There are normally 3 meetings each year when the grants are decided. These are towards the end of March, July and November and applicants are advised of the result of their application around the end of that month.

In reaching their decision the Trustees have the benefit of advice from the Advisory Panel which meets some weeks before the Trustees to discuss in detail the applications. The Advisory Panel, under the chairmanship of Alan Forsyth, is made up of people resident in Cumbria and drawn from all parts of the County who have wide experience and knowledge of the charitable sector.