GrantRadar

Copeland Community Fund (hosted by Cumberland Council)

Enabling Fund

Grants of up to £10,000 from Copeland Community Fund to help community projects in Copeland (West Cumbria) with development and feasibility work, such as feasibility studies, business planning, surveys, architect and planning fees, consultation and training, so they can take the next step or apply to other funders. It can also provide third-party contributions to FCC Communities Foundation and essential local match funding for National Lottery Heritage Fund or Arts Council bids. Open on a rolling basis since February 2026, with decisions within two weeks. Applicants must speak to the fund team before applying.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £10,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Voluntary or community organisations, registered charities, constituted groups or clubs, not-for-profit companies and social enterprises, and public sector bodies (for non-statutory activity only), for projects benefiting the Copeland area of West Cumbria (the former Copeland borough, now within Cumberland Council; the fund's localities are North East, Mid, South and West Copeland, Whitehaven, and Howgate & Distington)
  • Social enterprises must have at least 3 non-related directors, no one or two directors with significant control, and an asset lock; companies limited by shares that distribute profit, and for-profit businesses, are not eligible
  • Organisations based outside the UK cannot apply

What it funds

Development and viability-assessment activities that help a project develop the next stage of its application or support its application to other funders. Examples (not limited to):

  • Commissioned training to provide essential skills for the project
  • Planning fees
  • Pre-planning architect fees
  • Consultation events
  • Feasibility/viability studies
  • Business planning
  • Structural surveys
  • Energy audits
  • Third-party funding contributions to FCC Communities Foundation (formerly WREN)
  • Essential match funding demonstrating local funding commitment to National Lottery Heritage Fund or Arts Council applications

What it will not fund

  • Faith-based activities (unless there is broader community use)
  • Residential activities outside Cumbria, including expeditions and overseas trips
  • Direct replacement of activities which are a statutory obligation
  • Commercial (for-profit) businesses
  • Social enterprises that do not have 3 non-related directors
  • Social enterprises where one or two directors have significant control over the organisation
  • Social enterprises limited by shares that distribute profit to directors or shareholders
  • Social enterprises with no asset lock in their charitable objectives
  • Continuation funding for a social enterprise's core costs and/or existing activities (unless it can demonstrate significant social value)
  • Refurbishments or new builds that only benefit 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 and vehicles
  • Organisations based outside the UK

How to apply

  1. Contact the Copeland Community Fund team before applying (07825125324 or 07833048986, info@copelandcommunityfund.co.uk) to confirm eligibility
  2. Work with a Fund Development Officer to develop your idea and plans
  3. Download and complete the Funding and Expenditure (budget) spreadsheet and gather any supporting documents
  4. Submit the online application form, selecting 'Enabling Fund (Up to £10k)'

Rolling programme, listed as open from February 2026 with no closing date.

The fund says all applicants should contact the team before applying.

Have ready

  • Funding and Expenditure (budget) spreadsheet, downloadable from the fund's Application Support Documents page

If another organisation is acting as accountable body for your project, it must complete and sign the Accountable Body Declaration and supply copies of its bank statements for the last three months. The fund's development team confirms any other supporting documents needed before you submit.

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