GOOD causes across Cumbria are being invited to bid for a share of £171,000 from The Cumberland building society.
A special fund has been set up with Cumbria Community Foundation to distribute the money to charities and community groups.
The Cumberland has increased the amount of money it gives to good causes annually to 1.5 per cent of its profits, which this year equates to £171,000.
Chief executive Des Moore said the increase and the decision to work with the foundation showed The Cumberland’s desire to help the communities where it operates.
“We’re keen to make even more of a difference in our communities, and working with Cumbria Community Foundation in this way means we will be able to make larger, strategic contributions to projects that have a longer-lasting impact," said Mr Moore.
“Our purpose is to make a difference to people’s lives and that applies not just to the services we offer, but the part we play in the community. Our support for Active Cumbria’s Cumbria School Games was a great example of the projects we supported last year and clearly made a massive difference to all the children involved.
"As well as the financial contributions we can make to help projects, we are also keen to offer practical help. Many of our people get involved and volunteer their time and we hope they can work with charities to offer a brighter, more positive future to those people in our communities who are in real need."
The Cumberland’s branch managers have been asked to look out for good causes in their catchment areas who will get a share of £25,000 from the fund.
A panel is being set up to award strategic grants of up to £25,000 to improve or maintain the capacity of organisations promoting people's health and wellbeing.
There will also be a range of smaller community grants of up to £5,000 to help improve the life skills, education, employability and enterprise of disadvantaged people, or to support vulnerable, older people.
Annalee Holliday, grants and donor services officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We have supported The Cumberland with its charitable giving since 2011.
“We are delighted to continue this relationship on a much larger scale, making a greater impact. The business is committed to being a good neighbour, supporting the communities in which it operates and helping them reach their full potential. This funding will help local charitable projects do what they do best - tackle the disadvantage that they see on their doorstep.”
The deadline for applications is September 27, ahead of the first panel meeting on October 29. To find out more, email annalee@cumbriafoundation.org or visit http://bit.ly/CumberlandCCF
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