Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation

Could Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants
£500 – £10,000
Where they fund
Taunton Deane
Applications
Accepted
How to apply
Online form

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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bfef.org.uk

About Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation

Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation is a local endowment supporting young people aged 11–24 in the former Taunton Deane borough of Somerset. Its roots trace back to the founding of Bishop Fox's School, and the Foundation was formalised in the mid-twentieth century with a later reconstitution. The Foundation's mission is to broaden opportunities, remove financial barriers, and promote social mobility for local young people. Its values centre on inclusiveness, aspiration, and addressing genuine need. The Foundation provides three types of grant: Uniform Grants for Year 7 starters, Individual Grants for young people to access education, training, sports, arts, and personal development, and Grants for Schools and Organisations to improve educational attainment, music, arts, sport, or outward-bound activities. They primarily benefit young people with financial need, and priority is given to students eligible for Pupil Premium or Free School Meals.

What Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation funds

The Foundation funds activities that broaden opportunities for young people aged 11–24 in the former Taunton Deane borough. Individual Grants support access to education and training, sports and recreation, arts and culture, employment activities, and personal development. Costs covered include equipment, training, events, and transport. Grants for Schools and Organisations focus on improving educational attainment, music and other arts, sport, and outward-bound activities. These can fund capital works, equipment, and project delivery. Uniform Grants are available specifically for Year 7 starters. All grants are for young people with a connection to Taunton Deane, and priority is given to those from families eligible for Pupil Premium or Free School Meals.

Who can apply

Applications are accepted from individuals aged 11–24 with a connection to the former Taunton Deane borough, as well as from registered charities, schools, and community groups based in the area. The Foundation primarily benefits young people with financial need, and priority is given to students eligible for Pupil Premium or Free School Meals, followed by those whose families receive Universal Credit. There is no religious restriction. Individual grants are available for young people to access education, training, sports, arts, and personal development, while schools and organisations can apply for projects that meet the Foundation's criteria.

What Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation doesn't fund

The Foundation does not support fees for higher education courses that are eligible for student loans. It will not normally award grants for musical instruments, except in exceptional circumstances. Grants are also not available for fees or travel costs for further education courses (ages 16–18) where similar free courses are available locally. The Foundation does not fund core costs or unrestricted funding. Uniform Grants are only for Year 7 starters and only for students eligible for free school meals, pupil premium, and/or universal credit.

How they like to fund

The Foundation offers three distinct types of grant: Uniform Grants for Year 7 starters, Individual Grants, and Grants for Schools and Organisations. They welcome unsolicited applications. Funding is typically for specific costs such as equipment, training, events, transport, capital works, and project delivery. The Foundation acts as a catalyst for improved attainment, employability, arts, sports, and community engagement, focusing on addressing genuine need and removing financial barriers for local young people.

How much does Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation give?

Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation runs 3 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

£500 – £10,000

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 31 sourced facts

Grants for Schools and OrganisationsOpen to applications
  • Expression of interest first
  • Next deadline 14 September 2026
Individual GrantsOpen to applications
  • Online application form
  • Next deadline 14 September 2026
  • 4 rounds a year
  • Decisions in ~10 weeks
Uniform GrantsCurrently closed
  • Online application form

Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.

What Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

Projects must focus on at least one of the following criteria: improving educational attainment, music / other arts, sport / outward bound activities.

Costs they'll cover
Capital works & buildingsEquipmentProject deliveryTrainingEventsTransport
The full exclusions list (5)
  • Fees for higher education courses that are eligible for a student loan
  • Musical instruments (unless in exceptional circumstances)
  • We will not normally award grants for fees or travel costs for further education courses (16-18) where similar free courses are available locally
  • Only for Year 7 starters (not years 8–11)
  • Only for students eligible for free school meals / pupil premium and/or universal credit

Good to know

FaithNo restriction
Focus areas
EducationChildren & youth

How to apply to Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation

Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation takes applications via online form.

  • Published programme route: expression of interest first.
  • Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

What Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation's application asks

We hold the 3 questions from Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.

Question 1

We will ask you to provide: your governing document, details of your trustees or committee members, your most recent accounts, evidence of a bank account in your group's name which requires at least two unrelated signatories to authorise transactions, your safeguarding policy.

Question 2

What you ask for should: Be reasonable – it should clearly link to achieving your goal. Be proportionate – it should reflect what you ‘need’ to achieve your goal rather than just what you would ‘like’. Reflect your financial situation – you should ask for an amount that relates directly to your financial circumstances.

1 more question from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.

How it works

  1. 1
    Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
  2. 2
    See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
  3. 3
    Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation provide?

Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation typically provides grants of £500 - £10,000.

Where does Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation fund charities?

Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation funds charities operating in Taunton Deane.

Does Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation accept unsolicited applications?

Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

What does Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation not fund?

Their published exclusions include: Fees for higher education courses that are eligible for a student loan; Musical instruments (unless in exceptional circumstances); We will not normally award grants for fees or travel costs for further education courses (16-18) where similar free courses are available locally; Only for Year 7 starters (not years 8–11); Only for students eligible for free school meals / pupil premium and/or universal credit. The full exclusions list is further up this page.

How do I apply for funding from Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation?

Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation takes applications via online form. Published programme route: expression of interest first.

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Could Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation be a fit?

Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.