THE Boardmasters charitable initiative is going into partnership to enhance its impact across the country.

Boardmasters Foundation is partnering with Cornwall Community Foundation to manage its grant-making programme and enhance local impact. The partnership will strengthen the foundation's ability to support local groups and initiatives that embody the festival's commitment to culture and community across Cornwall.

The Boardmasters Foundation has been dedicated to giving back to the local communities that host the festival each August.

The foundation will benefit from expert knowledge, robust governance, and established connections with grassroots organisations across the county by joining forces with Cornwall Community Foundation, which is the largest grant-maker and a trusted partner to local communities for over 20 years. The partnership represents a significant step forward in the foundation's mission to support projects that promote surfing, music, creativity, education, and Cornish culture, whilst enhancing the lives of individuals in local communities.

Cornwall Community Foundation will provide professional grant management services, ensuring that funding reaches the organisations and individuals who can make the greatest difference.

The Boardmasters Foundation raised more than £120,000 in 2025 bringing the total to nearly £700,000 since its inception in 2017. Fifty two charities, projects and organisations received support during the 2024 cycle alone.

The growing list of beneficiaries includes The Wave Project, Newquay Train Station public toilets, Concrete Waves, multiple public murals, the England Para Surf Team, Newquay Foodbank, the Nansledan Arts Festival, Cornwall Pride, 11 local schools, the Newquay Museum Group and Mawgan Porth Village Hall.

Rob Spring, festival director of Boardmasters, said: "We're incredibly proud of what the Boardmasters Foundation has achieved, and this partnership with Cornwall Community Foundation marks an exciting new chapter.

“Boardmasters has always been about more than just a festival – it's about celebrating and supporting the communities that make Cornwall so special. By working with Cornwall Community Foundation, we can ensure our funding has even greater impact, reaching the grassroots organisations and initiatives that truly make a difference to local people's lives."

Tamara Sherston-Baker, the development director at Cornwall Community Foundation, said: "We're delighted to be working with Boardmasters Foundation to support communities across Cornwall. Boardmasters has a long-standing commitment to giving back locally, and we're excited to help them amplify that impact. Our experience in grant-making and deep connections with local groups mean we can ensure funding reaches those who need it most. This partnership is a perfect match – combining Boardmasters' passion for Cornwall's culture and communities with our expertise in connecting funding to grassroots action."

The Boardmasters Foundation supports individuals, groups, charities, and organisations that align with two key pillars: Culture and Community.

Funding is focused on projects based both in the immediate vicinity of the festival site – including Newquay, Porth, Whipsiderry, Tregurrian, Watergate Bay, and Fistral as well as those operating more broadly across Cornwall.

The foundation prioritises initiatives include culture recipients or organisations that are heavily involved with and promote surfing, music, creativity, education, and/or Cornish culture.

Community projects that enhance the lives of individuals in the local community. Special consideration will be given to projects involved with and supporting diversity, inclusion and improving and raising awareness of societal issues.

Applications will open in the New Year. Cornwall Community Foundation will host a free online funding workshop to support local groups in preparing strong applications, which will be held on December 15. The workshop will provide guidance on the application process, eligibility criteria, and tips for crafting successful funding proposals.

Register at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cornwallcommunityfoundation1/1919333

For more information about the Boardmasters Foundation, visit: www.boardmasters.com/boardmasters-foundation

For more information about Cornwall Community Foundation, visit: www.cornwallcommunityfoundation.com