Anne French Memorial Trust
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £229,733 (2024)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly available
- Grant Range: Varies - from individual clergy support to institutional grants
- Geographic Focus: Diocese of Norwich and Norfolk
Contact Details
Address: Trustee Training & Support Ltd, Hill House, Ranworth, Norwich, NR13 6AB
Phone: 01603 629001
No public website or email available
Overview
The Anne French Memorial Trust is a registered charity (Charity Number 254567, registered 1969) with an annual expenditure of approximately £229,733 (year ending April 2024) and total income of £269,355. The trust operates as a grant-making entity within the Diocese of Norwich. The trust's mission focuses on supporting and training clergy, providing assistance to the Norwich Diocesan Board of Finance, and supporting other charitable activities within Norfolk. The trust is governed by three trustees who serve without remuneration, with the Bishop of Norwich serving in a trustee capacity. The trust operates with a policy of distributing substantially all income over the medium term while retaining funds as needed to meet varying annual distribution requirements.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programmes
The trust makes grants through trustee discretion rather than formal public programmes. Known funding streams include:
- Clergy Support - General: Ongoing support for clergy within the Diocese of Norwich
- Clergy Holiday Support: Funding to support clergy holidays
- Norwich Diocesan Mission Fund: Institutional support to the Diocese
- Anne French Memorial Trust PGCE Bursary: £5,000 bursary supporting students from minoritised ethnic backgrounds training as primary school teachers at the University of East Anglia who are either Norfolk residents or UEA students
Priority Areas
- Support and training of clergy within the Diocese of Norwich
- Clergy welfare including holiday support
- Support for activities of the Norwich Diocesan Board of Finance
- Norfolk-based charitable organisations
- Educational support for teacher training (specific bursary programme)
What They Don't Fund
- Organisations outside the Diocese of Norwich and Norfolk area
- Non-charitable purposes
- Activities not aligned with diocesan priorities

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Governance and Leadership
Trustees
The trust is governed by three trustees who serve without any remuneration, payments, or benefits:
- The Rt Revd Graham Usher (The Lord Bishop of Norwich) - Appointed 2019
- The Ven Steven James Betts (Archdeacon of Norfolk) - Appointed 2018 (also serves as trustee of Norwich Diocesan Board of Finance Limited)
- John Stuart Jones - Appointed 2018
Administration
The trust is supported by an administrator and a treasurer. Grant applications are individually considered and approved by the trustees, with the administrator managing the application process.
How to Apply to Anne French Memorial Trust
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process. The Anne French Memorial Trust operates primarily through trustee discretion and within the Diocese of Norwich's internal structures. Grants appear to be awarded based on:
- Trustee identification of needs within the diocese
- Internal diocesan referrals
- Applications managed through the administrator for individual consideration
- Direct relationships with the Diocese of Norwich
For the specific PGCE Bursary at University of East Anglia, applications are made through the university's financial aid process.
For Clergy and Diocesan Organisations: Contact the trust directly at the address above (Hill House, Ranworth, Norwich, NR13 6AB) or phone 01603 629001 to inquire about potential support. Alternatively, contact the Diocese of Norwich as they may facilitate internal referrals to the trust.
Decision Timeline
Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Applications are individually considered and approved by the trustees, suggesting decisions are made on a case-by-case basis rather than fixed review cycles.
Success Rates
Success rates are not publicly available. The trust distributed £229,733 in grants during the year ending April 2024.
Reapplication Policy
Not publicly disclosed.
Application Success Factors
Given the trust's focus and structure, the following factors appear important:
- Geographic Connection: Strong preference for organisations and individuals within the Diocese of Norwich and Norfolk. This is a clearly defined geographic limitation.
- Alignment with Diocesan Priorities: The trust works closely with the Norwich Diocesan Board of Finance and supports diocesan mission activities. Organisations aligned with diocesan strategic priorities are likely to be favoured.
- Clergy Welfare Focus: The trust has a long history of supporting clergy welfare, including general support and holiday funding. Applications demonstrating clergy wellbeing needs may be particularly relevant.
- Established Relationships: With no public application process, having existing relationships with the Diocese of Norwich or being known to the trustees appears to be a practical prerequisite for funding.
- Clear Charitable Purpose: As a trust registered in 1969, it maintains traditional charitable focus on religious and educational purposes within its geographic area.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Not a Public Funder: This trust does not operate an open application process. Organisations outside the Diocese of Norwich internal network are unlikely to secure funding.
- Work Through Diocesan Channels: The most effective route to funding is through connections with the Diocese of Norwich, particularly for organisations supporting clergy welfare or diocesan mission.
- Geographic Restriction is Absolute: The trust is explicitly restricted to the Diocese of Norwich and Norfolk. Organisations outside this area should not pursue this funder.
- Trustee Discretion Drives Decisions: With only three trustees making individual case-by-case decisions, funding is highly personalised rather than formula-driven.
- Limited Transparency: The trust does not publish detailed grant recipient lists or specific funding criteria, making it difficult to identify patterns beyond the broad categories stated in their charitable purposes.
- Contact the Trust Directly: For organisations that believe they align with the trust's mission, initial contact by phone (01603 629001) or letter to the registered address is the appropriate first step to determine if an application would be considered.
- Educational Support Exists: Beyond clergy support, the trust does fund specific educational initiatives like the UEA PGCE bursary, suggesting openness to education-focused proposals within Norfolk.
Similar Funders
These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:
- The Barratt Family Charitable Trust
- The Norfolk Churches Trust Limited
- Lilian Frances Hind Bequest (trustees Of Lady Hind)
- Educational Foundation Of Alderman John Norman
- The R C Snelling Charitable Trust
- The Ranworth Trust 1985
- The Charles Littlewood Hill Trust
- The Kerrison Trust
- The Leslie Mary Carter Charitable Trust
- The Geoffrey Watling Charity
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References
- Charity Commission Register - Anne French Memorial Trust (254567) - Official charity registration
- Charity Commission Contact Information - Anne French Memorial Trust - Contact details and trustee information
- OpenCharities - Anne French Memorial Trust - Charity overview and background
- University of East Anglia - The Anne French Memorial Trust PGCE Bursary - PGCE Bursary details
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