Norfolk Community Foundation
Could Norfolk Community Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £1,000 – £5,000
- Where they fund
- King's Lynn & West Norfolk, Breckland, Great Yarmouth, North Norfolk
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Online form
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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norfolkfoundation.comAbout Norfolk Community Foundation
Norfolk Community Foundation is an independent local charity dedicated to strengthening communities across Norfolk by investing in small grassroots organisations. Their mission is to support community-led solutions that harness local knowledge and lived experience to drive sustainable, preventative change. They prioritise authentic collaborations, capacity building, and evidence-based interventions that foster resilience and long-term social value. The Foundation is deeply embedded in Norfolk and focuses on small, local charities addressing intersecting needs like deprivation, social exclusion, and unemployment. Their funding character is person-centred and trauma-informed, often supporting outdoor activities, creative arts, sports access, and digital welfare support.
What Norfolk Community Foundation funds
The Foundation funds a wide range of thematic priorities including support for migrant, refugee and asylum communities, mental health and wellbeing projects for children and young people, and STEM education in schools. They also support community infrastructure, social cohesion, and environmental action. Grants can cover project delivery, core costs, training, and equipment, depending on the programme. Geographically, they focus on Norfolk, with some programmes targeting specific districts such as Breckland, King's Lynn & West Norfolk, Great Yarmouth, and North Norfolk.
Who can apply
Registered charities, community groups, social enterprises, faith groups, and in some cases parish, town, district, or borough councils can apply. Organisations must be based in Norfolk, or clearly operating in Norfolk. The Foundation prioritises grassroots groups with local roots and a clear understanding of their community's needs. Beneficiaries include children, young people up to 25, families in hardship, and disadvantaged rural communities. National charities are not eligible for some programmes.
What Norfolk Community Foundation doesn't fund
The Foundation does not fund large capital projects, statutory services, business ventures, or activities that have already taken place. They also exclude projects primarily benefiting people outside Norfolk, contributions to general appeals, development of land or buildings without legal interest, costs associated with planning permission, activities solely supporting animal welfare or religious/political activity, and medical research or equipment. In-school activities that take place during curriculum or classroom time are also excluded.
How they like to fund
The Foundation welcomes unsolicited applications and offers a variety of grant programmes, each with its own theme, geography, or income focus. Grants can be used for project delivery, core costs, training, or equipment, depending on the programme. They support both one-off and multi-year funding, and some programmes offer revenue and capital grants. The Foundation works in partnership with local councils and other funders to deliver targeted support across Norfolk.
How much does Norfolk Community Foundation give?
Norfolk Community Foundation runs 6 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 72 sourced facts
- Online application form
- Decisions in ~6 weeks
- Online application form
- Next deadline 15 October 2026
- Decisions in ~6 weeks
- Next deadline 14 September 2026
- Online application form
- Decisions in ~6 weeks
- Expression of interest first
- 3 rounds a year
- Decisions in ~2 weeks
- Online application form
- Decisions in ~6 weeks
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 Norfolk Community Foundation funds — and what they won't
A wide range of activities which meet the council's outcomes can be funded through revenue grants, up to £2,500, and capital grants, up to £10,000.
The full exclusions list (11)
- Reimbursement (funding activities that have already taken place)
- Projects primarily benefitting people outside of Norfolk
- Contributions to general appeals
- Development to land/buildings which the applicant does not have a legal interest in
- The costs associated with applying for planning permission
- Activities solely supporting animal welfare
- Activities solely supporting religious/political activity
- Medical research and equipment
- In-school activities that take place in curriculum/ classroom time
- statutory healthcare services
- cannot support your organisation to pilot an activity
Good to know
How to apply to Norfolk Community Foundation
Norfolk Community Foundation takes applications via online form.
- Published programme route: online application form.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Norfolk Community Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Norfolk Community Foundation provide?
Norfolk Community Foundation runs 6 grant programmes — Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Small Grants Scheme: Up to £10,000 · Breckland Council Inspiring Communities: Up to £5,000 · Dudgeon Community STEM in Schools Fund: Up to £10,000 · Handelsbanken Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund: Up to £5,000 · Microgrants Fund: Up to £500 · Welcome to Norfolk Fund: £500 – £5,000.
Where does Norfolk Community Foundation fund charities?
Norfolk Community Foundation funds charities operating in King's Lynn & West Norfolk, Breckland, Great Yarmouth, North Norfolk.
Does Norfolk Community Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Norfolk Community Foundation accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does Norfolk Community Foundation not fund?
Their published exclusions include: Reimbursement (funding activities that have already taken place); Projects primarily benefitting people outside of Norfolk; Contributions to general appeals; Development to land/buildings which the applicant does not have a legal interest in; The costs associated with applying for planning permission. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from Norfolk Community Foundation?
Norfolk Community Foundation takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online application form.
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Could Norfolk Community Foundation be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.