Alderman Newton's Educational Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £183,027 (year ending March 2025)
• Grant Range: Up to £5,000 (typically under £500 for smaller grants)
• Decision Time: 4-8 weeks (monthly committee meetings)
• Geographic Focus: Diocese of Leicester (City of Leicester and most of Leicestershire)
• Age Limit: Under 25 years old (individuals)
• Application Method: Rolling basis with monthly committee meetings

Contact Details

Address: The Clerk to the Trustees, Alderman Newton's Educational Foundation, 20A Millstone Lane, Leicester LE1 5JN

Phone: 0116 222 2200

Email: info@charity-link.org / trustadmin@charity-link.org

Website: http://www.anef.org.uk

Pre-application Support: Available by phone or email to confirm meeting dates, check eligibility, and discuss applications

Overview

Founded in 1760 by Alderman Gabriel Newton of Leicester, this historic foundation has been supporting education in the Leicester Diocese for over 260 years. Gabriel Newton, a prominent civic leader who served as Leicester's Mayor in 1732, devoted his considerable fortune to “the Christian education of young people” after losing his only surviving son at age 18. Today, the foundation manages an annual expenditure of approximately £183,000, distributed between individual grants to young people under 25 and project grants to schools. With 13 trustees and administrative support from Charity Link, the foundation maintains its founder's vision while adapting to modern educational needs. The foundation operates on a rolling application basis with monthly Education Committee meetings, making it relatively accessible for urgent educational needs. Its geographic focus remains the Diocese of Leicester, broadly covering Leicester City and most of Leicestershire.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Grants: Up to £5,000 (typically under £500)

• Educational and vocational training costs including course fees, accommodation, travel, materials, and equipment
• Professional entry support (uniforms, tools, equipment for apprenticeships and vocational training)
• Educational trips and visits
• Arts and music education
• Support for Church of England religious instruction
• Application Method: Rolling basis - download application form from website and submit 2-3 months before course start (but not more than 6 months in advance)

School Grants: Amount not specified

• Projects that fall outside standard state education provision
• Examples include outdoor learning spaces, sensory facilities, spiritual artworks, and subsidized trips for disadvantaged students
• Application Method: Rolling basis - apply at least 3 months before project start date

Priority Areas

For Individuals:

• Young people under 25 in financial need
• Those normally resident in the Diocese of Leicester (minimum 2 years residency)
• Refugees/asylum seekers with leave to remain in the UK who meet residency criteria
• Educational advancement and vocational training leading to employment

For Schools:

• State-funded schools within Leicester City
• Church of England schools in the Diocese of Leicester
• Projects enhancing educational opportunities beyond the standard curriculum

What They Don't Fund

For Schools:

• Equipment or costs normally met from the school budget set by local education authorities or Department for Education
• Core staff salaries and teaching costs
• Routine maintenance and operational expenses
• Voluntary aided school governing body capital liability (10%)

For Individuals:

• Retrospective funding (applications must be submitted before costs are incurred)
• School fees (except in exceptional circumstances with clearly identified special needs)
• Students resident in Leicester/Leicestershire only for study purposes with parental homes elsewhere
• Overseas students (except refugees/asylum seekers with leave to remain)

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a Board of 13 Trustees who receive no remuneration. An Education Committee reads all applications and makes recommendations to the Board. The Trustees meet three times per year, while the Education Committee typically meets monthly to review applications.

Administrative services are provided by Charity Link, who handle day-to-day correspondence and support applicants through the process.

The foundation has declared policies for complaints handling, conflicting interests, investment, risk management, and safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries. The governing document is a Scheme of Ministry of Education dated 21 February 1957, as amended by Section 74 Resolution dated 5th April 2006, and further amended on 10 March 2020.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Individuals:

• Completed application form
• Course confirmation letter from education/training provider (or appointment letter if applying for job start-up costs)
• Three independent reference letters from your named referees (template available)
• Income evidence for all household members you live with (P60s, last 3 months' wage slips, Self Assessment Tax Returns if self-employed, benefit award letters if applicable)
• Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form (optional)

1. Submit by post to: The Clerk to the Trustees, Alderman Newton's Educational Foundation, 20A Millstone Lane, Leicester LE1 5JN

Critical Notes:

• Applications must be submitted at least one week before the monthly committee meeting (call 0116 222 2200 to confirm dates)
• Course fees and accommodation fees are paid directly to the education/training establishment - provide accurate payee details
• The Education Committee may request a Zoom interview before making a decision
• For courses starting in September/October, contact the foundation immediately regarding July meeting deadlines

For Schools:

1. Submit to the same address as above

Decision Timeline

• Education Committee: Meets monthly to review applications
• Board of Trustees: Meets three times per year to approve recommendations
• Typical timeframe: 4-8 weeks from submission to decision (depending on committee meeting schedule)
• Application deadline: Usually one week prior to the monthly committee meeting
• Notification: Foundation will write to applicants with the decision
• Payment: Grants paid by cheque or online payment directly to education providers where applicable

Advice: For time-sensitive applications, contact the foundation immediately at 0116 222 2200 or trustadmin@charity-link.org to discuss timing and upcoming meeting dates.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented on the website or in public materials. Contact the foundation directly for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirements:

• Apply early: Submit 2-3 months in advance to align with monthly committee meetings. Last-minute applications may miss meeting cycles.
• Demonstrate financial need: Provide comprehensive income evidence for all household members. The foundation specifically supports those “in need of financial assistance.”
• Establish residency: Must have lived in the Diocese of Leicester for at least 2 years (or have a parent who meets this criterion). If unsure whether you qualify geographically, call 0116 222 2200 for advice.
• No retrospective funding: Applications must be submitted before costs are incurred. This is a firm policy.
• Complete all documentation: Missing references or course confirmation letters will delay your application. The foundation requires three independent reference letters.

For Individual Applicants:

• Ensure your course confirmation letter clearly states your place is confirmed
• Ask referees well in advance - you need three reference letters submitted with your application
• Provide accurate payment details if fees should be paid directly to your institution
• Be prepared for a potential Zoom interview with the Education Committee
• Consider applying for the full range of costs (fees, accommodation, travel, materials) rather than just one element
• The foundation values vocational training and pathways to employment, not just academic study

For School Applicants:

• Clearly demonstrate how the project goes beyond standard state education provision
• Show how the project aligns with the foundation's educational mission
• Provide a detailed budget and timeline
• Include evidence of need, particularly for projects supporting disadvantaged students
• Projects supporting spiritual development or Christian education may align well with the foundation's historical Anglican roots

Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

• Applying too close to course/project start date
• Submitting incomplete income documentation
• Applying as an overseas student or someone only temporarily resident for study
• Requesting funding for costs already incurred
• For schools: requesting funding for routine operational costs or standard curriculum delivery

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Historic foundation with enduring mission: Over 260 years of supporting education in Leicester, with modern flexibility to fund diverse educational and vocational pathways
• Rolling applications with monthly decisions: Monthly Education Committee meetings mean you don't have to wait for annual deadlines, but timing is critical - apply 2-3 months in advance
• Strict geographic boundaries: Must be resident in the Diocese of Leicester (Leicester City and most of Leicestershire) for at least 2 years - verify eligibility before investing time in application
• No retrospective funding: Plan ahead and apply before incurring costs - this policy is non-negotiable
• Financial need is central: This is not a merit-based scholarship but a needs-based grant - comprehensive income evidence is essential
• Three references required: Start early securing your references as all three letters must be submitted with your application
• Direct payment to institutions: For course and accommodation fees, the foundation pays providers directly - ensure accurate payment details
• Accessible and supportive: Foundation staff welcome calls to discuss eligibility, timing, and application queries - use this resource at 0116 222 2200

References

• Alderman Newton's Educational Foundation - Official Website -
• How to Apply - ANEF -
• Who Can Apply - ANEF -
• What We Do - ANEF -
• The History of Alderman Newton's Educational Foundation -
• Charity Commission Register - ANEF (527881) -
• Alderman Newton's Educational Foundation - Charity Link -