Needham's Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £135,390 (2023 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: Ely, Cambridgeshire only

Contact Details

Email: needhamsfoundation@gmail.com

Phone: 01353699043

Address: The foundation can be contacted via email or phone above

Overview

Needham's Foundation is a historic educational charity established in 1730 from the estate of Catherine Needham. Originally founded to provide education for disadvantaged children in Ely, the foundation continues its mission nearly 300 years later by providing financial assistance to schools and young people under 25 in the Ely area.

The foundation supports both community and voluntary aided schools in Ely through direct grants for items, services, and facilities, as well as providing educational grants to individuals under 25 who are residents of Ely or who have attended schools in the area. With annual expenditure of £135,390 against income of £79,134 (2023), the foundation appears to be actively drawing on its assets to maximize educational support for the Ely community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates two main funding streams:

School Support Grants

• Direct financial assistance to community and voluntary aided schools in Ely
• Provision of items, services, and facilities for educational purposes
• Grant amounts not publicly specified

Individual Student Support

• Educational grants for persons under 25 years old
• Must be resident in Ely or attending/have attended Ely schools
• Financial need must be demonstrated
• Grant amounts not publicly specified

Priority Areas

• Educational equipment and resources for schools
• Support for young people under 25 in educational pursuits
• Students experiencing financial hardship
• Community and voluntary aided schools in the Ely area

What They Don't Fund

• Applications from outside the Ely area
• Applicants over 25 years of age
• Non-educational purposes

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by Representative Governors appointed by the Bishop of Ely, Dean and Chapter of Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire County Council, and City of Ely Council. No trustees receive any remuneration from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Individual Students/Families:

• Contact the foundation via email (needhamsfoundation@gmail.com) or phone (01353699043)
• Complete application form detailing educational needs and financial circumstances
• Submit application with supporting documentation

For Schools:

• Schools in the Ely area should contact the foundation directly
• Email or phone to discuss funding needs
• Application process handled on case-by-case basis

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available. Contact the foundation directly for current processing times.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy not publicly specified. Contact the foundation for guidance.

Application Success Factors

• Demonstrate clear Ely connection: Applicants must prove residency in Ely or connection to Ely schools
• Show genuine financial need: The foundation's historic mission focuses on supporting those in financial hardship
• Clearly articulate educational purpose: Whether for individuals or schools, the educational benefit must be explicit
• Contact early for guidance: With limited published information, speaking with the foundation before applying is advisable
• Consider timing: With trustee meetings required for decisions, allow adequate time for application processing

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is strictly an Ely-focused charity with no flexibility for applications outside the geographic area
• The foundation actively makes grants despite limited public presence - contact directly rather than assuming inactive
• Both schools and individuals can apply, but through different processes
• Building a direct relationship through initial contact is essential given minimal published guidance
• Financial need is a core criterion reflecting the foundation's historic mission
• Consider complementary funding from other Ely educational charities like the Bishop Laney Foundation

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities, NEEDHAM'S FOUNDATION - 311338. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=311338&subId=0 (Accessed 30 December 2024)