Projects that encourage young people to take action on the issues that matter to them can apply for up to £5,000 through the #iwill Fund.
Administered by Cumbria Community Foundation, the #iwill Fund creates opportunities for skills development for young people including social action through campaigning, fundraising and volunteering, all of which make a positive difference to their communities. Projects could be online, extra-curricular, informal or in already created groups.
Over the last two years, the #iwill Fund has awarded almost £180,000 and supported 40 projects in Cumbria, including Give a Day to the City in Carlisle, Cumbria Deaf Association, Drop Zone Youth Projects in Barrow, Eden Rivers Trust, South Lakeland Carers and The Colourful North in West Cumbria.
The #iwill Fund was set up by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and The National Lottery Community Fund. This year in Cumbria, it is supported by property firm, BEC, which has donated £25,000 in match-funding to support projects in West Cumbria as part of its Giving:BEC initiative.
BEC’s CEO Michael Pemberton, said: “We are acutely aware of the role our business plays in our local communities, and are proud of the impact we have made to date. Giving:BEC gives us the framework to build on our achievements and help further improve the lives of local people.
“#iwill aligns well with our social impact aspirations and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the Community Foundation and across the regions where we have an active presence, while providing a more efficient and targeted approach to our community funding.”
Annalee Holliday, Grants & Donor Services Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “Young people have enormous potential to make a positive change in their communities. We want to fund enjoyable projects that build and share skills and demonstrate positive impact on the wider community including simple, basic things like making new friends, trying out new activities and improving life skills.
“We’re proud to support local groups working with the next generation of volunteers, campaigners and activists who want to make a difference.”
To find out more visit: https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/iwill-fund or contact the grants team on 01900 825760.
