Thomas Freke and Lady Norton Charity

The Charity funds a wide variety of causes that directly benefit local residents, including village halls, churches, youth and older people's initiatives, public amenities, heritage preservation, rural infrastructure, and welfare aid for families and vulnerable people. It supports both project costs and revenue funding, often in collaboration with parish councils. All funding is restricted to the Parish of Hannington, Hannington Wick, and five surrounding parishes within the Borough of Swindon, Wiltshire, with explicit priority given to Hannington and Hannington Wick. The Charity responds to diverse local needs and does not have a thematic specialism.

Eligible applicants include small community groups, parish councils, volunteer-led associations, faith groups, and individuals living within the strict geographic area. The Charity gives explicit priority to residents and organisations in Hannington and Hannington Wick. It favours grassroots entities and does not impose income thresholds. Beneficiary groups prioritised include youth, older people, families, and vulnerable individuals. Applicants must be based in or serve the defined parishes.

The Charity does not fund activities outside its defined parishes, large-scale or multi-year projects, unrestricted core costs, or organisations that are not locally based. It also excludes non-local organisations and initiatives that do not directly benefit residents within the area of benefit.

The Charity offers flexible grants for both project and revenue costs. It welcomes unsolicited applications and often works in partnership with parish councils. Funding decisions are made by volunteer trustees, and the Charity has no paid staff. Grants are typically one-off or short-term, reflecting its focus on hyper-local, responsive philanthropy.