Lake District Foundation

Charity Number: 1174201

Annual Expenditure: £1.0M
Geographic Focus: Cumbria

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,000,000+ (estimated based on recent grant activity)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (2-4 weeks for specific funds)
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £2,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Lake District and Cumbria, England

Contact Details

Website: www.lakedistrictfoundation.org

Email: info@lakedistrictfoundation.org

Phone: 07497 816091

Overview

The Lake District Foundation was established as a charity in August 2017 (charity number 1174201), succeeding Nurture Lakeland which had worked for 23 years raising funds from visitors and the tourism industry. Since its establishment, the foundation has invested over £2.8 million into the region through grant-giving programmes. The charity serves as the main fundraising and grant-making partner for the Lake District National Park Partnership, supporting projects that care for the spectacular landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage of the Lake District and Cumbria. The foundation's mission is to inspire people to care for all aspects of the Lake District while addressing urgent challenges through funding, collaboration, and positive action. Recent recognition includes Chair Keith Ashcroft receiving an MBE in 2024 for services to the environment, and the foundation being selected as one of 12 organisations to develop a proposal for the £50 million Heritage Horizons Awards.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The LDF Fund (main grant programme)

  • Grant amounts vary by project
  • Prioritises high-impact evidence-based projects with measurable and sustainable impact
  • Application method: Online form via website
  • Rolling basis review by grant-making panel

The Real Hedge Fund

  • £1,000 per project maximum
  • Total fund of £7,500
  • Fixed deadline (typically October)
  • Decisions made within one week of deadline
  • For hedgerow creation/improvement and educational projects about hedgerows and woodlands

Low Carbon Lake District Fund (completed 2021-2023)

  • Provided £1.25 million to 92 businesses over three years
  • 60% funding for carbon reduction projects

Booking.com Sustainable Grant Fund (status varies)

  • 50% of project cost, up to £2,000 maximum
  • For small accommodation providers (3-15 bedrooms) in Cumbria
  • Payment made in arrears on project completion

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on five key areas:

  • Climate: Carbon reduction, renewable energy, climate resilience projects
  • Water: Water quality improvement, particularly Lake Windermere and river systems
  • Nature: Habitat restoration, hedgerow and tree planting, species conservation
  • Access and Inclusion: Projects improving access to the Lake District for all communities
  • Heritage: Cultural heritage preservation, World Heritage Site projects, farming heritage

The foundation particularly welcomes projects that:

  • Are creative and innovative
  • Link to the Lake District's World Heritage Inscription
  • Have measurable and sustainable impact
  • Are evidence-based
  • Align with Lake District National Park Partnership aims

What They Don't Fund

The Real Hedge Fund specifically excludes:

  • Work already completed
  • Activities already funded elsewhere
  • Planting of non-native species
  • Projects with no environmental benefit
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Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Chair: Keith Ashcroft MBE

Former Environment Agency Area Director for Cumbria and Lancashire who brought over £100 million in climate resilience investment to the region. Awarded MBE in 2024 for services to the environment. On the foundation's mission: “Please give generously to protect and enhance our wonderful corner of the world!”

CEO: Sarah Swindley

Joined 2023 with over 20 years' senior leadership experience across tourism, environment, health and sport sectors. Previously CEO of Lancashire Women's Centres. On the foundation's purpose: “Our job at the LDF is to inspire people to care for all aspects of the Lake District.”

Treasurer: Peter Hensman OBE

Rural economy leader awarded OBE in 2014 for voluntary services. Owns Ullswater Steamers and Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.

Other Notable Trustees

  • Jodie Mills: CEO of West Cumbria Rivers Trust with nearly 30 years in environmental sector
  • Mike Innerdale: Director of National Trust's North Region
  • Gill Haigh: Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism
  • Andy Airey: Former Director of George Fisher Ltd, Keswick outdoor retailer
  • Gavin Capstick: Chief Executive of Lake District National Park Authority

The board represents diverse expertise across environment, business, tourism, and conservation sectors within Cumbria.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

General LDF Fund Applications:

  • Complete online application form on website
  • Include all required documentation
  • Team offers assistance with applications
  • Contact via email or phone for guidance

Real Hedge Fund:

  • Online application form
  • Fixed annual deadline (typically mid-October)
  • Must demonstrate maintenance commitment for hedgerow projects
  • Projects must be in Cumbria

Decision Timeline

Real Hedge Fund:

  • Grant panel meets approximately one week after deadline
  • Decision letters issued same day as panel meeting
  • Project completion typically within 5-6 months

General LDF Fund:

  • Rolling review by grant-making panel
  • Timeline varies by project scope
  • Applicants notified by email
  • Successful applicants receive grant offer letter with agreement and payment schedule

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. However, the foundation has:

  • Awarded 92 grants through Low Carbon Lake District Fund
  • Supported 80 projects across 58 organisations (£851,350) between 2021-2023
  • Generated more than £2.5 million for local conservation projects overall

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy not explicitly stated on public materials. Applicants advised to contact foundation directly for guidance on unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Evidence and Impact: The foundation consistently emphasizes funding “effective and evidence-based projects” with “measurable and sustainable impact.” Applications should clearly demonstrate how success will be measured and how benefits will continue beyond the funding period.

Partnership Alignment: Projects linking to the Lake District National Park Partnership's aims and the World Heritage Inscription receive particular attention. Understanding the Partnership's strategic priorities strengthens applications.

Innovation and Creativity: The foundation seeks “creative and innovative ideas” rather than standard approaches. Novel solutions to environmental and heritage challenges are welcomed.

Recent Funded Projects (examples of successful applications):

  • Saving Helvellyn's Arctic Alpine Flora
  • Improvements to Dash Beck at Bassenthwaite
  • Tree planting at Mardale Common
  • Low Fell End emergency heritage repairs (Grade II listed farmstead)
  • Lake District Tweeds project (13 new local tweeds using valley-sourced wool)
  • Reedbed Revival Project (water quality, flood reduction, carbon capture)
  • Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Path reconnection after Storm Desmond
  • Fix the Fells pathway repairs on Scafell Pike

Collaborative Approach: As Sarah Swindley states: "This collaboration is about more than raising funds – it's about building a community of people who care and want to make a positive difference to this incredible place." Applications demonstrating partnership working and community engagement are valued.

Leverage Additional Funding: The Low Carbon Lake District Fund's £851,350 in grants unlocked a further £719,020 of private investment. Projects that leverage additional resources or demonstrate match funding strengthen applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus on evidence and measurement: Clearly articulate how your project's impact will be measured and sustained beyond the funding period
  • Connect to World Heritage: Projects linking to the Lake District's World Heritage status receive particular attention
  • Emphasize innovation: The foundation seeks creative approaches rather than standard solutions
  • Demonstrate partnerships: Show collaboration with other organisations and community groups
  • Geographic specificity: Projects must be in Lake District and Cumbria; clearly state location
  • Five priority areas: Ensure your project clearly aligns with at least one of Climate, Water, Nature, Access and Inclusion, or Heritage
  • Contact before applying: The team offers application assistance – use this resource to strengthen your proposal
  • Consider leverage: Projects that unlock additional funding or private investment are particularly attractive

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