Enabling Fund

Suitable For:
Voluntary or community organisations, registered charities, constituted groups or clubs, not-for profit companies or Social Enterprises and public sector bodies for non-statutory activity.

Funding Size:
up to £10,000

Application Deadlines:
Feburary 2026 - Ongoing

Notification Dates:
Within 2 weeks following submission

The Enabling Fund offers support to develop and strengthen your project.

We can fund a range of development and viability assessment activities to help you develop the next stage of your application or support your application to other funders.

The Enabling Fund is able to support, but is not limited to:

  • Commissioned Training to provide essential skills for the project
  • Planning Fees
  • Pre-planning Architect Fees
  • Consultation Events
  • Feasibility / Viability Studies
  • Business Planning 
  • Structural Surveys
  • Energy Audits
  • Third Party Funding to FCC Communities Foundation (formerly WREN)
  • Essential match funding demonstrating local funding commitment to Heritage Lottery Fund/Arts Council

Please note All applicants should contact Copeland Community Fund Team prior to making an application on 07825125324 or email [email protected].

Exclusions for the Enabling Fund will include:

  • Faith based activities (unless broader community use)
  • Residential activities (outside of Cumbria) including expeditions and overseas trips
  • Direct replacement of activities which are a statutory obligation
  • Commercial Business (for profit)
  • Social Enterprises NOT having 3 non-related Directors
  • Social Enterprises where one or two directors have significant control over the organisation
  • Financial support to Social Enterprises Limited by Shares (CLS) who distribute profit to Company Directors or Share Holders
  • Social Enterprises where there is no asset lock body within their charitable objectives
  • Continuation funding for Social Enterprise’s core costs and / or existing activities (unless they can demonstrate significant social value)
  • Refurbishments or new build that only benefits one user group (unless they can demonstrate significant social value)
  • Activities that benefit individuals, rather than the wider community
  • Political activities
  • Retrospective costs
  • Loan repayments
  • Purchase of buildings & vehicles
  • Organisations based outside the UK