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Continuing a charitable legacy to make a difference in our community.

Holkham has, and always will be, inseparable from its local community, which explains why we are committed to our ambition to ‘be a force for good in helping local communities to thrive, by providing employment, homes, and support for local businesses and charities’.

For many generations we have provided village halls, scout huts, meeting rooms and playing fields rent free for local groups and villages, in addition to hosting community events. We support and sponsor local activities that foster a sense of community, like the Wells Carnival and Norfolk Superhero Challenge.

We also champion local makers and producers in our gift shop, cafés and The Victoria. We prioritise people working within our local community when it comes to tenants, and we continue to invest in growing an exciting business hub for local enterprises at Holkham Studios on the estate.

Back in 1979, the 7th Earl of Leicester set up the Viscount Coke Charitable Fund to support and gain support for his philanthropic projects in the community, supporting local charities and elderly residents of the estate facing financial hardship. Inherited by the current Earl of Leicester, the financial support Holkham has been able to generate for local charities and good causes has grown steadily in the last decade – totaling nearly half a million pounds. The fund has evolved in a slightly disjointed way, and so a new foundation, The Holkham Charitable Foundation, has been launched to become more transparent about the causes Holkham is able to support and to be more ambitious in the impact the estate can have. Lord and Lady Leicester’s wish is for the Charitable Foundation to make a noticeable, positive impact to causes that can be accessed widely in our communities or to help disadvantaged groups in the NR23 and PE31 areas. This is to be achieved by supporting small local charities, social enterprises, voluntary groups, not-for-profit organisations, clubs, societies, and schools. In parallel to this strong local focus, the foundation will continue Holkham’s long-running support for these specific causes, close to the family’s hearts: Wildlife and Conservation, Historic Buildings, Injured members of the Armed Forces, and Caring for the Elderly.

To Apply: Applications for grants should be made for the attention of The Trustees of the Holkham Charitable Foundation and should be sent either by post to the Holkham Estate Office or to enquiries@holkham.co.uk

Raffle prizes and small donations

The Holkham Estate regularly supports local charities, schools, and businesses with raffle prizes, such as family tickets to Holkham attractions. If you wish to apply for a small donation or raffle prize, please send an email to enquiries@holkham.co.uk.

Please note, we are only able to offer raffle prizes to schools and causes within a 20-mile radius of Holkham, and to those that tie in with our charity policy outlined above.

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Events and sponsorship

We are often contacted by organisations who would like to use Holkham to stage charitable events. Holkham park is suitable for a wide range of outdoor events and activities such as walks, runs, swims and cycles, as well as concerts and fairs.

The hall is suitable for small concerts, recitals and talks, as well as receptions and dinners, as is our dedicated events venue, The Lady Elizabeth Wing, which has a much larger capacity.

If you would like to hold an event at Holkham, please contact our events team at events@holkham.co.uk.

Holkham sponsors several events each year, particularly those taking place on the Estate. Please contact Holkham Estate Office for sponsorship requests.

Inform, influence and inspire

Education and learning is a feature of all that we do at Holkham and we aim to share as much of the estate as possible for visiting groups – be they primary, secondary or university students or academic professionals. We also offer a diverse range of work experience placements and apprenticeship opportunities. From our historic buildings and chattels to farming and conservation, a working estate such as Holkham offers an array of subject material to inspire young and mature minds alike.

To find out more about arranging an educational visit contact Sophie Barnett at s.barnett@holkham.co.uk.

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