Norfolk Community Foundation Turns 20
Norfolk Community Foundation: 20 Years of Impact and Ambition
The world has changed significantly since the Foundation awarded its first grant two decades ago.
In 2005, who could have imagined working families turning to food banks, a mental health crisis among young people, or the arrival of a global pandemic unseen for generations?
Through these challenges and many more, local charities have stepped up. Their understanding, energy, skills, and time have been a lifeline to countless individuals, helping to create a better, stronger Norfolk. At Norfolk Community Foundation, we’ve made it our mission to keep these communities at the heart of everything we do—listening to their voices, responding to their needs, and providing the vital support they require when they need it most.
Today, the challenges we face are complex and interconnected. Tackling them demands time, collaboration, and dedication from every corner of our county. Norfolk Community Foundation works across every sector and every geography in Norfolk, with one clear vision: to build stronger, brighter communities from the ground up.
This year, as we celebrate our 20th anniversary and the milestone achievement of investing £50 million into Norfolk’s communities, we’re proud to reflect on the journey that brought us here. From awarding our first grant and forging lasting relationships with donors to supporting grassroots organisations and inspiring innovative ways of giving, we’ve come a long way.
But we know there’s so much more to be done. That’s why, as we look to the future, we’ve launched 6 critical “missions”, all with a unified focus to ensure everyone in Norfolk, no matter who they are or where they come from, has the opportunity to live their best life. These missions drive our work forward, addressing key priorities and sparking the collective action needed to create lasting change.
To mark this momentous milestone, we’re inviting Norfolk to join us to celebrate what we can achieve when we all come together. Illuminate Norfolk will be a vibrant, interactive showcase bringing together those who have shaped and will continue to shape our county’s inspiring story. We hope to see you there.
If you’re inspired by what you see and want to help build a brighter future for Norfolk, we’d love to hear from you.
Together, Norfolk shines brighter.
Claire Mackintosh, Chief Executive
What is a Community Foundation?
The first community foundation was created in the USA, and there are now more than 1,800 foundations in 51 countries worldwide, with 47 in the UK alone. Philanthropic pioneer Fred Goff created the first Community Foundation in Cleveland in 1914 after noticing that many of his 19th century predecessors had left big sums of money to benefit causes which had since become irrelevant. He came up with the idea of pooling the charitable gifts of Clevelanders into a single permanent trust to support local communities, in perpetuity, through the Cleveland Foundation.
The concept was a source of inspiration all over the world, and community foundations are now the largest grant making organisations in the UK, supporting thousands of community-based charities and groups each year. They have expert, local knowledge, they know which groups are tackling issues effectively, and how the impact of donations can be maximised to best support local communities. Collectively, they are part of the UK Community Foundations (UKCF) network, and together they awarded grants to those in need totalling £77m last year.
Our impact since 2005
The early years…
Norfolk Community Foundation had grand ambitions right from the start. The idea was first established in 2004 by the then-Bishop of Norwich Rt Revd Graham James, who wanted to set up a big charity to help smaller charities. He approached the then Lord Lieutenant Sir Richard Jewson, who understood the vision and got behind the project straight away. The Foundation was registered as a charity the following year, with the first grants being awarded at the end of 2005. Kate Kingdon was the first Director.
Since its inception, the Foundation has always invested its money to make sure that there is always a steadily growing income for future grant making – and this endowment has grown far past the initial target of £10mil set out by Bishop Graham in 2005. This was to be the base that the Foundation would build itself upon. The early years focused on building relationships with donors and targeting their giving to local groups that aligned with their priorities.
Between 2005 – 2006, £50,000 was distributed to local community groups. By 2009, this number had seen an 1600% increase, with over £800,000 being awarded that year to worthy Norfolk causes.
2005
- Norfolk CF Founded by Bishop Graham James and Sir Richard Jewson. The first CEO is Kate Kingdon.
- August – Norfolk Community Foundation registers as a charity.
- October – First grants are awarded.
2007
- 60 grants made to local applicants, totalling over £100,000.
- A personal donation and pledged support from the Queen.
- UK Community Foundations certification achieved.
- The Foundation is gifted office space at St James Mill by Jarrold.
- Norfolk 100 established.
2008
- NCF awards over £1m to small groups over 3 years through the Government’s Grassroots Grants Programme.
2009
- Love Norfolk fund launched to support community groups all over the county.
- Grants awarded exceed £800,000.
2005 – our first grants
West Norfolk Befriending – our first grant (2005)
West Norfolk Befriending received one of the first-ever grants the Norfolk Community Foundation made. West Norfolk Befriending originally started life as a project between the West Norfolk Deaf Association, West Norfolk Carers and Age Concern West Norfolk in 2002, becoming a charity in its own right in September 2005. It received its first grant from Norfolk Community Foundation just one month later. The grant was to support the basic running costs of the group. At this time, there was one part-time member of staff working for West Norfolk Befriending alongside a team of volunteers.
When Covid-19 struck, isolation became more pronounced for everybody – including older people. The charity found that its caseload had doubled over the course of the pandemic. As the face-to-face visits that formed the basis of the charity’s work suddenly had to stop, West Norfolk Befriending sought innovative solutions to meet their client’s needs. This led to two rounds of grants from the Community Foundation to help develop its new telephone befriending service and email befriending service, allowing isolated older people to maintain contact in a safe but meaningful way.
Fast-forward to 2022, and the group is still working hard in West Norfolk to keep older people connected with their communities. Most recently, the group was awarded £5,000 from the Love Norfolk fund – once again to support their core costs. West Norfolk Befriending starts at £0 each year and relies on grants and donations from local people who understand the importance of the vital work they do. Having also registered as a charity in 2005, the Norfolk Community Foundation is proud to have grown alongside West Norfolk Befriending over the past 17 years. We have awarded funding to the group 27 times – totalling over £70,000.
2007 – giving better, together
Norfolk 100
Norfolk 100 was launched as a new way of bringing together donations from businesses and individuals to make a greater impact. The Norfolk 100 are a leading group of donors who share a passion for supporting Norfolk.
Members receive regular updates on the difference they’re helping to make and are invited to our full event programme giving them the opportunity to learn about the vital community support they have given and to meet with fellow philanthropists who share a passion for making Norfolk a better place.
We recently hosted a reception for Norfolk 100 members at our office at St James Mill for an exclusive opportunity to meet some of the team at Norfolk Community Foundation and hear more about our work to give our local charities what they need to grow and move forward, including our work to support Ukrainian refugees in Norfolk.
Norfolk 100 Members demonstrate the power of collective giving, targeting support where it is needed most in Norfolk. By pledging a 3-year giving commitment, members boost their long-term impact by consistently empowering their communities to achieve more. The annual membership goes into our signature fund, Love Norfolk. Half is used straight away to support charitable organisations and community groups, while the other half is invested in the Love Norfolk endowment fund to support future grant giving.
2008 – grassroots action
Grassroots Grants (2008)
In the summer of 2008 the Government announced a nationwide programme aimed at strengthening local communities. The Grassroots Grants Programme challenged the Norfolk Community Foundation to raise £1.6 million in new endowment by 31st March 2011. We smashed this goal thanks in no small part to His Majesty the King, who agreed to host a reception at Sandringham House for the Norfolk Community Foundation, prospective donors and donors. It signalled his deep commitment to Norfolk and the small charities – mostly run by volunteers – which keep the county both caring and vibrant. The event raised £500,000.
This secured government match funding of £1 for every £2 donated by our donors, supporting grant giving across Norfolk. The Government also awarded the Norfolk Community Foundation a three-year grant fund of £1.1 million to support and develop local grassroots voluntary and community groups. This grants programme was designed to put funding into new projects and to enable existing projects to continue their valuable work.
For example, Norfolk LGBT+ Project got funding to raise awareness of its services. The Project, which was by now taking huge strides to support LGBT+ people in our county, received a small grant to support the publication of materials for the newly-launched Norwich Pride event and to create their website – which has since become a go-to resource for LGBT+ support locally.
2009 – we love norfolk
Love Norfolk launched
Love Norfolk started humbly in 2009 as a way of bringing together donations of all sizes to support a range of causes in our county. Since then, it has grown to become one of our most popular and impactful funds.
Love Norfolk is unique because it is one of our most versatile funds. Its open-ended format means that it truly responds to community needs, helping charitable organisations solve local problems.
Anyone involved in voluntary charitable work knows that it can be difficult to raise money. It is also a skill to apply it well. The Norfolk Community Foundation has been brilliant at both. I congratulate it on achieving this milestone of giving, and also on becoming the well informed and creative hub which helps others to enrich our community.
Putting the ‘you’ into community
Norfolk Community Foundation is here for good. We’ve achieved so much because of your support, and now more than ever we need your help to help Norfolk shine brighter. We’ve invested £50 million in Norfolk communities since 2005, but we’re only just getting started. Norfolk people are passionate and our bold charities take action to address issues on your doorstep. We can only continue to fund their brilliant work thanks to generous donations from people like you.
Whether you want to make a donation to one of our missions to support emerging community need, join one of our giving circles to amplify your donation, leave a legacy, or set up a bespoke fund of your own, get in touch today to help Norfolk shine brighter.
Building and growing…
Norfolk Community Foundation had become one of the most successful community foundations in the UK. It was during this period that we saw more funding being requested to meet basic needs. Growing demand meant that expanding our base for giving was essential. Under the directorship of Graham Tuttle, the Foundation experienced a period of steady growth. There was a significant increase in individuals who were contributing to the Foundation’s work, which was vital to support the new and emerging needs of Norfolk communities.
Before long the number of grants awarded annually rose from 349 in 2007 to 1,330 by 2017. Before long, the Foundation was regularly giving £3 million a year to Norfolk’s charity and voluntary groups.
It is around this time, too, that the Foundation became an established partner in delivering joined-up support across the county. We partnered with the Eastern Daily Press help to raise funds to support the victims of the 2013 tidal surge – a relationship that continues to this day, with the paper giving annual coverage for our Surviving Winter campaign.
2011
- First Surviving Winter Campaign launched.
2012
- Bursaries scheme focusing on NEET young people launched.
- Construction Fund launched on behalf of Norfolk County Council. Our largest ever funding scheme, it provided funds for capital projects across Norfolk.
2014
- £15 million awarded since 2005.
2016
- £20 million awarded since 2005.
2017
- Claire Cullens becomes CEO of Norfolk Community Foundation.
- UKCF celebrates distributing £1 billion in grants across all 46 Community Foundations.
2010 – J P Blanch’s Legacy
J P Blanch Fund Established
Leaving a gift in your will is a way of creating something of real and lasting value for local communities. Many local people have entrusted Norfolk Community Foundation to make sure future generations feel the benefit of their love for Norfolk; such as local car enthusiast J P Blanch.
A retired wheelwright, he had led a quiet life in rural Norfolk since the 1950s. When he passed away in 2008, a collection of rare classic cars was found scattered around his dilapidated estate – some of which were over 80 years old. The sale of the cars created a fund that now serves as a lasting legacy of Mr Blanch’s passion for the automotive industry.
Over the years, the fund has provided dozens of apprenticeship and engineering opportunities across the county. This includes funding apprenticeship places at local vehicle and engineering firms, as well as sponsoring places on the aspirational Arkwright Scholarship programme. The fund has also provided equipment for local educational facilities, such as St Edmund’s Society in Norwich, which recently benefitted from a new vehicle inspection lift.
More recently, the fund has adapted to a rapidly changing technological landscape, now also considering grants to local charities and community groups to support the growth of electric vehicles and agricultural technology. Kickstart, for example, recently expanded their fleet of mopeds to include battery-powered options – allowing young people to train on what will be the future of road vehicles.
Fund Ambassador Peter Franzen OBE said: ”I am sure that Mr Blanch would be delighted with the opportunities his fund has opened up for local people to achieve their ambitions in the automotive industry. Equally, he would be amazed at the way technology is changing the face of automotive engineering, and that his fund is playing a part in that”.
2011 – surviving winter together
Surviving Winter launched
The Surviving Winter Appeal has now been established for over a decade. Working each year with the Eastern Daily Press, the fundraiser asks people to make a donation to support vulnerable people in Norfolk over the coldest months. The fund is then distributed to local organisations.
For the past 3 years, we have supported groups through our Community Hot-Spots programme. We’ve now worked with over 100 organisations to provide Community Hot-Spots – local spaces where people can go to be warm and well this winter. We were able to deliver this programme thanks to contributions from the public into our Surviving Winter fund.
The fund has also previously supported projects like Age UK Norfolk, which runs a range of projects for older people. They have used Surviving Winter funds to provide services ranging from energy bills support to hot meal services and programmes which aim to reduce social isolation. Norfolk has a larger-than-average population of older people, with around 1 in 4 living alone. This means that Age UK’s work is vital for increasing social inclusion and protecting the most vulnerable during the winter months.
It has also regularly supported Kings Lynn Winter Night Shelter, which makes sure people experiencing homelessness have a warm, safe space to sleep while helping them move into more secure accommodation. They support between 70 – 100 guests each year and have received multiple grants since being founded in 2017. Thanks to various funding opportunities over the past five years, they have been able to move to a larger building, employ more staff, and offer more services.
2013 – the floods & rebuilding
Flood Appeal & The Norfolk Construction Fund
Flood Appeal
In December 2013, the most serious tidal surge for over 60 years hit the Norfolk coast. The flooding caused millions of pounds worth of damage to coastal infrastructure, homes and businesses. Within hours, the EDP Norfolk & Lowestoft Flood Appeal was Launched.
The appeal, led by the EDP and administered by the Foundation, took a multi-agency approach including local councils, the police and search and rescue teams. The EDP appeal raised an astonishing £330,000. Council officers on the ground helped assess and refer individuals and families to the Foundation for emergency support.
Donations came from individuals, local businesses, Rotary groups, MPs, village committees, and more, demonstrating the impact of what can happen when Norfolk comes together to help Norfolk. Over 250 grants were handed out to those most affected by the appeal.
The appeal left a legacy which went beyond the crisis itself and prompted national debate, with the EDP and the Foundation being invited to speak at the House of Commons. It highlighted the wider role that Norfolk Community Foundation can play within our local communities in times of Crisis.
The Norfolk Construction Fund – The White Horse, Upton
Rural communities have seen a decline in the services available to them in recent years. From losing pubs, post offices and shops to village halls and schools becoming unusable due to underinvestment, something had to be done. The Norfolk Construction Fund provided millions of pounds to help communities improve local spaces, provide sports facilities, create new play areas and develop their village halls. The Norfolk Construction Fund was delivered by the Foundation on behalf of Norfolk County Council. Some communities took creative approaches to improve life in their area.
The White Horse has provided locals and visitors to Upton with a comfortable and friendly place to meet, relax and enjoy good food and drink for over 200 years. When this was put at risk, the community came together collectively to purchase the pub. In July 2012 the pub was purchased by the community with additional support from The Prince’s Countryside Fund, Broadland Community Grants, Broadland Community Renewables and the Norfolk Community Foundation. The Foundation’s grant helped to pay for renovations to outbuildings to create flexible spaces for community use – and now includes a shop.
2017 – helping carers in norfolk
Norfolk Millennium Trust for Carers moves to the Foundation
The Trust was born out of the We Care Appeal, launched through the Eastern Daily Press, in October 1998 after research identified the huge number of unpaid carers and the need to help them. The appeal’s aim was simple – to establish an enduring charitable trust giving financial and practical help to unpaid carers in their crucial and often undervalued roles.
In 2017, Norfolk Community Foundation was appointed to undertake the management and administration of the Norfolk Millennium Trust for Carers. Individuals referred to the fund can apply for things as short breaks to enable the carer to have a rest from their caring role, leisure activities, computers, craft materials or anything that can improve the quality of the carer in question.
When the EDP first began the campaign in the late 1990s, there was little awareness of what an unpaid carer was, and the pressures they faced. Changes in available benefits and greater awareness in recent years thanks to local advocacy groups, like Carers Matter, have meant that more unpaid carers are getting the recognition they deserve – and has also meant that the fund has gained a lot more awareness.
Within the last year, demand for grants has increased almost twofold. Working with an expert panel of decision-makers, the Foundation helps to make sure that the well never runs dry, and ensures that (as ever) most who apply can receive the funds they want.
Looking back, and looking forward: a staff perspective
There were just a couple of members of staff when the Foundation first started out. Now, with annual grant giving exceeding £4 million, a network of 10+ social supermarkets and thousands of grant applications each year, our staff team has grown accordingly. Take a look at some reflections from our newest recruits, as well as our longest-standing staff members.
Clive – Joined 2008
“When I joined in 2008, the Foundation was still in its infancy but was taking its first steps towards being a more significant force in the county. In the previous year it had made grants totalling £95,301, but in the year I arrived this shot up to a then remarkable £581,100. A large part of the Foundation’s grant making at that time focused on improving the quality of life for people in Norfolk with funding supporting village halls, projects working with disabled people and youth focused projects.
In 2008, I would never have imagined that, 14 years later, our focus would have shifted so significantly towards helping people with basic physiological needs – keeping warm and having access to food and clothing. These were not issues that featured in our work in the early years – indeed we did not encounter a foodbank in Norfolk until 2012!
Times have changed and will continue to change, but Norfolk Community Foundation will adapt and grow and continue to help meet whatever needs emerge in the coming years.”
Billie – Joined 2022
“I originally came into contact with the Foundation when we worked together in 2020 with Breckland Council to open Norfolk’s first ‘social supermarket’: The Burrell Shop.
At this time, the Foundation hoped this pilot would help pave the way for a series of similar charitable food hubs across the county, supporting around 15,000 people with affordable groceries. When I left The Burrell Shop to lead the Nourishing Norfolk network in 2023, we were already supporting over 15,000 people, and that figure has more than doubled since then. We knew the need was great, but we didn’t expect to find so many – especially so many working people – accessing this support. The Foundation now operates a warehouse to help supply the 25+ food hubs and mobile food offers that exist across the county, helping families and individuals access food they can afford.
The hubs have changed in character, too, with much more support on offer to help people get what they need to start their journey away from food insecurity. I feel proud to be part of something that is helping so many across the county. It’s been a pleasure to lead the network thus far, and I’ve met some amazing people in the process. The network is always changing and growing, and I’m proud to be a part of that.”
Jodie – Joined 2023
“I’ve been at the Foundation for almost 2 years now. I started as Programmes Support Advisor in Summer 2023. During my first few weeks at the foundation, I worked to support the team with the Sir Norman Lamb Coalition for Young People – owing to my background in youth work. It was an amazing opportunity to really get to grips with not only the incredible breadth but the immense depth of the work the Foundation does and continues to do. I’m just about to step into the role of Coalition Coordinator – meaning I can help shape this programme and its impact going forward. Recently, I have also been engaging with communities as part of our community insight work, looking into the impact of DCMS funding in Great Yarmouth on volunteering.”
Sophie – Joined 20XX & 2024
“I have always worked in Norfolk’s charitable sector. When I first joined Norfolk Community Foundation as a Grants Officer in 2020, I quickly came to appreciate the vital role the Foundation plays in strengthening our local charitable community. Every day, I saw the impact that grassroots organisations were making across Norfolk, and I felt privileged to be part of a team that supported them to do even more.
I took the opportunity to step away and work for a national charity based in King’s Lynn that I was deeply passionate about. Immersing myself again in frontline work was extremely rewarding however I really missed the local focus of working with supporters and delivering impact in Norfolk. It reinforced what makes Norfolk so special and just how essential local funding, guidance, and collaboration is to sustaining the incredible work happening in our communities.
It was the missing connection to Norfolk that pulled me back to the Foundation—the chance to make a difference across the county. Our county is full of dedicated charities tackling complex social issues, and I wanted to help them not just survive, but thrive. That’s what drew me back to set up the Good for Good programme—an initiative designed to harness the power of local businesses, bringing fresh resources and support to the charities that need them most.
With my extensive experience in the local social sector, I know how much potential there is in Norfolk when people come together with a shared vision. Every day I wake up excited to help nurture that spirit of collaboration, connecting those who want to help with those who need it. I’m incredibly proud to be back, helping to build a stronger, more connected future for our communities.”
Putting communities at the heart of what we do…
By the time Claire Cullens stepped into the role of Chief Executive at the end of 2017, community needs had changed dramatically since 2005. The Foundation had to evolve to meet the demands brought about by these changes. Increasingly, support was needed for more basic needs, like feeding communities and keeping them warm. The Foundation had to become more than just another funder in order to fulfil its vision of building stronger communities from the ground up.
Addressing short-term impact was crucial, but creating long-term solutions was essential, so the Foundation began working much more closely with communities to start understanding and unpicking the problems in our county. Strategic funds were created to address long-term problems, such as hunger, inequality and vulnerability.
The strong donor base established under Graham Tuttle continued to fund important projects, and many were inspired to support areas of emerging need through the new strategic funds. While the Foundation continued to be a centre of individual giving and philanthropy, as it is today, we began to explore new ways of engaging people with local giving. This different, responsive way of working set the groundwork for the Foundation’s biggest challenge: the pandemic.
Covid-19 changed the face of charity work overnight. Groups were forced to respond innovatively and instantly to new rules and restrictions, and we knew we had to act equally as fast to make sure that we could support this work. We doubled the number of people giving, forged innovative cross-sector partnerships, and responded to issues as they unfolded. We raised over £1 million from local donors and delivered £4 million in total in response to support Norfolk’s established and emerging charities who support the most vulnerable.
Emerging from the lockdowns, we continued providing support as we look to rebuild communities in the most difficult of times. The cost-of-living crisis was developing at an alarming rate, so we continued to work with communities and donors to provide innovative solutions to the challenges that lay ahead.
2018
- Norfolk ProHelp becomes part of Norfolk Community Foundation
- Together for Women and Girls fund launched
- Annual photo competition launched, giving groups a chance to win cash prizes while sharing their work with their community
2019
- Sir Norman Lamb establishes the Sir Norman Lamb Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund
- Launch of Thetford Shines Brighter, inspiring giving at a hyper-local level
2020
- Covid-19 Community Response Fund rolls out rapidly to support Norfolk communities
- Burrell Shop Launched, Norfolk’s first Community Supermarket and the first member of the Nourishing Norfolk Network
- Sir Norman Lamb Coalition for Young People launched
2021
- £4 million+ invested in communities since the start of the pandemic
- Every Child Online appeal gets 5,000 young people accessing a device and reconnecting with education and friends
- Norfolk at its Best book launched
- The Norfolk Household Support Fund was launched – and we have just delivered its biggest round yet
2018 – a different kind of help
Norfolk ProHelp moves in-house
Norfolk ProHelp matches community groups looking for support with professional firms that can help them. Starting life as an independent organisation, Norfolk ProHelp recruited law firms, accountants, surveyors, architects and digital agencies to conduct discrete pieces of work for local charities at no cost.
Since 2018, the organisation has become part of Norfolk Community Foundation and worked in partnership to build a professional network and help more charities access the skills and expertise they need. As the Foundation was well-networked with Norfolk’s charities and had also maintained excellent relationships with businesses since its inception, it was the perfect fit and has allowed the scheme to achieve more than ever before.
Lauren Birch joined the Foundation in 2022 with Norfolk ProHelp as her sole focus. Since then, the pro bono programme has been going from strength to strength this year, with many new projects getting off the ground thanks to Lauren’s careful linking of charities with business support. With the recent launch and expansion of our Good for Good programme, ProHelp has now become ‘The Skills Exchange’ – doing the same great work under a brand new name, but also offering more ways for businesses to help through mentoring and coaching.
2020 – Covid-19 emergency response
Covid-19 Community Response
The most vulnerable people in our communities rely on local support for day-to-day help, support and companionship. Covid-19 threatened to cut these lifelines when they were needed most.
The pandemic was a shock to the system that transformed overnight the ways in which charities and voluntary organisations across Norfolk worked in their communities. Our charities and volunteers stepped up to adapt and grow their vital services with incredible speed and commitment, offering the lifeline that has got us through the last two years.
As an organisation with over 15 years of grant-making experience, we were chosen to lead the local charity response to the pandemic. Without a rule book to manage a crisis, our actions were guided by our values. We worked collaboratively, at pace and with process in an ever evolving landscape. Throughout the pandemic, national and local funders have come together through the Norfolk Community Foundation to support local communities.
We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for our appeal from people across Norfolk— every single donation, large or small, provided immediate help to the charities on the frontline. By the end of April 2020 – just one month after the start of the first lockdown – we had raised over £1 million. By September this had grown to £2 million, and when combined with statutory funding, it meant that by the end of the lockdowns in 2021 we were able to invest almost £4 million in Norfolk communities. This investment meant that groups were able to carry on their essential work during the lockdowns and emerge as strong as ever once restrictions ended.
It is very exciting to see just how quickly money has been able to help people who are isolated, hungry, worried or lonely through local community groups and charities. NCF’s local knowledge has meant that help has got to where it is really needed at street or village level very rapidly. (General The Lord Richard Dannatt, Chairman, The National Emergencies Trust)
2020 – Supporting Young People’s Mental health
Sir Norman Lamb Coalition for Young People
When Sir Norman Lamb set up the Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund with Norfolk Community Foundation, it was with an ambition of showing how Norfolk can lead the way by coming together to make a real difference. Faced with long waiting times to access clinical services, Sir Norman saw how grassroots charities and community groups were stepping up to fill this gap. The Sir Norman Lamb Coalition for Young People was founded to better support these groups in Norfolk.
Norfolk Community Foundation understands the value of trusting network members to deliver solutions and generate their own means of supporting themselves and each other. Greater than the sum of its parts, the Coalition is transforming young peoples’ lives across Norfolk.
Since being established in November 2020, the Coalition has gone from strength to strength, providing over £420,000 worth of support to its 51 member organisations working with over 10,000 young people across Norfolk.
An external evaluation of the first grants in 2021 demonstrated the positive impact the funding was having, with 90% of young people reporting improved wellbeing. The supported projects have delivered nearly 15,000 hours of support at a cost of less than £68 per young person. Since then, the Sir Norman Lamb Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund has delivered further funding to support Coalition members, alongside bringing in additional funding from partners such as the Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group.
2021 – Every Child Online
Every Child Online
As England settled into another lockdown in January 2021, we worked with our partners, Norfolk County Council and the Eastern Daily Press, to launch the Every Child Online campaign. Our aim was simple: to ensure every school-age child in Norfolk had a digital device and internet connection, so they could learn from home. We were determined that no child would be left behind in their learning because of digital disadvantage.
We contacted every school in Norfolk to find out from teachers on the frontline where the gaps were and which of their students were struggling due to limited or lack of access to an appropriate computer. Working with the Eastern Daily Press, we called on businesses and organisations to give pre-used, corporate devices to the Council, to be refurbished and distributed to schools. People were also invited to make a financial donation to the appeal.
Thanks to everyone who got involved, we were able to deliver 5,000 devices to Norfolk schools. Along with donations from the public, we received amazing contributions from businesses such as Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm in Great Yarmouth, Sheringham Shoal Offshore Windfarm and Lotus Cars.
As well as reaching out to schools to identify students in need of this support, we worked with charity partners engaging with young people outside of mainstream education who desperately needed to access technology to learn, communicate and apply for work. Thanks to a partnership with Candour Marketing and Osiris IT, we were able to deliver a further 46 devices to young people who would otherwise have no access to one.
Dougal, aged 15, lives with his six siblings. There were insufficient resources within the home to enable each child to access their learning activities provided by school. Dougal’s mum says: “Dougal is now using the new laptop to access the school timetable. I’m so grateful for the support as it will really help Dougal get back into learning. He has not been very motivated to learn until now, but this has changed thanks to his new device.”
During the Covid-19 crisis the Norfolk Community Foundation has truly demonstrated its value and impact by being able to support those in greatest need. Grants have been distributed in unprecedented volume and speed. The Foundation continues to get to the heart of communities and is well positioned for future work.
Changing, growing, thriving…
The pandemic turned life completely upside-down for 2 years, and as the dust settled, the Foundation continued moving at pace to address the challenges of a post-lockdown world.
The Cost of Living crisis has hung over this period, marked by a steep rise in inflation felt most keenly in energy and food costs. We saw that families and individuals who were ‘just getting by’ were suddenly faced by new challenges. From collaborating with food hubs to help people with food costs to working with the county council to deliver the millions of the Government’s Household Support Fund in the most deprived communities, we continued working with diverse partners to help those most in need at this time of crisis.
Addressing short-term challenges was crucial, but creating long-term solutions was essential, so the Foundation began working much more closely with communities to start understanding and unpicking the problems in our county. We accelerated our learning programme, and further embedded insight work into our daily practice at the Foundation, keenly observing emerging trends and uncovering challenges tackle. As a result of this work, we have now defined 6 missions to begin to address long-term problems, such as hunger, childhood inequality and environmental challenges. These missions will drive our work as we continue to work with communities and donors to provide innovative solutions to the challenges ahead.
While the Foundation has morphed to meet the changing world around it, one thing sits at its core and remains as firmly there as it was 20 years ago: none of this is possible if we don’t come together. Our mantra for many years has been ‘Together, Norfolk shines brighter’, and we repeat it because it is true. We are continually partnering with others to continue to achieve our shared vision for Norfolk. From local businesses to innovative charities, statutory partners, national funders and determined individuals, we are always convening, creating and collaborating to focus shared effort and drive on building a Norfolk where everyone has the opportunity to live their best life.
While we are kicking off 2025 with Illuminate: a celebration of what we have achieved together, it does not mean that our work is done. With £50 million invested in the last 20 years, we continue to look ahead and chart a course for a Norfolk where everyone can be the best possible version of themselves.
2022
- First ‘Ask Us About…’ sessions launched via Norfolk ProHelp
- 9 more affordable, local Food Hubs are launched, including the Breckland Mobile Food Store and Coastal Community Supermarket, bringing the total 10
- Professional Advisor ‘Think Tank’ group created
- 120+ Community Hot-Spots offering warm spaces thanks to Foundation funding
2023
- The Foundation begins to conduct more community research programmes, and leading with this insight
- Nourishing Norfolk opens a central warehouse in partnership with Norse Group to supply food hubs
- 13 more Nourishing Norfolk food hubs launch, bringing the total to 23
2024
- Fiona McDiarmid becomes the Chair of Norfolk Community Foundation
- A record-breaking £7million is invested in Norfolk through the Foundation
- The Good for Good Programme launches, making it easier for businesses to support charities
- 6 missions are identified and launched, giving new focus for the Foundation
- Microgrants programme is launched, helping fledgling groups get off the ground and start making an impact
- 2 more food hubs launch including a mobile food hub covering Breckland, bringing the total to 25
2021 – Household Support Fund
Household Support Fund
The Covid-19 crisis demonstrated the power of small organisations during a big crisis. Over the course of the pandemic, local voluntary, charity and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations supported thousands of vulnerable people in Norfolk. At Norfolk Community Foundation we also stepped up, delivering millions in rapid-response emergency funding.
Likewise, when the early signs of the costs of living crisis emerged in late 2021, the Foundation was chosen once again as a trusted partner by Norfolk County Council to distribute £1 million in assistance to people living in Norfolk. Called the Norfolk Household Support Fund, this was the first time we worked with a broad range of charitable organisations in Norfolk to deliver direct financial support to vulnerable people.
Working with over 140 community groups, we were able to support tens of thousands of households in 2021. The fund drew on all of the Foundation’s core strengths: collaboration, dynamism and responsibility.
This support has been vital as the cost of living crisis has developed over the past year. Groups have been able to provide £50 payments for food or fuel, which has made a big difference to vulnerable people worried about increased costs. Sam from About with Friends said, “we have had a Mum in tears on the phone as she was so overwhelmed. Some members’ parents just could not believe it.”
Most recently, the Foundation delivered over £1 million as the Community Based Hardship Support Fund to support groups helping those most affected by the cost of living crisis. Later this year, a new report will be published revealing the details of this transformative fund.
2022 – Nourishing Norfolk
Nourishing Norfolk Network launches
During the pandemic, Norfolk Community Foundation noticed that 1 in 4 funded projects were pop-up food distribution networks. This led to the creation of The Burrell Shop in 2020, Norfolk’s first affordable food hub. It became the founding member of our Nourishing Norfolk Network, and has since been joined by over 10 more hubs operating all over Norfolk.
Each hub supports local people to:
- Make their money go further – Affordable food hubs can cut 45% off a weekly grocery shop, meaning members can see huge savings.
- Link them to support – Hubs are in established community venues, so people can be linked to further support like money management, cooking classes or social groups if they need it.
- Maintain their dignity – Foodbanks provide food in an emergency. Food hubs give people the dignity of choice and the responsibility of managing their food budget.
Food hubs are run by charity partners already working in communities, who build sustainable partnerships with local businesses, supermarkets, suppliers and farmers to provide affordable food to their members. By joining the network, the hubs gain access to a wealth of experience and opportunities and can reach out to each other for help and advice.
As a whole, the Network aims to make sure that no one in Norfolk goes hungry. As the cost of living crisis has deepened, demand for services has exploded. This growth has meant the hubs have had to adapt to meet emerging needs. The Shrublands Community Foodclub, for example, outgrew its original space and has now relocated to a large demountable cabin across the road thanks to a £25k grant from the Norfolk County Council Social Infrastructure Fund, unlocked by the Foundation.
Norfolk Community Foundation coordinates the 25 members of the Nourishing Norfolk Network, linking them to funding opportunities provided by local partners like Breckland Council and Norfolk County Council, as well as national partners like Feeding Britain. We have also been working with the Norse Group to provide centralised warehousing and distribution to all of the hubs so the network can grow faster and go further than ever before.
2023 – Community knowledge
Building community knowledge
At Norfolk Community Foundation, we’re two years into building our own quiet rebellion, challenging the status quo that says that quantitative data and evidence is the only route to understanding communities and that solutions to local challenges are best developed by policy makers and change experts. We have shaped our work on two of the county’s biggest challenges – food insecurity and young people’s mental health – in a fundamentally different way to ‘old power’ traditional local grant making.
Our approach begins with deep insight into local communities, gained by listening to voluntary and community organisations and directly engaging with local people about their challenges, hopes, and ambitions. This understanding has shaped initiatives like our Nourishing Norfolk food hubs, which are located not solely in the ‘most deprived’ areas but in places where poverty exists alongside affluence and support is genuinely needed. We also prioritise collaboration and shared learning to address challenges collectively. Through initiatives like the Sir Norman Lamb Coalition for Young People, we’ve united over 50 Norfolk-based voluntary organisations to improve the wellbeing of children and young people aged 0 to 25.
We have now expanded this approach into 6 areas of work, which we are calling our ‘missions’. Turning the problem on its head, we lead with the needs of our community and convene support around these 6 key areas where we know support is needed, wanted and will make a dfference.
2024 – Good for Good
Good for Good Launched
Norfolk Community Foundation’s Good for Good programme was created to solve two emerging challenges:
- Charities face a landscape where funding is becoming more limited but there is a growing demand for their services
- Businesses want to achieve social impact, but needed a way to demonstrate their impact and engage their staff’s volunteer hours
We knew from Norfolk ProHelp that we could bridge the gap between what businesses wanted to achieve and what charities needed most, so we built the Good for Good programme. By bringing together funding, skills, expertise, and resources in the business sector with the passion and deep local knowledge of charities, Good for Good enables both to achieve more than they could alone.
For charities, the programme provides access to crucial support in addition to financial donations. Businesses share their skills, offering mentorship, training, and professional advice, helping charities build capacity, strengthen governance, and increase their resilience. For businesses, the benefits go beyond social responsibility, offering opportunities to engage employees, build a sense of purpose, and connect with the communities where they operate. By working together, businesses and charities create shared value, addressing local issues in a collaborative way that builds stronger, more vibrant communities.
At the launch event, Ed Savoury, Trustee of Norfolk Community Foundation and Partner at Birketts, spoke about the impact that Birketts have had by working with the foundation:
“I think every business in our region has that responsibility for CSR and it’s an absolute no-brainer to work more closely with the Norfolk Community Foundation to maximise your positive impact on local communities. It’s not whether you’re doing enough but could you do more and if the answer is yes – and I guarantee you the answer will be yes – the Norfolk Community Foundation is part of it. Put your trust in them and you will not look back.”
Join us at Illuminate!
Can you believe it is 20 years since Norfolk Community Foundation was established, helping to connect and support all of those who help make Norfolk thrive? Even harder to believe is that we have invested over £50 million into community initiatives across the county!
Join us at the Norfolk Showground at 6pm on 12th March 2025 as bring Norfolk together to celebrate and spotlight a range of the innovative and impressive projects delivered by remarkable collaborations of voluntary organisations, businesses and communities. Illuminate Norfolk will bring together all of those who have been and will be a part of the continuing story.
Dive into an interactive showcase bringing together those who have shaped and will continue to shape our county’s inspiring story. From street dance to barista training, green cars and community supermarkets, immerse yourself in just some of the innovative and impactful social projects made possible through remarkable collaborations between voluntary organisations, businesses, and communities committed to making a difference.
Illuminate Norfolk is kindly supported by: Barratt & Cooke – Huxley Events – Jamieson Property Search – Jarrolds – Mills & Reeve Solicitors – Osiris IT – Rebecca Osborne Studio Ltd – Richard Jarmy Photography – Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association – Stephenson Smart Accountants and Business Advisors
