R C Snelling Charitable Trust

The R C Snelling Charitable Trust, established in 1999 by Norfolk businessman Roy Snelling, honors his success with the Snelling Group by reinvesting in the local community through discretionary grants. Guided by values of integrity, honesty, Christian principles, and long-term community investment, it focuses on making tangible, one-off impacts within a strict 30-mile radius of Blofield, Norfolk—prioritizing medical, educational, religious (Christian), welfare, and environmental needs. This localist ethos supports practical interventions like equipment provision, capital projects, event funding, project start-up costs, and bursaries (e.g., for science or business students at the University of East Anglia), benefiting individuals, community groups, and institutions to build resilience, as seen in heightened aid during COVID-19.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, community groups, and academic institutions whose work directly serves the Blofield radius, with a preference for small to medium-sized organizations addressing local priorities; no strict income thresholds apply, and unsolicited applications are welcomed. Trustees review submissions quarterly (typically March, June, September, December), with deadlines two weeks prior—exact dates on the website—and decisions within three months.

Grants range from £500 to £25,000 (most £1,000–£8,000), funding projects, equipment, and bursaries but excluding salaries, ongoing running costs, general/national appeals, or multi-year sponsorships. Its distinctive hyper-local focus, founder's personal legacy, and emphasis on measurable, immediate benefits for vulnerable locals set it apart, ensuring enduring community impact without sustained commitments.