Educational Foundation Of Alderman John Norman

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £320,363 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not published
• Decision Time: 4-8 weeks (quarterly review cycle)
• Grant Range: £500 - £36,000
• Geographic Focus: Old Catton, Norwich, and Norfolk

Contact Details

Website: https://normanfoundation.co.uk

Clerk to the Trustees: Nigel J Hodge

Brown & Co

The Atrium

St Georges Street

Norwich

NR3 1AB

Phone: 01603 629871

Email: nick.saffell@brown-co.com (general enquiries)

Email: peterharbordnormans@gmail.com (contact)

Overview

The Educational Foundation of Alderman John Norman was established by the will of John Norman, a businessman who served as Mayor of Norwich in 1714-15. With an annual income of £328,985 and expenditure of £320,363 (year ending March 2024), the Foundation provides educational funding for children and young people up to age 24 in the Norwich area. The Foundation underwent formal restructuring through Charity Commission Schemes in 1935, 1972, and 1973. The Foundation is governed by 10 trustees, including two clergy members of the Church of England, and operates through a structure that includes the historic Claimants Unity, formed in 1839 to safeguard descendants' rights. All trustees serve without remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates a single grant program with fixed quarterly deadlines:

• Educational Grants: £500 - £36,000 (applications reviewed at trustee meetings in February, June, and October)

Priority Areas

Eligible Beneficiaries:

• Descendants of Alderman John Norman
• Children and young people (ages 4-24) residing in the Parish of Old Catton
• Educational organisations in Old Catton, the City of Norwich, and its immediate suburbs

What They Fund:

• Exhibitions, scholarships, or maintenance allowances for school, university, or other educational establishments
• Financial assistance for outfits, clothing, tools, instruments, or books for those leaving educational establishments
• Capital projects for schools and educational organizations (e.g., facility improvements, equipment)
• Youth engagement programs with educational components
• Recreation and leisure activities with educational purposes
• Educational trips and experiences
• Charitable educational work abroad

Recent Grants Awarded:

• £36,000 to How Hill Trust for construction of educational boat “Alderman Norman 2” (2019)
• £10,250 to 44th Norwich Scout Group for kitchen and toilet facility upgrades
• £5,000 to Mile Cross Primary School for attendance reward program (admission and travel costs)
• £3,990 to Sprowston Youth Engagement Project for Old Catton Teen Cafe first-year costs
• £2,500 to Norwich Synchronised Swimming Club for underwater audio equipment
• £500 to individual for charitable educational work in Ecuador

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Foundation's geographic and age restrictions mean they do not fund:

• Organizations or individuals outside Norwich/Norfolk region
• Projects not serving Old Catton or Norwich areas
• Projects for individuals over age 24
• Non-educational purposes

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (10 members):

• Chair: Mr Christopher D Brown
• Mr Roger Sandall
• Mrs Tracey C Hughes
• Reverend Philip Butcher
• Mr Francis Whymark
• Mr Roy Hughes
• Mr David Nobbs
• Reverend Andrew Parsons
• Timothy G Lawes
• Dr Rachel Thomson

Clerk to the Trustees: N J Hodge

Governance Structure: The Foundation maintains historic governance features including representation from two Church of England clergy members and a trustee nominated by the Claimants Unity (a formal body established in 1839 to safeguard descendants' rights, formalized by the 1935 Scheme).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation uses a traditional postal application process with fixed quarterly deadlines.

Application Requirements:

• Completed application letter
• Organization name and full contact details
• Charity registration status (if applicable)
• Detailed project description
• Full project budget and cost breakdown
• Specific funding request amount
• Details of other funding sources (secured and pending)
• Latest financial accounts

Submission Address:

Nigel J Hodge

Clerk to the Trustees

Educational Foundation of Alderman John Norman

c/o Brown and Co

The Atrium

St Georges Street

Norwich

NR3 1AB

Decision Timeline

Trustee Meeting Schedule:

• February meeting (applications due mid-January)
• June meeting (applications due mid-May)
• October meeting (applications due mid-September)

Application Deadlines: Applications must be received by the Clerk approximately 4-6 weeks before each trustee meeting (mid-January, mid-May, mid-September).

Decision Notification: Decisions are made at quarterly meetings. Applicants can expect to hear within 4-8 weeks of submission deadlines.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The Foundation distributed £320,363 in grants during the year ending March 2024, supporting projects ranging from £500 to £36,000.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not publish a formal reapplication policy. Applicants should contact the Clerk for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Eligibility Criteria: The Foundation emphasizes that applications must answer “YES” to the majority of eligibility questions to be considered. Strong applications clearly demonstrate:

• Educational purpose of the project
• Service to “those in need”
• Benefit to children/young people ages 4-24
• Geographic connection to Old Catton, Norwich, or Norfolk

Diversity of Projects Funded: The Foundation's case studies reveal support for a wide range of educational initiatives—from large capital projects (£36,000 boat) to modest individual grants (£500). This suggests trustees value both transformational infrastructure projects and smaller-scale interventions.

Clear Budget Justification: Successful applications provide detailed cost breakdowns. For example, the Sprowston Youth Engagement Project received exactly £3,990 to cover “all costs for the first year,” indicating precision in budgeting strengthens applications.

Evidence of Need: The Foundation's emphasis on assisting “those in need” means applications should clearly articulate the need being addressed and how the project serves disadvantaged or underserved young people.

Educational Impact: Projects should demonstrate clear educational outcomes. Even non-traditional projects (e.g., synchronised swimming, Scout facilities, youth cafes) succeeded by articulating their educational and developmental benefits.

Local Connection: Strong emphasis on Old Catton and Norwich. Projects with clear geographic ties to these communities appear to fare better.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Apply early: With only three funding rounds per year, missing a deadline means waiting 4 months for the next opportunity—plan submissions well in advance of mid-January, mid-May, and mid-September deadlines
• Geographic fit is crucial: Unless you serve Old Catton, Norwich, or immediate suburbs, your application will likely be ineligible; clearly establish your geographic connection early in the application
• Think broadly about “educational”: The Foundation has funded boats, Scout facilities, youth cafes, and swimming equipment—if you can demonstrate educational value and youth development, traditional educational settings are not required
• Scale matters less than impact: Grants range from £500 to £36,000; don't self-select out based on project size—focus on demonstrating need and educational outcomes
• Budget precision signals credibility: Successful applicants received exact amounts requested, suggesting detailed, justified budgets strengthen applications
• “Those in need” is a key criterion: Applications must demonstrate service to young people facing disadvantage or barriers to educational opportunity
• Personal contact is available: With a named Clerk and accessible email/phone contacts, don't hesitate to reach out with eligibility or process questions before investing time in a full application

References

• Educational Foundation of Alderman John Norman official website: https://normanfoundation.co.uk
• Application guidance: https://normanfoundation.co.uk/apply-for-funding
• Case studies of funded projects: https://normanfoundation.co.uk/case-studies
• About the Foundation: https://normanfoundation.co.uk/about-us
• Foundation history: https://normanfoundation.co.uk/our-history
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/313105
• Wikipedia entry on Alderman Norman's Foundation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alderman_Norman's_Foundation