Voluntary, community and faith sector infrastructure funding

Find out about the funding we offer for organisations that support the voluntary sector and how to apply for a grant.

We provide funding to infrastructure organisations that support the Voluntary, Community and Faith (VCF) sector in the Westmorland and Furness area. 

Through the Safe and Strong Communities Community Grant Fund, we'll provide £369,680 grant funding over a three year period. This will run from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029. 

We're now accepting grant applications. The application period started on 1 October 2025 and will end on 30 November 2025.

Who can apply

The fund is open to VCF infrastructure support organisations. 

What we fund

This grant will support core overheads and core work equitably across Westmorland and Furness. The outcomes of this funding will include: 

  • funding support - for example newsletters, one-to-one advice, funding fairs, finding and applying for funding, and training
  • governance support, through one-to-one advice and training
  • relevant training, including safeguarding and awareness
  • support with volunteer recruitment - such as sharing best practice, training, network, brokerage and Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) support
  • volunteer support - by providing volunteer fairs, recruitment sessions and a central reward event
  • VCFS communications, including news, horizon scanning, funding opportunities and events
  • working with organisations to develop their membership offer
  • offer leadership and advocacy of, and within, the VCF sector
  • events to strengthen the voice of the VCFS. This involves bringing VCF sector organisations together, along with us and other statutory partners

How to apply

We must receive your application by Sunday 30 November 2025. We cannot consider applications received after this date. 

Find the guidance information and application form for a VCFS Infrastructure Grant (DOCX , 84KB)

You can send your application and supporting papers to us by email or post.

Email

You can return the form to us by email, to: hannah.turner@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk 

Post

Alternatively, you can print the application form and return it to us by post to:

Hannah Turner 
Project Officer, Strategy Team, Safe and Strong Communities
Westmorland and Furness Council
South Lakeland House 
Lowther Street
Kendal
LA9 4DQ

Information to include with your application

You'll need to provide your organisation's:

  • annual accounts and bank statement
  • proof public (or employee) liability, professional indemnity insurance, or both
  • equality policy or statement
  • safeguarding policy or statement
  • constitution, terms of reference or proof of a formalised structure

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact Hannah Turner:

Email: hannah.turner@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Telephone: 07557 599 845