million over the past 25 years. The Foundation celebrated its silver anniversary at its Annual Dinner in Barrow on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
The Foundation was founded in 1999 by John Fryer-Spedding and the late Arthur Sanderson, along with trustees from across the county. Their goal was to create an organization that could grow philanthropy and generate new funds to support the people and communities of Cumbria.
At the event, which was attended by Mr. Fryer-Spedding himself, Chief Executive Andy Beeforth highlighted the incredible work that the Foundation has carried out over the years. “During that time, we have been at the heart of Cumbria’s communities, channeling the generosity and philanthropy of people and businesses to support over 4,000 charities and tens of thousands of individuals,” he said. “With the support of people like you, we have given out more than £65 million and built our endowed assets to almost £30 million.”
Mr. Beeforth also emphasized the Foundation’s role in powering and strengthening communities and organizations in Cumbria. The celebration dinner, held at Abbey House Hotel in Barrow-in-Furness, commemorated the Foundation’s first grant in Furness in 1999 to STEPS, a charity that provides support for children experiencing bereavement and separation.
Since then, the Foundation has come a long way, developing a deep understanding of the challenges facing different communities in Cumbria and creating grant-making funds and programs to provide long-term, sustainable solutions. It has also supported local communities during difficult times, such as the Foot and Mouth disease outbreak in 2001 and flooding in 2005, 2009, and 2015. The Foundation has also played a crucial role in providing funding for charities, individuals, and families.
In 2022, the Foundation’s Winter Warmth Appeal raised over £500,000 for the second year in a row, providing life-changing support for older people who would otherwise have to choose between heating and eating. The Foundation currently manages more than 100 grant-making funds on behalf of families and businesses and distributes around £6 million in grants every year across the county in collaboration with partners like Sellafield Ltd and the NHS.
According to Andy Beeforth, philanthropy is all about making a positive impact on the world. “The power of philanthropy can change lives,” he said. “None of this could have been achieved without the help of our generous supporters – ordinary people and businesses who want to invest in and give back to their local communities.”
As part of its 25th-anniversary celebrations, the Foundation is encouraging businesses and individuals to get involved by setting up an Acorn Fund. These funds are invested and grown over time through regular and one-off donations, with the returns being used to fund grants and ensure long-term support for voluntary and community organizations to improve the lives of the people and communities of Cumbria.
Cumbria Tourism has already started an Acorn Fund to celebrate its own 50th anniversary, and the Foundation is launching a corporate fundraising campaign later this spring. The campaign encourages people to get active and raise money for the Cumbria Fund, which funds projects to improve lives countywide by focusing on health and mental wellbeing, increasing life and employability skills, and strengthening community cohesion.
To learn more about the Acorn Fund, corporate fundraising campaign, or anniversary celebrations, please contact the Foundation at enquiries@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.