Our Funding – Policies & Aims

Below is a brief summary of the Trust’s Policies and Aims, which reflect the wishes of the Norman family:

• The Trust’s primary objective is to help registered charities and other non-profit/voluntary organisations (including state schools) working in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset (TA postcode area only).
• Applications from Exeter and East Devon are prioritised.
• Applications from national charities will only be considered if the appeal relates to a project which will be of benefit in the Trust’s preferred area (see first point). Applications from smaller, local organisations are usually prioritised.
• Grants are not available to any organisation which uses live animals for experimental or research purposes, regardless of the project.
• Grants are not available for the maintenance or repair of religious buildings, nor for any project which is of a religious nature.
• Grants are not available towards projects outside of the United Kingdom.
• Grants are not available for individuals – only organisations can apply to the Trust.

Current Grant Policy

The Trust is currently undertaking a broad-ranging review of its grant-making activities and policies and the information on this page may be subject to significant change.  This website will be updated with the latest information after the review concludes in late April 2025.  Any policy changes will not affect applications to the May 2025 meeting.

State Schools

The Trust has decided to continue with its additional focus on providing funding to local state schools.  This does not affect the Trust’s ongoing support to charities and other voluntary and community organisations.  The Trustees are very much aware of the current financial hardship that local schools are currently experiencing, due to cuts in Government funding.   They are also aware that many other charitable funders do not make grants to schools, and schools do not have the access that Registered Charities have, to other funding streams, such as the general public.  The pressure on parents to support their children’s schools is building at a time when many parents are already stretched themselves.

For these reasons the Trustees would welcome applications from schools in Devon, Cornwall and TA postcode area of Somerset (with a preference for East Devon and Exeter) provided they comply with the following –

1. The application must be for a grant that would directly benefit the children of that school.
2. The application needs to be for a stand alone project within the school, (or a contribution towards one) so the Trustees are aware of exactly how the grant will be spent and the progress or success of that project can be quantifiable.  Applications to help with general gaps in the school deficit, or to pay for increases in staff pensions / NIC, will not be considered.
3. Schools should take note of the average size of grants made previously and tailor their application accordingly.

Examples of applications encouraged could be to support the following – school libraries, minibuses, sports halls or equipment, outdoor play equipment, text books, music drama and the arts, laboratory equipment.

Applications can be for capital, such as contributing to the cost of a new building, or for core costs such as staffing, provided the conditions above are met.

General

Trustees have decided again not to provide funding for festivals this financial year, due to high numbers of applications and limited funds available.

Trustees are more likely to support smaller, local organisations than those which are national with large fundraising teams.

The Trust is happy to consider core/running costs but is unable to fund these on an ongoing basis.  This means that if you come back to us the following year with the same request for these costs, we are very unlikely to be able to support the request.  Trustees prefer to support specific projects, contributions towards capital works, equipment purchases etc wherever possible.

If you are an individual in need of support and living in Devon, you may wish to approach The Gibbons Trusts. Please note that the Gibbons Trusts require all individual applicants to have at least one reference from a professional third party.

The Trustees like to be kept informed of the progress of the cause supported.  Please see our Monitoring & Evaluation page for further information about the Trust’s reporting requirements.

In order to be fair to all applicants, Trustees will only consider one application per organisation during the current financial year unless there are very exceptional circumstances.  You are welcome to re-apply after 1st April.