YMCA Norfolk were recently granted £200,000 by Anguish Educational Foundation, following their application for a life coach scheme, allowing service users to access training and build up qualifications.
Originally offering a £200,000 to one charity, or £100,000 to two charities, Anguish decided to offer two grants of £200,000 to two different charities – totalling £400,000. Into Opera, a creative organisation working to engage people into opera through educational projects, were also awarded £200,000.
Chris Herries, Chair of Anguish’s Educational Foundation, said:
“We just couldn’t choose between these two excellent, life-changing projects and decided instead to double the budget.
“We asked for projects which would break negative cycles, and which would enable long-term positive change in the lives of young people – these two projects, in very different ways, will do that really well.”
The Anguish Grant Committee shortlisted YMCA Norfolk along with 4 other applicants among a total of 20 applications. Each shortlisted applicant was invited to a 45 minute conversation – where they discussed their future plans if awarded the grant (Anguish specifically asked applicants to not present their idea, but instead wanted a ‘conversation day’ with each shortlisted applicant).
YMCA Norfolk representatives, Tim Sweeting (CEO) and Susie Knights (Fundraising Manager) spoke about their plans for a 3-year life coach programme for their residents – in order to provide additional assistance to young people; setting life goals, creating tailored action plans and the opportunity to add qualifications to their CV.
Tim Sweeting, YMCA Norfolk CEO, said:
“We are so pleased to receive this funding, which we will invest in breaking the cycle of homelessness for hundreds of young people.
“It has been a breath of fresh air to engage with the trustees of Anguish’s Educational Foundation through this streamlined process that enables more of our energy to go into enabling transformation in the lives of young people.”
Anguish’s Educational Foundation is part of the Norwich Charitable Trusts ( the group name for three ancient Norwich grant-making trusts: Anguish’s Educational Foundation, Norwich Consolidated Charities and the Norwich Freemen’s Charity.) All three make grants both to individuals and to organisations based on their different Objects and Areas of Benefit.
David Hynes, Chief Executive of Norwich Charitable Trusts, said:
“This is the first time we’ve run a grants programme in this way. We’re extremely pleased with the result and very excited to be working in partnership with Into Opera and the YMCA Norfolk.
“Look out for a similar grants round next spring from one of our other two grant-making charities – Norwich Consolidated Charities.”
YMCA Norfolk were also granted an additional £15,000 from the same fund, to go towards their brand new Community Hub, set to launch next year.