The Ewelme Exhibition Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £275,674 (year ending 31 August 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed in November; interviews in early winter; decisions by end of February (approximately 3 months)
• Grant Range: £500 - £5,000
• Geographic Focus: Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Ramridge in Hampshire, and Conock in Wiltshire

Contact Details

• Website: www.ewelme-education-awards.info
• Email: ewelme.exhibition@gmail.com
• Phone: 07585 628468

Overview

The Ewelme Exhibition Foundation (Charity No. 309240) traces its origins to 1437 when William and Alice de la Pole, Duke and Duchess of Suffolk, established a chantry foundation in Ewelme. The educational aspects separated from the Ewelme Almshouse Charity in 1897, creating the current foundation. The charity is fully funded by the Ewelme Almshouse Charity and does not fundraise from the public. With an annual income of approximately £301,000 and expenditure of £275,674 (2024), the foundation provides educational grants and bursaries to young people aged 11-24 across specific counties in South-Central England. The charity operates through a Board of Governors comprising 8 volunteers—4 appointed by the Trustees of God's House in Ewelme and 4 representing the areas and interests served. All governors serve without remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Bursary Awards (Ages 11-18)

• Amount: £2,400 - £5,000 per annum (typical award around £3,000; up to £5,100 in exceptional circumstances)
• Duration: Multi-year awards to suitable schooling milestones (e.g., entry to secondary through GCSEs, or 6th Form through A-levels/IB)
• Purpose: Means-tested support for secondary school students who are very talented or have specific educational needs and face financial difficulties or bereavement
• Priority: Given to applications from 11-13 year olds
• Application Method: November annual deadline; parents/guardians apply on student's behalf

Individual Student Grants (Ages 11-24)

• Amount: Not specified but smaller than bursaries
• Purpose: Vocational training, apprenticeships, skills development
• Support includes: Equipment, tools, musical instruments, travel, extra tuition, university course activities, sports training, specialist clothing
• Application Method: Students apply directly; considered on a rolling basis

School Grants

• Amount: £500 - £2,000 per school
• Eligibility: Primary schools in deprived communities within areas of benefit
• Support includes: Educational trips, residential visits, playground activities, Forest School, book clubs, musical/other workshops, author visits, museum trips
• Application Method: Schools invited to apply annually

Priority Areas

• Supporting exceptionally talented young people
• Assisting students with specific educational needs
• Helping young people facing financial crisis or bereavement
• Vocational training and apprenticeships
• Skills development in academic subjects, arts, music, and sport
• Educational enrichment for disadvantaged pupils in primary schools
• Geographic Preference: Young people resident on the endowed estates (Ewelme parish and Marsh Gibbon) receive priority

What They Don't Fund

• Applications where annual family income exceeds £75,000
• Applicants residing outside the specified geographic areas
• Students outside the 11-24 age range

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a Board of 8 Governors who serve as volunteers:

• 4 Governors appointed by the Trustees of God's House in Ewelme (Charity No. 200581)
• 4 Governors appointed to represent various areas and interests served

The charity also employs an Awards Manager who administers the grant programs. The objectives are clearly set out in the governing Scheme (Charity No. 309240). No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. Governors are chosen for their experience and local representation.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Bursary Awards:

• Parents or guardians must apply on behalf of the student
• Application form must include a letter of support from the Head Teacher
• Applications are means-tested
• Deadline: End of November in the year prior to the award year

For Individual Student Grants:

• Young people aged 11-24 apply directly
• Must provide a testimonial or reference from course teacher, tutor, or supervisor
• Written submission with costings required
• Details of any other money raised should be included
• Considered on a rolling basis (not tied to annual deadline)

For School Grants:

• Schools are invited to apply annually
• Targeted at primary schools in deprived communities

Decision Timeline

1. Application Submission: November (for bursaries)
2. Governors' Selection Meeting: Applications reviewed
3. Interview Invitations: Sent out after initial review
4. Interviews: Held at Ewelme on a designated Saturday (early winter)
5. Decision Letters: Sent by end of February
6. Total Timeline: Approximately 3 months from deadline to decision

Reapplication Policy

• Late applications and re-applications arising from significant changes in circumstances may be considered exceptionally
• Bursary awards may be continued to completion of A-levels, subject to reapplication and review on completion of GCSEs
• The charity expects parents of successful candidates to send end-of-year reports (and interim reports if particularly good or critical) for review by Governors
• The charity liaises closely with schools throughout the lifetime of awards

Application Success Factors

Interview Process

• The Governors conduct personal interviews with bursary applicants before making decisions
• Interviews are held at Ewelme, requiring applicants to travel to the historic location
• The foundation values meeting applicants face-to-face as part of their assessment

Ongoing Monitoring and Accountability

• Successful candidates are expected to provide regular progress reports
• The foundation maintains close liaison with schools throughout the award period
• This suggests they value commitment, accountability, and demonstrable educational progress

Geographic Preferences

• Clear preference for young people resident in the parish of Ewelme or Marsh Gibbon (the endowed estates)
• While the foundation serves a broader geographic area, highlighting any connections to these core areas may strengthen applications

Means-Testing

• Applications must demonstrate genuine financial need
• Upper threshold of £75,000 annual family income is strictly applied
• Evidence of financial circumstances will be required

Quality of Support Documentation

• Head Teacher letters of support are mandatory for bursary applications
• For grants, references from course teachers, tutors, or supervisors are essential
• Written submissions should include detailed costings
• Demonstrating other fundraising efforts shows initiative and commitment

Specificity and Purpose

• The foundation funds specific educational purposes rather than general support
• Applications should clearly articulate the educational benefit
• For vocational grants, demonstrate how equipment/training will develop skills

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Multi-year commitment: Bursaries can continue through key educational milestones if progress is maintained—emphasize long-term educational goals
• Face-to-face assessment: Prepare candidates for in-person interviews at Ewelme; presentation skills and genuine passion matter
• Geographic targeting: Strongest applications will come from Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire, with preference for Ewelme and Marsh Gibbon residents
• Financial threshold: Ensure family income is below £75,000 and be prepared to provide evidence of means-testing
• Head Teacher advocacy: The letter of support is crucial; work with schools to ensure Head Teachers understand the candidate's talent or need
• Regular reporting expected: Successful applicants commit to ongoing communication with the foundation—demonstrate willingness to stay engaged
• Historic foundation values continuity: Dating back to 1437, this charity values tradition and long-term impact; frame applications around sustained educational development rather than short-term fixes

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: THE EWELME EXHIBITION FOUNDATION - Charity No. 309240. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=309240&subId=0
• Ewelme Exhibition Endowment official website. Available at: https://ewelme-education-awards.info/
• Turn2Us Grants Search: The Ewelme Exhibition Endowment. Available at: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/the-ewelme-exhibition-endowment-14602
• Ewelme Exhibition Endowment History page. Available at: https://ewelme-education-awards.info/history/
• The Ewelme Almshouse Charity: Education. Available at: http://www.ewelmealmshousecharity.org/education.html