Anne French Memorial Trust

Charity Number: 254567

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M
Geographic Focus: Norfolk

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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

Email: nigel.whitlam@sky.com

No public website available

Overview

The Anne French Memorial Trust was established in 1963 under the will of Brigadier Frederick George French CBE and registered as a charity in 1969 (Charity Number 254567). 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 one volunteer and maintains 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 Programs

The trust makes grants through trustee discretion rather than formal public programs. Known funding streams include:

  • Clergy Support - General: Ongoing support for clergy within the Diocese of Norwich
  • Clergy Holiday Support: Funding to support clergy holidays (historically averaging £30,000 annually)
  • Norwich Diocesan Mission Fund: Institutional support to the Diocese (£760,200 distributed over a five-year period in past reports)
  • Anne French Memorial Trust PGCE Bursary: £5,000 bursary supporting minoritised ethnic background students 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 organizations
  • Educational support for teacher training (specific bursary program)

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations 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 Barham Usher (The Lord Bishop of Norwich) - Appointed 2019
  • The Ven Steven James Betts - 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.

Contact Administrator: Nigel Whitlam (nigel.whitlam@sky.com)

Application Process and Timeline

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 Organizations: Contact the trust administrator directly at nigel.whitlam@sky.com or phone 01603 629001 to inquire about potential support. Alternatively, contact the Diocese of Norwich general enquiries (01603 880853 or hello@dioceseofnorwich.org) 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 organizations 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. Organizations aligned with diocesan strategic priorities are likely to be favored.
  • 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 established in 1963, 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. Organizations 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 organizations supporting clergy welfare or diocesan mission.
  • Geographic Restriction is Absolute: The trust is explicitly restricted to the Diocese of Norwich and Norfolk. Organizations 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 personalized 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 Administrator First: For organizations that believe they align with the trust's mission, initial contact with the administrator (Nigel Whitlam) 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.

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