COMMUNITY DONATIONS
We believe we have a unique role within our local communities where our responsibility extends beyond simply providing our members with great value financial products and services.
Our aim is simple...
To make a genuine difference to our local communities by supporting them in the same way they’ve supported us for over 167 years.
Each year, we donate over £100,000 to a variety of good causes which include local charities, neighbourhood groups, schools and voluntary organisations.
In addition to our own community work, we provide an annual donation to Cumberland Building Society Charitable Foundation, which is run by Cumbria Community Foundation. Functioning as an independent body, the Foundation was set up in 1998 to focus on assisting local charities through their own application process. Each year we support the Foundation by making a substantial donation.
The requests we receive are all considered individually on a regular basis. We try to support a wide variety of projects benefitting all areas and aspects of our communities. To help us make our decisions, we look at three specific criteria:
- Health & Wellbeing - Does the request offer a physical and/or social benefit to those involved?
- Vulnerability – Does the request provide a clear benefit to vulnerable people, either directly or indirectly, via local support groups and organisations?
- Financial Education – Does the request support the improvement of financial literacy?
APPLYING FOR FUNDING
Regardless of the size of the initiative we support, our aim is to help make a real difference.
There are certain exceptions.
We generally don’t provide funding for:
- Organisations outside of our operating area (see below);
- Applications which have received a donation in the last six to twelve months;
- Trips and holidays;
- Events that have already occurred;
- Sensitive, controversial or harmful requests, or those that could be a conflict of interest
- Political or pressure organisations;
- Running costs including salaries and capital expenditure;
- Individuals further education/tuition/course fees.
- Cumbria (all CA and LA postcodes)
- South-West Scotland (all DG postcodes and TD9)
- West Northumberland (NE45-49)
- Preston area of North Lancashire (all PR, FY, LA AND BB1-2 and BB5-7)
RECENT DONATIONS & ACTIVITIES - HEALTH & WELLBEING
We’re really excited to be working alongside the Cumberland FA with this initiative.
It’s brilliant to see the array of talent coming from youngsters across the County every year and the level of enthusiasm they show for sport. However, what's great is that the initiative isn’t all about sport. It also provides alternative opportunities for those young people currently not engaged in competitive sport to get involved in a variety of different ways.
As in previous years, they even managed to organise the sunshine, which was brilliant!
We had so much fun on the day, with over 50 team members and their families taking part, as well as a group of volunteers on the day who were more than happy to help with the paint throwing!
We're already excited for next year!
RECENT DONATIONS & ACTIVITIES - VULNERABILITY
Recently, she visited the team from Active Cumbria with her Dementia Friends Champion hat on to deliver a Dementia Friends Information Session.
But what is Dementia Friends? It's a social action movement that aims to increase understanding of dementia and inspire people to take action to support people affected by dementia in their community - no matter how big or small the action maybe.
For more details on becoming a Dementia Friend, you can email Becky at communityfund@cumberland.co.uk
They are committed to woodland management and conservation and use surplus wood within their local communities with the aim of trying to alleviate fuel poverty in the area.
They recently reached out to us for a community donation for a treehog trolley. We weren't quite sure what this was at first, but we've since learned its a piece of equipment which helps support the carrying of the heavy logs/surplus wood.
We're pleased to have been able to help a group which is helping others in the local community.
It's amazing to see the support for these local organisations and charities who really do benefit from volunteers, thank you to everyone who attended and signed up to help local organisations.
We're looking forward to helping both charities in their work supporting those affected by mental illness across our region throughout the year. This started back in May, when thirty guys from across our business areas came together, in a 'clash of Cumberland titans' charity football match.
The two teams got into the spirit of the night, with a little 'friendly banter', raising £380 for Mind.
Well done to all involved, and a special thanks to the team down at Carlisle United Football Club for having us at Brunton Park for the night.
RECENT DONATIONS & ACTIVITIES - FINANCIAL EDUCATION
It's the third year we've supported this event and Jack Green, one of our branch managers and Jill Johnston, our HR Controller, went along to the fantastic event which celebrated the achievements of their students, as well as recognising the commitment and dedication shown by them too.
Well done to everybody involved.
We really care about internet safety, and we were delighted to donate Barney & Echo books to the school so that the children can keep learning about these important issues.
But our involvement doesn't stop at making monetary donations...
We also love to get our hands dirty and get involved!
Whether it's organising a delicious bake sale or a spot of gardening, our teams are fantastic when it comes to supporting and helping our local communities.
Each year, we offer everyone the opportunity to take a community day, the chance to go out and spend time supporting a charity or organisation of their choice with others from their own team, individually or even join forces with others across the business, not only a good way to help a local good cause, but a great way to get to know team mates better outside of the office environment.
What's brilliant to see when people use their community day is how much this benefits them and the people they are helping. It's definitely something we're really proud of!
If your organisation is looking for volunteers, get in touch by emailing our Community Team and see if it's something we maybe able to help with.
Our Community Days
Here's just a few examples of some of our recent community days.
We think the hut looks fantastic and has been totally transformed from all of the hard work.
Unfortunately, they had one little mis-hap and broke the spade, which we're very sorry about and we'll make sure it's replaced!
The Games and the brilliant work that Active Cumbria do throughout the year provide a fantastic opportunity for Cumbrian school children to take part in friendly but competitive events.
Hazel and Heather, Valuers from our Sales & Lettings team took advantage of their community day to volunteer at the Active Cumbria School Games Final.
Our Fundraising Activities
We also love to get involved regularly with a wide a variety of fundraising activities to help local good causes within our communities.
The reason why we do take part each year is not only to have a little fun, but to help raise money for CFM Cash for Kids, which helps 1,000s of disabled and disadvantaged children from across our region every year.
The 20 challenge is a 20 mile walk over 10 beautiful Lake District fells, and was organised to raise money for the hospice's counselling and nursing services for patients with life threatening illnesses.
Fantastic efforts from everyone who participated in the event, with the funds raised being used to support this fantastic charity, which so many people will benefit from.
The event, was organised by Temple Heelis to raise money for the Brathay Trust, a fantastic charity based in South Cumbria and was in aid of Matt Campbell, the local chef who sadly passed away after he took part in the London Marathon earlier this year.
The aim was to raise vital funds for Brathay, who work with hundreds of children, young people and families from across our region every year to help inspire them to engage positively within their local communities.
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