Friends of the Lake District has been giving grants to help the environment for over 70 years. The first grant we gave was in 1943 for the purchase of Hobcarton Crag. Since that time, with the help of funding from our benefactor Mr Kirkby, we have contributed to over 600 projects throughout Cumbria. We’ve helped to fund school nature areas, major woodland creation, events that provide opportunities for people to discover something new about the natural environment and the purchase of land for everyone to enjoy in the future.

Impacts of our Landscape Grant Scheme:

• over 600 grants awarded to help enhance and safeguard the landscape, environment and cultural heritage of Cumbria
• getting young people involved in the environment through school wildlife gardens
• over £1 million spent on looking after and improving the landscape of Cumbria and the Lake District by the Friends, with local communities and other partners
• Supporting constituted community groups, charities, not for profit organisations and schools in running innovative opportunities for people and communities to get outside, discover and enjoy something new about the natural environment

The grant funds small scale projects and works that will conserve and enhance the landscape (and within that flora and fauna, cultural heritage), connect people with it and aid their enjoyment of it. Projects must demonstrate a clear and positive benefit to the landscape of Cumbria.

Support is open to charitable organisations, voluntary and community groups, schools, social enterprises and local councils or conservation agencies. There are no application deadlines as the grant is open all year round.