Grant funding for organisations

Last Updated: 18 November 2022

We offer funding opportunities and also guidance and advice to support businesses, community projects and cultural organisations.

Below you will find a range of sources of funding from ourselves and other local and national organisations. 

If you are starting a local project it's a good idea to talk to your local councillors also for any support they can provide. Find your local councillors.

Fairer South Lakeland Community Fund

Town and parish councils and community groups can apply for funding to alleviate financial hardship in their communities. The funding must be spent to benefit the local community, and we expect applicants will work with other funders and community organisations and agencies to maximise benefit.

This fund is now closed.

Locally Important Projects

Locally Important Projects (LIPs) are projects we fund that meet local community needs.

The funding can be used to support the delivery of infrastructure, for example paths, village/town hall restoration and improvements, playground improvements etc.

The Locally Important Projects (LIPs) fund is now closed, we will update this page when funding is available.

Changing Places

Groups can apply for funding to help improve changing facilities for people with disabilities and additional needs. This can support feasibility studies or initial costs for the installation of facilities in line with the standards recommended by Changing Places.

The Changing Places fund is now closed, we will update this page when funding is available.

Business support and grant funding guidance

External grant funding for organisations

Latest external opportunities

  • Tesco Community Grants for charities and community organisations to bid for up to £1,500. Currently looking for applications from those delivering projects that help to tackle food insecurity
  • The Lake District Foundation is offering grants totalling £1 million to community groups and small to medium sized businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Applicants will need to operate or have an impact within the Lake District National Park and can be awarded up to 60% of the project costs, up to a maximum of £20,000. Projects will need to be completed by March 2023
  • CAfS Community Climate Grants have launched a £100,000 funding pot to support local initiatives to raise awareness of climate change and reduce carbon emissions. The funding will contribute to the work of the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership over a five year period