Investment in Cumbria

The Society has a long tradition of making research grants to individuals and organisations that relate to Cumbrian history and archaeology.  Increasingly over the past decade the Society has invested in specific projects, over periods of up to three years, as well as one-off projects where single sums were requested. 

Changes to the management of the Society’s investments mean that the annual income drawn down from investments is more predictable. As a consequence, the Society is better able to make forward commitments, confident that it will have the means to support them.  The Council’s agreed policy is that the annual drawdown should be used: first, to support regular Society activity; and secondly to invest in projects or organisations within Cumbria (Cumberland, and Westmorland and Furness from 1 April 2023) whose objects are consistent with those of the CWAAS.

The scheme is run on the following terms.

  1. That each year a quarterly drawdown shall be agreed, to be used for the running of the Society and for special schemes that include Investment in Cumbria, and any existing external commitments confirmed.  
  2. That the Society shall retain the ability to vary or cancel the scheme if external market conditions or other unforeseen circumstances require it to do so.
  3. That all bids for funding shall meet the due diligence procedures already agreed by the Council, as follows:
    1. Grants will be made in accordance with the charitable objects of the Society as approved by the Charity Commission, and represent an investment in Cumbria and its people.
    2. The type of organisations in which the Society invests should have charitable objectives that are aligned with those of the CWAAS and which operate within Cumbria. The relevant organisations are likely to be charitable, but may exceptionally be publicly funded or commercial.
    3. A geographical spread across the County will be a consideration in making decisions.
    4. The required outcomes as a result of the funding should be stated, i.e. the benefits to the identified groups, or to learning and education, or to a particular branch of the Society’s objects, and how they contribute to the Society’s public benefit.
    5. Applications in alignment with the Society’s Research Framework (q.v.) will be looked at more favourably.
    6. Due diligence should include financial accounts, governance arrangements, independent referees, other funding sources to which the applying body has access, and the applicant’s track record on its management of significant funding.
  4. That the maximum sum requested may be up to £7,000 per project per year, and very exceptionally higher.
  5. That individual agreements shall be entered into between Society and applicant for each grant that is made, including reporting requirements. The Society shall reserve the right to withhold payments if the terms of such agreements are not fulfilled.
  6. That the closing date for the receipt of proposals each year shall be 1 November, in order for funding to commence at the beginning of the next financial year (currently 1 February). The Society shall have the ability to consider proposals submitted at other times of year if exceptional circumstances require more immediate action.
  7. That internal investment in the work of the Society shall normally be considered as capital expenditure from reserves and shall lie outwith this policy.
  8. That the scheme shall be advertised on the Cumbria Past web site, in News, and at each annual general meeting, as well as by other means from time to time.

Applications for support should be sent to Marion McClintock, General Secretary, to general.secretary@cumbriapast.com or to Westlands, Westbourne Drive, Lancaster LA1 5EE. Enquiries in advance of formal applications will be welcomed.  There is no application form, but applicants should:

  • demonstrate consonance of the application with the objects of the CWAAS;
  • describe the benefits to the institution concerned and to its members of the bid and how it contributes to the history and culture of Cumbria;
  • accompany the bid with appropriate governance and financial information (see 3(f) above);
  • confirm their willingness if funded to accept the terms of the scheme as set out above.

24th August 2025

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