Sir Edmund De Moundeford Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £139,785 (2024 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (trustee discretion)
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: Small grants to individuals (amounts not disclosed)
• Geographic Focus: Feltwell village, Norfolk only

Contact Details

• Address: 15 Lynn Road, Downham Market, Norfolk PE38 9NL
• Phone: 01366 387180
• Email: info@barryhawkins.co.uk
• Website: No dedicated website

Overview

The Sir Edmund de Moundeford Charity was established in 1642 by Sir Edmund Moundeford (1596-1643), an English politician who represented Thetford and Norfolk in the House of Commons. Sir Edmund, the last of the Feltwell Moundefords, died without heirs and bequeathed substantial fenland holdings (approximately 840 acres) to benefit the village of Feltwell in perpetuity.

The charity operates exclusively for residents of Feltwell village in Norfolk. Its primary activities include maintaining four almshouses for elderly residents, providing Christmas heating grants to elderly villagers, and supporting education through grants to the Edmund de Moundeford VC Primary School and its pupils. The charity reported income of £212,231 and expenditure of £139,785 for the year ending December 2024. It is governed by nine unpaid trustees and has no trading subsidiaries.

The charity holds agricultural land as its endowment, with rental income funding its charitable activities. This reflects Sir Edmund's original intention that profits from the fenland be used for clothing the poor, education, and housing for the elderly and infirm.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Christmas Heating Grants: Annual grants to elderly Feltwell residents for heating costs
• Educational Grants: Discretionary grants to pupils at Edmund de Moundeford VC Primary School
• Community Project Support: Occasional contributions to local community initiatives (e.g., outdoor classroom at the primary school, gym equipment for the village playing field)
• Almshouse Provision: Housing for elderly residents (4 almshouses on Oak Street)

Priority Areas

• Elderly residents of Feltwell village
• Children and young people (particularly pupils at the local school)
• Housing and accommodation for the elderly
• Education and training support
• Community facilities benefiting Feltwell residents

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals or organisations outside Feltwell village
• Projects with no direct benefit to Feltwell residents
• Applications from those not resident in Feltwell

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by nine trustees who serve without remuneration. The charity's administration is handled through Barry L Hawkins, a firm of auctioneers and land agents based in Downham Market, Norfolk.

No specific trustee names are publicly listed in available sources. The trustees have full discretion over grant awards, particularly for educational grants to pupils, which are given “as the trustees see fit.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a formal public application process. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees rather than through a standardised application system.

For Christmas heating grants and almshouse accommodation, the charity appears to work with existing knowledge of the local community to identify beneficiaries. Educational grants to pupils are made in consultation with Edmund de Moundeford VC Primary School.

Potential beneficiaries or organisations seeking support should contact the charity directly:

• Phone: 01366 387180
• Email: info@barryhawkins.co.uk

Getting on Their Radar

Given that the charity operates exclusively within the small village of Feltwell, the following approaches may be relevant:

• Direct contact: Write or call the charity administrator at Barry L Hawkins to enquire about potential support
• School connection: For educational grants, work through Edmund de Moundeford VC Primary School administration
• Local community presence: The charity has historically supported community projects identified through local channels (Parish Council, school, etc.)

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified. Given the small scale of operations and trustee discretion model, decisions are likely made at periodic trustee meetings.

Success Rates

Not available. The charity does not publish application statistics.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified.

Application Success Factors

• Residency requirement: The single most critical factor is being a resident of Feltwell village. This is an absolute requirement stated in the charity's governing documents.
• Age considerations: For heating grants and almshouse accommodation, applicants must be elderly
• Educational connection: For pupil grants, attendance at Edmund de Moundeford VC Primary School appears necessary
• Demonstrated need: The charity's historical purpose emphasises support for “the poor” and those with limited means
• Community benefit: Projects supporting the wider Feltwell community (such as the outdoor classroom or gym equipment) have received support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Strictly local: This charity exclusively serves Feltwell village residents—there is no scope for applications from outside this area
• No formal process: Grants are made at trustee discretion without a public application form or deadline system
• Contact directly: The best approach is to contact the charity administrator to discuss potential support
• Small-scale support: Given the charity's size and focus, grants are likely to be modest individual amounts rather than large project funding
• Historical mission: Understanding the charity's 1642 origins helps frame requests—support for education, elderly welfare, and community benefit align with the founder's intentions
• Almshouse waiting list: Those seeking housing should enquire about availability and eligibility criteria directly
• Community projects: Local organisations (school, Parish Council) have successfully partnered with the charity for specific initiatives

References

• Charity Commission Register - Sir Edmund de Moundeford Charity Overview -
• Charity Commission - What, Who, How, Where -
• Charity Choice - Sir Edmund De Moundeford Charity -
• The Moundefords of Feltwell - Feltwell.net - Local history resource
• History of the Almshouses - Feltwell.net - Historical account of almshouse development
• Wikipedia - Edmund Moundeford - Biographical information
• Lynn News - Outdoor classroom at Edmund de Moundeford Primary School - Example of community project support
• Feltwell Parish Council - Playing Field - Reference to gym equipment donation