The Norman Family Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 277616

Annual Expenditure: £0.6M
Geographic Focus: Devon, Somerset, Cornwall

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £575,000-£665,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Maximum 3 months (typically within days of bi-monthly meeting)
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £5,000 (most grants £500-£1,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset (TA postcodes), with priority for East Devon

Contact Details

Website: www.nfct.org

Email: INFO@NFCT.ORG

Phone: Not provided

Address: Budleigh Salterton, Devon

Applications must be made via the online application form on the website.

Overview

The Norman Family Charitable Trust was established in 1979 by Mr W K Norman after he sold and retired from his Norman's Cash & Carry business, which had thriving stores across the South West. The Trust has since reached significant milestones: 40 years of grant making, £9 million given away, and over 10,000 grants awarded. With an annual expenditure of approximately £575,000-£665,000 (based on recent financial years), the Trust supports registered charities, CIOs, CICs, non-profit sports clubs, other voluntary and community groups, and state schools across Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset. The Trust maintains a strong connection to its founder's wishes, with at least one member of the Norman Family serving as a Trustee since inception. Applications from East Devon are prioritised, reflecting the original locations of the Norman's Stores.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £1,000 - £5,000 (most grants £500-£1,000)

  • Applications accepted through online portal
  • Rolling basis with bi-monthly deadlines (January, March, May, July, September, November)
  • Trustees may decide to support applications at a lower level than requested
  • Preference given to specific projects, capital works contributions, and equipment purchases

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses on three core categories:

1. Young People (up to age 25)

  • Mental health and learning difficulties
  • Physical health and disability
  • Sport
  • Education and training
  • Community and activities
  • Social welfare

2. Animals and Environment

  • Animal welfare
  • Improving and protecting the natural environment in Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset

3. Adults (aged 25+)

  • Mental health and learning difficulties
  • Physical health and disability
  • Sport
  • Education and training
  • Community and activities
  • Social welfare
  • End of life care

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects or organisations using live animals for experimentation or research
  • Maintenance or repair of religious buildings
  • Projects with religious elements (faith organisations may apply for community projects accessible to the wider community)
  • Overseas projects
  • Individuals
  • Organisations outside Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset (TA postcodes only)
  • National charities unless they can demonstrate specific local benefit to the South West region
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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by a board of trustees with diverse professional backgrounds:

Sarah Norman - Member of the Norman Family, joined as Trustee in 2011. Graduated in Environmental Science and runs her own business.

Chris - Became a trustee in June 2018. Spent 35 years in banking in various countries.

Liz - Joined September 2018. Lived in Devon since 1979, served as a magistrate locally for nearly 30 years, and worked in the Citizens Advice service in East Devon.

Stephen - Joined March 2019. Served 7 years as an Officer in the Armed Forces, then spent 30 years in General Dental Practice in Exmouth.

John - Became a trustee December 2019. Interim Chair of Finance, Investments & Property Sub Committee. A Chartered Surveyor who worked exclusively for a local private Estate.

Fiona - Joined May 2022. Was a GP in Exmouth and Sidmouth for many years and then worked as a specialist in sexual health until retirement.

Brian - Became a trustee May 2024. Spent his career in banking and financial services.

Key Trustee Guidance: “Trustees prioritise applications from East Devon to reflect the wishes of the founder. Trustees prefer to support specific projects, contributions towards capital works, equipment purchases etc wherever possible. Trustees may decide to support applications at a lower level than requested, and the Trust is always oversubscribed and unable to support all requests in full, even if they otherwise meet the criteria.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • All applications must be made via the online application form at nfct.org
  • Applications must be submitted before the deadline (approximately one month before each meeting)
  • Applicants must choose a main and sub-category that best fits their request
  • Upload latest accounts (even draft versions acceptable)
  • Provide full details of how funds would be spent, with quotes if appropriate
  • Grant payments made via BACS - must provide proof of organisation's bank details
  • Application deadlines every other month: January, March, May, July, September, November

Decision Timeline

  • Grants Committee meets every other month
  • Maximum of 3 months between application submission and decision
  • All applicants notified within a day or two of the meeting
  • Grant payments made shortly after the meeting via BACS transfer
  • Grant recipients notified when to expect the transfer in the grant offer email

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust acknowledges that it is “always oversubscribed and unable to support all requests in full, even if they otherwise meet the criteria.”

Reapplication Policy

  • One application per organisation per financial year (April-March), whether successful or unsuccessful
  • Unsuccessful applicants must wait until after 1st April to reapply
  • Exception: If application is withdrawn prior to the meeting, can reapply at any point
  • If required in grant offer email, must complete monitoring report before applying again
  • Contact the Trust if unsure about reapplication timing

Application Success Factors

Geographic Priority: East Devon applications are explicitly prioritised. Organisations outside this area should demonstrate strong alignment with the Trust's priorities.

Project Specificity: Trustees prefer to fund specific projects, capital works contributions, and equipment purchases rather than general running costs (though core costs applications are accepted).

Clear Local Benefit: National charities must demonstrate specific local benefit to Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset. Be explicit about how the grant will impact the local community.

Realistic Funding Requests: Most grants awarded are between £500-£1,000. Requests over £5,000 are unlikely to be supported unless there is a longstanding relationship with the Trust and the grant will have significant impact. Consider applying for an amount within the typical range.

Multiple Funding Sources: The Trust expects organisations to be seeking funding from multiple sources. Clearly specify what funding has already been raised and other sources being pursued.

Complete Financial Documentation: Upload latest accounts, even if in draft form. Provide comprehensive project budgets with quotes.

Concise and Clear Communication: Be concise and clear in project descriptions. Answer all compulsory questions marked with an asterisk (*).

Category Selection: Choose the most appropriate main and sub-category for your application, as this affects how trustees assess your request.

Recent Examples of Funded Projects (from 2016):

  • £2,500 to Rainbow Living
  • £1,000 to Exmouth Players for disabled access to dressing room
  • £500 to Hope for Tomorrow towards Mobile Chemotherapy Unit
  • £500 to Devonshire & Dorset Regimental Charity towards costs of a regimental memorial

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic targeting is critical: East Devon applications are prioritised. If outside East Devon, demonstrate strong alignment with Trust priorities and clear local benefit.
  • Request realistic amounts: Most grants are £500-£1,000, with some reaching £5,000. Larger requests are rarely successful unless there's an established relationship.
  • Be project-specific: Trustees prefer funding specific projects, equipment, or capital works rather than general running costs.
  • Plan for the bi-monthly cycle: With meetings every other month, build application timing into your fundraising strategy. Maximum 3-month wait for decisions.
  • One chance per year: You only get one application per financial year (April-March), so make it count. Ensure your application is complete and compelling.
  • Prepare for oversubscription: The Trust is always oversubscribed and may fund at lower levels than requested. Consider this when budgeting.
  • Maintain strong financial documentation: Upload complete accounts and detailed project budgets with quotes to demonstrate credibility and need.

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