The Kerrison Trust

Charity Number: 228590

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

Stay updated on changes from The Kerrison Trust and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £205,898 (income for year ending 30 April 2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Norfolk and Suffolk only
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Quarterly review meetings (January, April, July, October)
  • Beneficiaries: Young people aged 11-20 and organizations supporting them

Contact Details

Address: 1 St James Court, Whitefriars, Norwich, NR3 1RU

Phone: 01379 678599

Email: office@kerrison.org.uk

Website: www.kerrison.org.uk

Application Portal: Available via PDF download or online form at www.kerrison.org.uk/apply-for-funding

Overview

The Kerrison Trust was established in 1856 by Lady Caroline Kerrison and her husband Edward as a Reform School in Thorndon, Suffolk. For over 165 years, the Trust has maintained its foundational ethos "to help young people living in Norfolk and Suffolk, who have little or no support, to navigate life's turbulent times." The Trust has evolved from its 19th-century roots addressing juvenile delinquency and destitution into a modern grant-making charity. Over the past six years, the Trust has awarded over £362,000 in grants to individuals and organizations. The Trust is run by a small team of volunteer trustees and maintains no paid employees, ensuring maximum resources go directly to beneficiaries.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates two distinct funding streams:

Individual Grants (Ages 11-20)

  • Scholarships
  • Training program access
  • Equipment purchases
  • Workshops and educational opportunities
  • Counseling services
  • Supplies for vulnerable youth
  • Application method: PDF form download, rolling applications reviewed quarterly

Organizational Grants

  • Multi-year commitments possible (e.g., Green Light Trust received 3-year funding)
  • Equipment and capital purchases for training facilities
  • Staff positions that directly support young people
  • Program development and pilot initiatives
  • Application method: PDF download or online form, rolling applications reviewed quarterly

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses on young people who face significant obstacles including:

  • Learning difficulties or social challenges
  • Bereavement or family breakdown
  • Financial barriers to accessing necessary equipment or training
  • Exclusion from mainstream education
  • Need for alternative education pathways
  • Disadvantaged and vulnerable circumstances

Recent funded organizations demonstrate the Trust's priorities:

  • Green Light Trust: Nature-based learning and self-regulation for children struggling in mainstream education (3-year staff funding, supporting 450 young people annually)
  • Open Road West Norfolk Trust: Construction and mechanic training equipment and workshop assistant for disadvantaged young people
  • 4YP: Youth support services
  • Future Female Society: Programs supporting young women
  • University of East Anglia: Projects supporting young people in education

What They Don't Fund

  • Programs outside Norfolk and Suffolk
  • Individuals outside the 11-20 age range
  • Activities not directly related to youth wellbeing, education, or training
Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for The Kerrison Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Chair: Simon Bird KC

Trustees:

  • Diane Cooke
  • Jacqueline Forsyth
  • David Goodin
  • Sara Michell
  • Jane Spring
  • Jonathan Underwood

The Trust operates with seven volunteer trustees who receive no remuneration. All trustees bring commitment to the Trust's mission of supporting vulnerable young people across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Trustee Diane Cooke commented on the Green Light Trust partnership: “Green Light Trust are turning around the lives and hopes and dreams of young people, where otherwise such children and youngsters might so easily get forgotten or dismissed.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Individuals (aged 11-20):

  • Download PDF application form from www.kerrison.org.uk/apply-for-funding
  • Teachers and parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the Trust directly about potential applicants
  • Submit at least two weeks before the next quarterly review meeting

For Organizations:

  • Choose between PDF download or online form submission at www.kerrison.org.uk/apply-for-funding
  • Submit at least two weeks before the next quarterly review meeting
  • The Trust welcomes inquiries: "If you're not sure about filling in forms or would like a bit of friendly advice, just send us an email or give us a call – we're here and ready to listen"

Decision Timeline

Review Meetings: The Trust holds quarterly review meetings on the second Friday of January, April, July, and October

Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted at least two weeks before each review meeting

Late Applications: Applications received after the deadline are automatically deferred to the following quarterly meeting (approximately 3-month delay)

Notification: Method not publicly specified; applicants should expect to hear shortly after each quarterly meeting

Success Rates

Success rate statistics are not publicly available. However, the Trust awarded over £362,000 across six years to both individuals and organizations, indicating active grant-making activity.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust's policy on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed. Given their approachable stance and encouragement to contact them for advice, unsuccessful applicants should feel comfortable reaching out to discuss reapplication possibilities.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's funded projects and stated priorities, applications are strengthened by:

Clear Connection to Youth Wellbeing: The Trust emphasizes organizations and projects with “youth wellbeing at their core.” Successful applicants like Green Light Trust and Open Road demonstrate direct impact on young people's development, skills, and life prospects.

Supporting the Overlooked: Trustee Diane Cooke's comment about Green Light Trust highlights the Trust's focus on young people “who might so easily get forgotten or dismissed.” Applications should clearly articulate how they serve vulnerable, disadvantaged, or excluded youth.

Practical, Tangible Outcomes: Funded projects provide concrete support—equipment for mechanic training, nature-based learning programs, workshop facilities. The Trust favors applications that deliver measurable, practical benefits rather than abstract outcomes.

Alignment with Educational/Training Goals: The Trust's charitable objects emphasize “advancement of the education and training of children and young persons.” Strong applications demonstrate clear educational or skills development pathways.

Norfolk and Suffolk Geographic Focus: All funding must benefit young people residing in or organizations based in Norfolk and Suffolk. This is a non-negotiable criterion.

Sustained Impact and Partnership: The Green Light Trust case study reveals the Trust's willingness to extend initial commitments when impressed with results. CEO Lauren Shand noted: “Kerrison was so impressed with us and so keen to show their support that they committed to the funding for a total of three years.” This suggests the Trust values ongoing relationships and monitors how funded initiatives develop.

Alternative Pathways: Funded organizations like Open Road and Green Light Trust provide alternatives to mainstream education, using practical skills (motor vehicles, construction, nature-based learning) as engagement tools. This approach aligns with the Trust's understanding that traditional educational settings don't work for all young people.

Responsiveness to Real Barriers: Individual grants address specific obstacles—lack of equipment, training access, or financial barriers. Applications should clearly identify what's preventing the young person from progressing and how the grant removes that specific barrier.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction is absolute: Only Norfolk and Suffolk residents (individuals) or based organizations qualify—no exceptions
  • Age range is strictly 11-20 for individual applicants; organizational grants must focus on this age group
  • Plan ahead for quarterly deadlines: Submit at least two weeks before the second Friday of January, April, July, or October to avoid 3-month delays
  • Don't be intimidated by the application process: The Trust actively encourages applicants to contact them for friendly advice and support with forms
  • Focus on the vulnerable and overlooked: Strong applications demonstrate support for young people facing significant challenges who might otherwise be “forgotten or dismissed”
  • Multi-year funding is possible: The Trust has demonstrated willingness to commit to longer-term partnerships (3+ years) when impressed with an organization's approach and impact
  • Emphasize practical, tangible outcomes: Equipment, training, skills development, and measurable support resonate more than abstract benefits
  • Referrals are welcomed: Teachers and parents/guardians should feel empowered to refer young people who could benefit from individual grants

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References