Introduction - November 2008

DIRECTOR’S BLOG
Andrew Beeforth’s latest Cumbria Life article
see also the website http://www.cumbrialife.co.uk
November 2008

As one of Cumbria Life’s newest columnists my brief is to share with readers insights into what is happening across the world of charities in Cumbria.

My role as Director of Cumbria Community Foundation provides a wonderful insight into Cumbria’s communities. In the last nine years we’ve given out grants worth more than £10m to over 1,600 local organisations.

I thought I would start by setting the scene. In Cumbria we have 2,400 registered charities. This seems like a huge number, and it is.

Many of the activities and services we enjoy are provided by charities. Stop for a moment and consider life in your town or village. Take away the sports clubs, the church, the village hall or community centre. Then consider where children go for child care and to play. What activities exist for older people and who cares for people when they’re not well?

Many of our best loved institutions are charities including the Theatre by the Lake, the Brewery Arts Centre, the hospices, the air ambulance and our Age Concern groups.

Public giving to charities is estimated to be £9 billion annually. A very large proportion of this giving goes to the big name charities like Oxfam, Save the Children and Cancer Research. However returns to the Charity Commission show charities in Cumbria had an income of £250 million in 2006/07. This is good but the benefits are not spread evenly and they could do so much more if they had the money.

The credit crunch, rise in prices and uncertainty about the economy makes us all consider our personal financial situation. One area that may be easy to cut is our giving to charities. But this is the time when charities can least afford to see a drop in income. Sadly financial problems in households can lead to an array of problems, which thankfully our charities exist to help.

Cumbrians are hugely generous, supporting local and national appeals at a level often far higher than in other parts of the country. Our own Grassroots Endowment Appeal which was launched in Cumbria Life has taken off with £101,000 donated or pledged to the £1m target.

Some may argue that we have too many charities. But why do we have charities? Well people see a need and want to do something about it. Most weeks someone will call into our office seeking support for a new group or project. Our job as a funder is to help explore with them their ideas and nurture them if there’s a genuine need and no one else is already working in the field.

Charities often address emerging needs. They played a huge part in supporting people in 2005. Communities Re-united was born out of the local churches to support victims of the flooding.

In 2001 countless charities responded by providing financial assistance, counselling and emotional support to people facing the consequences of Foot and Mouth Disease.

Local groups spring up to rescue important buildings and preserve valued green spaces. Others are formed by people who have experience of a particular problem.

Our charities provide us with a great deal to celebrate in Cumbria. We should value and cherish the people who work with and for them. Without them our lives would be so much poorer.

Cumbria Grassroots Endowment Challenge Update – Year two begins

The Grassroots Endowment Challenge is seeking to raise money to build permanent grant making funds at the Community Foundation. What’s better is the Government is matching all local donations. These permanent funds are invested and the income used to make grants to local charities – in perpetuity. We welcome donations of all sizes to our main Cumbria Fund and for people able to donate larger sums they can create their own fund.

We’re seeking to raise £1m by March 2011. Year two of the appeal has got off to a good start with a donation of £10,000 from the steel stockists Thomas Graham. Thomas Graham is building a grant fund to support children and young people’s activities throughout Cumbria.

How the scheme works

For every £2 you give the Government will add £1 through the Challenge. If you pay tax and use Gift Aid then £2 becomes £2.56. Add in the match and the fund receives £3.82.

For more visit www.cumbriafoundation.org
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All rights reserved 28/05/2009
Registered charity 1075120