CUMBRIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY
Tuesday 12 March, 2024 – Over the past 25 years, Cumbria Community Foundation has provided support and grants totaling over £65 million to tens of thousands of individuals in need. The charitable organization marked the beginning of its silver anniversary celebrations at its Annual Dinner on Thursday, March 7th in Barrow.
The Foundation was founded in 1999 by John Fryer-Spedding and the late Arthur Sanderson, along with trustees from various regions of Cumbria. Their vision was to create an organization that would encourage philanthropy and generate new funds to support the people and communities of Cumbria.
Chief Executive Andy Beeforth spoke at the event, highlighting the incredible impact the Foundation has had 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. “Thanks to your support and that of people like you, we have given out more than £65 million and grown our endowed assets to almost £30 million.”
The Foundation has played a crucial role in strengthening and empowering Cumbria’s communities through its grant-making funds and programs. It has also provided support during difficult times, such as the Foot and Mouth disease outbreak in 2001 and the floods in 2005, 2009, and 2015. Additionally, the Foundation’s Winter Warmth Appeal has raised over £500,000 for two consecutive years, providing essential support for older individuals who struggle with the choice between heating and eating during the winter months.
Today, the Foundation manages over 100 grant-making funds on behalf of families and businesses and works with partners such as Sellafield Ltd and the NHS to distribute around £6 million in grants every year across the county.
“The power of philanthropy can change lives,” said Andy. “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 the 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 provide long-term support for voluntary and community organizations in Cumbria.
The Foundation has also partnered with Cumbria Tourism, which has established an Acorn Fund to celebrate its own 50th anniversary. Additionally, a corporate fundraising campaign will be launched in the spring, encouraging people to get active and raise funds for the Cumbria Fund, which supports projects to improve lives across the county through a focus on health and mental wellbeing, life and employability skills, and community cohesion.
For more information on the Acorn Fund, corporate fundraising campaign, or anniversary celebrations, please contact enquiries@cumbriafoundation.org.
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