A GRANT-GIVING foundation that has bestowed £11.5 million of donations on worthwhile Cumbrian causes is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the launch of an exciting new fund.

Cumbria Community Foundation’s 10th Anniversary Fund is aimed at strengthening local links by providing £10,000-worth of funding for new community events.

From an action-packed sports day, to a tea party for the elderly, a village fair or a teddy bear’s picnic –all CCF asks is that the events bring together all aspects of the community.

Andy Beeforth, director of CCF, said the foundation would provide each event with a CCF 10th anniversary cake to enable communities across Cumbria to share in its birthday celebrations.

“I’m delighted that we’re able to launch our anniversary celebrations with a grant making fund that seeks to contribute to what we want in Cumbria –strong communities,” he said. “The activities supported through the fund will contribute to building new traditions, bringing people together and sparking new ideas.”

Founded in 1999, CCF is one of the fastest growing community foundations in the country.

Over the years, it has made more than 4,000 grant awards to non-profit organisations and individuals and coordinates 40 funding streams from businesses, central government, private donors and trust funds, such as the Holehird Trust.

CCF funding and assistance has been instrumental in the refurbishment of countless village halls, the development of sports and IT training sessions for people with disabilities, the creation of music projects for young people and hundreds of other worthwhile causes.

Mr Beeforth explained that donors could specify how their funding is spent, adding: “It tends to be smaller grass roots organisations that benefit from what we do. I can honestly say, hand on heart, that if you looked across South Lakeland there would not be one community that has not benefited from one of our grants.”

CCF funding also helps relevant bodies reach out to people in great need, such as rape victims, teenage parents, young carers and the victims of the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak and the 2005 floods.

Elaine Wise, development director at CCF, explained: “We know that often people who are most in need are not necessarily the ones who will put the strongest application form together. Those are the people that we need to reach with our funding.”

Like many other grant-giving organisations, the credit crunch has served a double blow to CCF, with a decrease in donations and an increase in demand.

“What we hope is that when the going gets tough people will be more inclined to think about helping people on their own doorstep,” said Ms Wise. That is what people tend to do in a crisis, they look closer to home and the things that are closest to their hearts.”

The 10th Anniversary Fund is CCF’s latest bid to connect with the communities it serves and lift people’s spirits in uncertain times.

Grants of between £500 and £1,000 are available and priority will be given to new activities, which, if successful will be repeated without grant aid.

The deadline for the first batch of applications is April 3.

For more information contact 01900-825760 or visit www.cumbriafoundation.org.