Local Communities 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:
£10,000 - £30,000 (Small) £30,001 - £249,999 (Large)

Application Deadlines:
13th May & 16th September 2026

The ‘Local Communities Fund’ offers support for projects seeking funding in the area of South Cumberland and Whitehaven & Coastal (the former area of Copeland). The fund offers:

  • Small Grants (between £10,000 and £30,000)
  • Large Grants (between £30,001 and £249,999)

We are looking for projects that deliver benefits to the local community to address our 4 priority areas of focus:

  • Employment & Enterprise
  • Community Wellbeing
  • Children & Young People
  • Places & Spaces

Match funding requirements:

  • Small applications require minimum of 25% match funding already secured or applied for.
  • Large applications require minimum of 50% match funding already secured or applied for.

Projects must demonstrate that they can align with both Cumberland Council Strategic Plan and the NDA Local Social Impact & Communities Strategy 2024.

Any project wishing to apply should discuss outputs with the Fund Development Officers to ensure they align.

Organisations can apply on an individual basis, however CCF also looks favourably on collaborative projects.

Exclusions for the Local Communities 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

Please contact Copeland Community Fund on 07833048986 or [email protected] for further information, guidance and support prior to submitting a funding application.