The Charles Burnett Memorial Fund
HIWCF is delighted to announce that the Charles Burnett Memorial Fund has been established by the family of the late Charles Burnett, to assist charitable projects and resources across the area where he lived. In his lifetime, Charles supported many worthwhile causes and this new £1 million fund will continue his great charitable legacy, meeting the needs of future generations in our communities and providing a lasting memorial in Charles’s name.
Charles Burnett (1956-2018) resided at Newtown Park House, near Lymington in Hampshire and was very well known locally as the land-speed record holder for a steam-powered car, which he had developed at his house alongside a team of engineers.
The Fund has initially been opened for invitation only grants as directed by the Charles Burnett Memorial Fund Advisory Board, with invited grant applicants able to apply for a minimum grant of £1,000, up to a maximum of £25,000. This will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Charles was a generous philanthropist, enthusiastically supporting a wide range of local charitable causes. The Memorial Fund will continue his passion for supporting organisations involved in animal welfare, the wellbeing of servicemen/women, the environment, medicine and science, heritage, education, community cohesion and welfare issues.
All applications for funding will be administered by HIWCF and assessed by a local advisory board, overseen by those who were close to Charles Burnett. Applicants must be a registered charity or a not-for-profit organisation, based in and operating in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Grant Cornwell MBE, HIWCF Chief Executive said “We would like to thank the family of Charles Burnett for this extremely generous gift, which is one of the largest donations received in our 14 year history. The new Fund will enable the work of the Foundation to move in a new direction and we couldn’t be prouder or more excited to begin transforming the lives of those in need across Hampshire. This new legacy represents an incredible amount of faith in the work of our Community Foundation and means that we can help to meet the needs of future generations for years to come.”
HIWCF focuses on the smaller and lesser well known charities, community groups and voluntary organisations working on the frontline in local communities, supporting their vital services and resources that make such a difference to the lives of those less fortunate. During the coronavirus pandemic, HIWCF has raised over £2.4m to help support local people impacted affected by Covid-19.
Grant Criteria
Exclusions for grant giving
- Organisations NOT within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
- Grants towards political parties
- Proselytising activities i.e. promotion of religion or belief systems
- Public bodies such as local authorities or schools (except for out of school activities)
- National charities
- Applications from individuals
- For equipment that will actually or in effect become the property of a statutory body
