Gilbert Hannam Education Foundation

Charity Number: 1159447

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £90,462 (2023)
  • Annual Income: £86,368 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Midhurst, West Sussex
  • Beneficiary Focus: Current students and alumni of Midhurst Rother College
  • Registered Charity Number: 1159447

Contact Details

Address: Cedar Cottage, Fridays Hill, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 3DX

Phone: 01428 653807

Related Website: Midhurst Rother College - Gilbert Hannam Education Foundation

Charity Commission: Register Entry 1159447

Overview

The Gilbert Hannam Education Foundation was registered as a charitable trust on 2 December 2014, though it continues a legacy dating back to 1672 when Gilbert Hannam founded a free school for 12 poor Protestant boys in Midhurst. The Foundation, jointly with West Sussex County Council, owns the land on which Midhurst Rother College is built and administers endowments for the benefit of the college, its students, and alumni.

With an income of £86,368 and expenditure of £90,462 in the year ending 31 August 2023, the Foundation supports educational opportunities for students in financial need. The trustees have recently finalized the sale of the final development plot in the Midhurst town site and are considering how to utilize the increased funds to further support the Foundation's charitable aims. The Foundation is governed by a trust deed dated 6 September 2011 and managed by seven trustees who serve without remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs and Awards

The Foundation provides several types of support to students:

  • Gilbert Hannam Essay Prize: An annual essay competition judged anonymously by the Foundation trustees
  • Tom Smith Art Prize: Annual art award for students
  • Hyman and Lucas Travel Bursaries: Travel awards to enable students to undertake educational expeditions (past recipients have traveled to Venice and Naples)
  • Sixth Form Progress Awards: Awards recognizing academic achievement
  • Student Bursaries: Financial assistance for students in need
  • College Department Support: Grants to college departments for educational items, services, and facilities
  • Gilbert Hannam Day Sponsorship: The largest single grant supports the annual Gilbert Hannam Day celebrations

Priority Areas

The Foundation's charitable objects are clearly defined in priority order:

  1. Provision of items, services, and facilities for Midhurst Rother College - The primary object is supporting the school itself
  2. Financial assistance for current students - Persons currently attending the school who are in need of financial assistance
  3. Financial assistance for alumni - Persons who have previously attended the school and require educational support

The Foundation focuses on education and training, supporting children and young people through grant-making activities.

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation does not provide support to:

  • Individuals who have no connection to Midhurst Rother College
  • Schools or educational institutions other than Midhurst Rother College
  • Purposes outside of education and training
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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by seven trustees who collectively oversee grant-making decisions and the management of the endowment. The Chair of Trustees is Gill Welsman, supported by fellow trustees including Alexa Dugan and Christopher Hunt.

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, ensuring that all funds are directed toward the Foundation's educational mission. The trustees meet regularly to consider applications and manage the Foundation's investments and property holdings.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation does not operate a formal public application process. Instead, applications are managed internally through Midhurst Rother College:

For Individual Students:

  • Students seeking financial support should apply through their Head of Year for their respective year group
  • Students seeking support for specific trips or activities should apply through their trip leader
  • The college's Head of Year system ensures that each student year group has oversight for emotional well-being and personal development

For College Departments:

  • College departments can submit applications directly to the Foundation trustees for items, services, or facilities that benefit students

For Essay and Art Prizes:

  • The Essay Prize submissions are put forward anonymously and judged by the Foundation trustees
  • Details about entering these competitions are managed through the college

Decision Timeline

The Foundation's main annual event is Gilbert Hannam Day, held each year on or around 17 March (the anniversary of Gilbert Hannam's death in 1677). This is when major awards and prizes are typically announced and presented. The day includes:

  • A traditional church service at St Mary Magdalene and St Denys, Midhurst for Year 11 and Year 13 students
  • An awards ceremony where endowments, prizes, and bursaries are presented

Students should work with their Heads of Year well in advance of this date to ensure applications can be considered.

Application Success Factors

Since the Foundation works exclusively with Midhurst Rother College, success in securing support depends on:

For Student Applicants:

  • Demonstrated financial need - The Foundation's primary criteria is to assist “persons who are in need of financial assistance”
  • Connection to the college - Priority is given first to current students, then to alumni
  • Working through official channels - Applications should come through Heads of Year or trip leaders rather than directly to trustees
  • Educational purpose - All support must be for educational advancement

For Prize Competitions:

  • Anonymous judging - The Essay Prize is judged anonymously, emphasizing merit over identity
  • Quality of work - Prizes are awarded based on excellence in the specific discipline (essay writing, art)

For Department Applications:

  • Benefit to students - Proposals should clearly demonstrate how items, services, or facilities will benefit students
  • Alignment with educational mission - Projects should support the educational aims of the college

The Foundation maintains the spirit of its founder, Gilbert Hannam, who established the original school to provide education for those who might otherwise not have access to it. Applications that demonstrate genuine need and educational merit align best with this historic mission.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Exclusive to Midhurst Rother College - This Foundation only supports current students, alumni, and departments of Midhurst Rother College; it is not open to other organizations or individuals
  • No direct application - There is no public application form; students must apply through their Head of Year or trip leaders at the college
  • Financial need is paramount - The Foundation's object specifically mentions “persons who are in need of financial assistance”
  • Growing resources - With recent property sales, the Foundation is considering how to expand support for its charitable aims
  • Historic legacy - The Foundation continues a 350-year tradition of educational support dating back to 1672
  • Annual celebration - Gilbert Hannam Day (around 17 March) is the main annual event when prizes and awards are presented
  • Travel and enrichment - Past awards have included travel bursaries enabling educational expeditions to European destinations

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References

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Gilbert Hannam Education Foundation fund?

Grant Programs and Awards The Foundation provides several types of support to students: Gilbert Hannam Essay Prize: An annual essay competition judged anonymously by the Foundation trustees Tom Smith Art Prize: Annual art award for students Hyman and Lucas Travel Bursaries: Travel awards to enable students to undertake educational expeditions (past recipients have traveled to Venice and Naples) Sixth Form Progress Awards: Awards recognizing academic achievement Student Bursaries: Financial assistance for students in need College Department Support: Grants to college departments for educational items, services, and facilities Gilbert Hannam Day Sponsorship: The largest single grant supports the annual Gilbert Hannam Day celebrations Priority Areas The Foundation's charitable objects are clearly defined in priority order: Provision of items, services, and facilities for Midhurst Rother College - The primary object is supporting the school itself Financial assistance for current students - Persons currently attending the school who are in need of financial assistance Financial assistance for alumni - Persons who have previously attended the school and require educational support The Foundation focuses on education and training, supporting children and young people through grant-making activities.

How much funding does Gilbert Hannam Education Foundation provide?

Gilbert Hannam Education Foundation provides grants, with total annual giving of approximately £90,462 (2023).

How do I contact Gilbert Hannam Education Foundation?

Address: Cedar Cottage, Fridays Hill, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 3DX Phone: 01428 653807 Related Website: Midhurst Rother College - Gilbert Hannam Education Foundation Charity Commission: Register Entry 1

Is Gilbert Hannam Education Foundation a registered charity?

Yes, Gilbert Hannam Education Foundation is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 1159447).

How do I apply to Gilbert Hannam Education Foundation?

How to Apply The Foundation does not operate a formal public application process. Instead, applications are managed internally through Midhurst Rother College: For Individual Students: Students seeking financial support should apply through their Head of Year for their respective year group Students seeking support for specific trips or activities should apply through their trip leader The college's Head of Year system ensures that each student year group has oversight for emotional well-being and personal development For College Departments: College departments can submit applications directly to the Foundation trustees for items, services, or facilities that benefit students For Essay and Art Prizes: The Essay Prize submissions are put forward anonymously and judged by the Foundation trustees Details about entering these competitions are managed through the college Decision Timeline The Foundation's main annual event is Gilbert Hannam Day, held each year on or around 17 March (the anniversary of Gilbert Hannam's death in 1677). This is when major awards and prizes are typically announced and presented.

Where is Gilbert Hannam Education Foundation based?

Gilbert Hannam Education Foundation is based in Haslemere.