Huntingdon Freemen's Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £453,190 (2023-24)
• Total Income: £763,349 (2023-24)
• Decision Time: 1 month (monthly meetings)
• Grant Range: Up to £1,200 (students) - £10,000+ (organizations)
• Geographic Focus: Huntingdon Town Council area only
• Application Schedule: Rolling (monthly) and fixed (large grants)

Contact Details

Address: 37 High Street, Huntingdon PE29 3AQ

Website: www.huntingdonfreemen.org.uk

Email: info@huntingdonfreemen.org.uk / grants@hftuk.org

Phone: 01480 414909

Pre-application Support: Officers available to discuss applications and assist with form completion, especially for “unusual or tricky” situations

Overview

Huntingdon Freemen's Trust was formally established in 1993 when the High Court transferred funds and assets from former Freemen's Charities, though the organization boasts a nearly 1,000-year heritage. With total income of £763,349 in 2023-24 and charitable expenditure of £453,190, the Trust distributes approximately £350,000 annually to support residents of Huntingdon. The Trust's income derives primarily from investments (£519,000) and farmland across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Bedfordshire. The charity provides grants for relief in need, education, recreation, and leisure exclusively for current residents within Huntingdon Town Council boundaries. Trustees meet monthly to assess applications, with a strong focus on maintaining the Trust's long-term sustainability. The Trust is actively prioritizing applications for early years and families and mental health and wellbeing alongside regular grant programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Support Grants: Variable amounts (rolling basis, monthly decisions)

• Relief in need: household and health expenses
• Education support: laptops, educational equipment
• Recreation and leisure: equipment and activities
• Online application, monthly trustee meetings (except August)

Student Accommodation Grants: Up to £1,200 per academic year

• Maximum of 50% of accommodation costs, capped at £1,200 annually
• Undergraduate degrees only (no masters or postgraduate)
• Rolling applications

Organizational Grants: Variable amounts up to £10,000+ (rolling and fixed deadlines)

• Standard grants reviewed monthly
• Large grants (£10,000+) reviewed only in January and July meetings
• Deadlines: 31 May and 30 November for large grants
• 12-month restriction between applications

School Support: £18 per Huntingdon pupil annually

• Automatic payments to local schools based on roll numbers
• Additional support available for equipment and educational activities

Priority Areas

• Relief in need: Household essentials, health-related expenses
• Education: Laptops, course materials, accommodation (undergraduates), educational equipment
• Recreation and leisure: Sports equipment, arts activities, hobby-related costs, organized outings
• Early years and families: Currently prioritized
• Mental health and wellbeing: Currently prioritized
• Youth development: Apprenticeship schemes (e.g., Huntingdonshire Regional College)
• Community organizations: Environmental improvements, projects serving local children

What They Don't Fund

• Services that government or local councils should provide (though can supplement)
• Employment positions (except exceptional circumstances with demonstrated sustainability)
• Floor coverings (recently discontinued)
• Master's and postgraduate degrees
• Animal expenses
• Rent payments or debt discharge
• Household bills
• Statutory services
• Applications from standard companies registered with Companies House
• Organizations that received funding within the previous 12 months

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Chair: Kate Parker

Trustees:

• Brian Bradshaw
• David Jones
• Noel Kearns
• Brian Luckham (Huntingdon Town Council nominee)
• Marion Kadewere (Huntingdon District Council nominee)
• Tom Sanderson (Cambridgeshire County Council nominee)

All trustees have deep connections to Huntingdon and spend considerable time understanding residents' needs. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Staff Team

• Karen Bean, Chief Executive Officer
• Kirsty Meadows, Operations Manager
• Marija Obradovic, Grants Officer

Organizational Philosophy

The Trust takes “the long-term survival of the trust very seriously” given its nearly 1,000-year heritage. This sustainability focus influenced the decision to cap student grants. As explained by former clerk David Kerr: “Increasing pressures on student finances have led to the number of student applications nearly doubling in each of the last two years,” and without changes, “student grants alone would have consumed the entire budget by 2014.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Online Portal: Three separate application forms available on website

• Individual applicants
• Organizations
• Students

Pre-Application Contact: Call 01480 414909 for guidance, particularly for unusual situations

Required Documentation:

For Individuals:

• Proof of residency (predating 12 months)
• Completed income/expenditure template
• Two months of bank statements

For Organizations:

• Audited accounts
• List of organizational officers
• Annual report
• Evidence of serving Huntingdon residents

For Students:

• University/college fee documentation
• Proof of residency
• Lease agreement

Decision Timeline

Standard Grants:

• Applications reviewed at monthly trustee meetings (first Tuesday of each month, except August)
• Typical timeframe: 4-6 weeks from submission to decision

Large Grants (£10,000+):

• Only reviewed at January and July meetings
• Deadlines: 31 May and 30 November
• Typical timeframe: 6-8 weeks from deadline to decision

Notification: Direct contact with applicants following trustee meetings

Success Rates

Specific success rate data not publicly available. However, the Trust notes “unprecedented demand” in recent years, particularly for student grants, which led to policy changes to ensure sustainability.

Reapplication Policy

• 12-month waiting period: Only one application per person or organization per year
• Applies to both successful and unsuccessful applicants
• Must wait 12 months from previous application before reapplying
• Trustee decisions are final

Application Success Factors

Geographic Eligibility is Critical

Must live within or serve Huntingdon Town Council area, including: Huntingdon Town, Oxmoor, Hartford, Sapley, Stukeley Meadows, and Hinchingbrooke Park. The Trust operates under strict legal mandate regarding this boundary.

Financial Assessment is Thorough

Officers conduct direct assessments of needs and financial circumstances. Be prepared to provide comprehensive financial documentation:

• “Completed income/expenditure template”
• Bank statements showing financial position
• Clear demonstration of need

Align with Current Priorities

The Trust is “actively supporting applications for early years and families and mental health and wellbeing” - applications in these areas may receive favorable consideration.

Supplement, Don't Replace

The Trust “cannot give grants for services that the government or local council should provide but can supplement them.” Frame applications as supplementing existing provision rather than replacing statutory services.

Direct Contact is Encouraged

“One of their team will always be happy to talk to you and help fill in their application form.” Use this support, especially for complex situations. Call 01480 414909.

Sustainability Matters

Given the Trust's focus on long-term survival, demonstrate how funding will be used efficiently and sustainably, particularly for organizational applications.

Recent Funding Examples

While specific project examples aren't publicly detailed, the Trust has funded:

• Carpets for individuals' homes (relief in need)
• Laptops for students pursuing educational courses
• Environmental improvement projects for organizations serving children
• Apprenticeship schemes at Huntingdonshire Regional College

Timing for Large Grants

Plan ahead for large organizational grants (£10,000+) - only two opportunities per year (January and July meetings). Missing deadlines means waiting six months.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geography is non-negotiable: Applicants or their beneficiaries must be within Huntingdon Town Council boundaries - this is a legal requirement. Verify eligibility before applying.

• Monthly decision cycle for most grants: With meetings on the first Tuesday of each month (except August), standard applications have relatively quick turnaround times compared to many funders.

• Early years and mental health are priorities: The Trust is “actively supporting” these areas - applications aligned with these priorities may have competitive advantage.

• Financial transparency is essential: Be prepared for thorough financial assessment with comprehensive documentation. Officers conduct direct assessments, so honest, detailed financial disclosure is critical.

• Build relationships before applying: The Trust encourages pre-application contact. Use this opportunity to discuss unusual situations and get guidance on form completion - this isn't just courtesy, it's strategic.

• Plan for the 12-month restriction: Only one application per year means you need to get it right the first time. If you have multiple needs, prioritize and present the strongest case.

• For organizations over £10,000: Plan 6-8 months ahead for large grant deadlines (31 May and 30 November). This timeline allows for proposal development and supporting documentation gathering.

References

• Huntingdon Freemen's Trust official website: www.huntingdonfreemen.org.uk
• Application information: https://www.huntingdonfreemen.org.uk/apply/
• About the organization: https://www.huntingdonfreemen.org.uk/who-we-are/
• Support information: https://www.huntingdonfreemen.org.uk/how-can-we-help/
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1044573
• Financial accounts: Charity Commission records for year ending 30 April 2024
• The Hunts Post: “Huntingdon charity to restrict grants to students” - https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/22988322.huntingdon-charity-restrict-grants-students/