In the spring of 1853, The Reverend Doctor John P. Gulliver outlined his plan to establish a privately endowed, independently governed secondary school in Norwich to ten of the “wealthiest and noblest men” in the community. Within one-half hour, he had received his first response in a pledge of $10,000 to support the project. The total number of benefactors reached 35 with individual pledges ranging from $500 to $10,000. This philanthropy brought Dr. Gulliver’s vision to a reality when Norwich Free Academy was incorporated in 1854.

The original incorporators supported the purchase of land, the construction of the first building, and the establishment of an endowment to support faculty. Throughout its history, alumni and community generosity and support have sustained and grown Norwich Free Academy.

Knowing that ongoing financial contributions were necessary to sustain the future of Gulliver’s vision, a group of alumni and friends of the Academy established the Norwich Free Academy Alumni Association in 1896 with the sole purpose of supporting NFA’s programs and students. For nearly 100 years, the Alumni Association managed that charge by securing donations from fellow graduates.

In 1986, the NFA Foundation, Inc., was formed and, in 1991, it assumed all fundraising and alumni engagement programs. The NFA Foundation, Inc. works to secure charitable contributions to support and sustain the vision and mission of the Academy’s incorporators — today and into the future.

Mission: The NFA Foundation, Inc. exists to advance the educational opportunities available at Norwich Free Academy. To support this endeavor, the Foundation solicits and accepts gifts, prudently manages the endowment funds, builds awareness, nurtures relationships and develops partnerships that benefit the Academy’s students and staff.