Named after the Victorian cook who created her spicy-sweet between a biscuit and cake in 1854, The Sarah Nelson Fund will be managed by Cumbria Community Foundation.
It will issue grants of up to £5,000 to local not-for-profit organisations and groups and prioritise projects that:
- Help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
- Improve education for children and adults
- Encourage creative and sustainable business ideas
- Tackle food poverty.
These four themes reflect the life of Sarah Nelson, who battled homelessness, escaped poverty and hunger through resilience and creativity and who taught local children the alphabet using large letters made from Grasmere Gingerbread®.
“As making a material difference to our fellow citizens’ lives in the county is part of the philanthropic ethos of Grasmere Gingerbread®, we are thrilled that Cumbria Community Foundation will now actively manage our annual charitable donation,” said Andrew Hunter, co-owner of the historic 171-year-old business.
“We cannot think of a better way to honour Sarah Nelson’s wonderful legacy, and we hope that our contribution will help to sustain projects in areas close to our hearts in the months and years ahead.”
Sarah Thompson, Grants & Programmes Officer for Cumbria Community Foundation, expressed her delight that Grasmere Gingerbread® chose to create The Sarah Nelson Fund with her organisation. “We have been the trusted philanthropic partner of businesses across Cumbria for more than 25 years and have a deep understanding of the county’s needs,” she explained.
“We look forward to receiving applications from groups supporting people in the four priority areas for Grasmere Gingerbread® and will make sure this money makes the biggest difference possible.”
The fund is open to charitable organisations, not individuals. Grants will normally be £5,000 or less over one year.
For more information, contact Sarah Thompson on 01900 820821 or email sarah@cumbriafoundation.org.
To apply, visit https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/the-sarah-nelson-fund/.
Left to right, Joanne & Andrew Hunter with Sarah Thompson Cumbria Community Foundation.