David Riddell Memorial Cio

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £578,866 (charitable expenditure 2023/24)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £25,000
• Decision Time: 2-3 months
• Application Method: Rolling basis
• Geographic Focus: England (UK registered charities only)
• Founded: 29 November 2021

Contact Details

Website: www.davidriddell.org

Email: nicole@davidriddell.org (general) | grants@davidriddell.org (grant applications)

Phone: 07788144275

Overview

The David Riddell Memorial CIO was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 29 November 2021, founded by Nicole Guest in memory of her late husband David Riddell, a successful investment banker who died by suicide at age 48 during an acute psychotic episode. With total income of £966,121 in 2023/24 and charitable expenditure of £578,866, the charity focuses on reducing deaths by suicide through destigmatising mental illness and raising awareness of mental health, particularly amongst people working in the financial services sector and associated industries. The charity operates primarily through grant-making, supporting UK registered charities that align with its mission of suicide awareness and prevention, while also supporting organisations that invest in and empower young people. Nicole Guest, Founder Trustee, emphasises that "Preventing suicide is everyone's business," reflecting the charity's commitment to addressing the leading cause of death for people aged 10-34 in the UK.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Discretionary Grants: £5,000 - £25,000 (rolling basis)
• Grants awarded where trustees believe their contribution “will make a real difference to suicide awareness or prevention”
• Applications accepted year-round with rolling assessment
• Approximately 3-month timeline from submission to funding decision

Priority Areas

• Suicide Awareness and Prevention Programmes: Primary focus, particularly targeting the financial services sector and associated industries
• Innovative Projects: Explicitly prioritised by trustees
• Mental Health Awareness: Programmes that destigmatise mental illness
• Youth Empowerment: Supporting charities that invest in and empower young people
• Full Cost Recovery: Applications including full cost recovery are welcomed
• Core Costs: May be considered when organisational mission aligns with grant criteria

What They Don't Fund

• Organisations with annual income over £1 million (explicitly stated as “unlikely to be successful”)
• Charities with unrestricted reserves exceeding 12 months of expenses
• Non-UK registered organisations (must be UK registered charity, CIO, or Community Interest Company)
• Programmes not focused on charitable purposes

Ready to write a winning application for David Riddell Memorial Cio?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Dr Claire Guest OBE - Chair (appointed 29 November 2021)
• Nicole Elena Guest - Founder Trustee (appointed 29 November 2021), wife of the late David Riddell
• Dr Louise Guest - Trustee (appointed 29 November 2021)
• Stephen Aulsebrook - Trustee (appointed 25 January 2023)
• Pam Jane Bryan - Trustee (appointed 28 November 2023)
• John Gordon MacLennan - Trustee (appointed 28 November 2023)
• Mandip Englund - Trustee (appointed 28 March 2024)

The charity operates with 7 trustees and 2 volunteers. Nicole Guest's leadership emphasises the urgency of suicide prevention, noting that suicide impacts an average of 135 people per death and has an estimated economic cost of £1.46 million per case.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

First Round:

• Submit a brief memo (maximum 2 pages of A4 in 11pt font or larger) to grants@davidriddell.org OR complete online application form
• Required information includes:
• Charity details (name, registered number, full address)
• Contact details (name, email, phone)
• Charity overview (stated aims and objectives, website, staff and volunteer numbers, beneficiary numbers)
• Financial forecasts (current year forecast income and expenditure, latest financial year figures, prior year figures)
• Project summary (maximum 200 words)
• Confirmation of child protection policy (if applicable)
• Confirmation of public/third-party liability insurance
• Latest financial accounts (attachment)

Second Round:

• Shortlisted applicants contacted directly by grants team
• May include assessment visit or video call with trustees
• Additional information may be requested

Decision Timeline

• Applications accepted: Year-round on a rolling basis
• Initial notification: Within 2 months (whether shortlisted for second round)
• Final decision to funding: Approximately 3 months total from submission
• Notification method: Direct contact from grants team

Success Rates

Information not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy information is publicly available. Applicants may wish to contact the grants team for guidance on unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Indicators

1. Smaller Charities Prioritised: Applications from smaller charities are “particularly encouraged”
2. Innovation Matters: “Priority will be given to innovative projects”
3. Clear Impact on Suicide Prevention: Trustees fund where they believe their contribution “will make a real difference to suicide awareness or prevention”
4. Mission Alignment: Strong connection to either suicide prevention/mental health awareness OR youth empowerment
5. Financial Health: Organisations should not have excessive reserves (more than 12 months) or income over £1 million

Recent Funded Project Example

Our Time (£10,000 grant) - KidsTime Workshop support for young people in London boroughs of Ealing, Kensington and Chelsea, and Barnet. The project supports families where there is poor parental mental health, providing monthly after-school workshops creating “unique, innovative, and safe spaces” for up to 60 families including 180 children and young people annually.

Application Best Practices

• Keep project summary concise (200-word limit strictly enforced)
• Demonstrate how project addresses suicide awareness/prevention or youth empowerment
• Emphasise innovative approaches
• Show clear outcome measurements
• Ensure child protection policies are in place (if working with young people)
• Include comprehensive financial forecasts showing sustainability
• Consider including full cost recovery in budget

Language and Terminology

The charity uses direct, destigmatising language about suicide and mental health. Key phrases include:

• “Destigmatising mental illness”
• “Suicide awareness and prevention”
• “Making a real difference”
• “Innovative projects”
• "Preventing suicide is everyone's business"

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Target Small to Medium Charities: If your organisation has income over £1 million or reserves exceeding 12 months, this funder is unlikely to support you. Smaller charities are explicitly encouraged.

1. Innovation Is Critical: Repeatedly emphasised in their criteria. Highlight what makes your approach unique, innovative, or creates safe spaces for vulnerable populations.

1. Be Concise: The 2-page/200-word limits are strictly enforced. Practice precision in your writing and demonstrate impact efficiently.

1. Mission Alignment Is Everything: Your project must directly address suicide awareness/prevention OR youth empowerment. The charity will not fund tangentially related work.

1. Financial Services Connection: While not exclusive, projects targeting the financial services sector and associated industries appear to have strategic alignment with the charity's origins and mission.

1. Rolling Applications Mean Fast Turnaround: Unlike many funders with annual cycles, you can apply anytime and expect a decision within 3 months—plan accordingly.

1. Expect Trustee Engagement: Shortlisted applicants will have direct interaction with trustees via video call or site visit. Be prepared to discuss your work in depth and demonstrate outcomes clearly.

References

1. David Riddell Memorial CIO - Grants page: https://www.davidriddell.org/grants (accessed 16 October 2025)
2. David Riddell Memorial CIO - Grant Application page: https://www.davidriddell.org/grantapplication (accessed 16 October 2025)
3. David Riddell Memorial CIO - Our Vision page: https://www.davidriddell.org/our-vision (accessed 16 October 2025)
4. UK Charity Commission - David Riddell Memorial CIO full record (Charity Number 1196817): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5182476/full-print (accessed 16 October 2025)
5. UK Charity Commission - Trustees information: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5182476/trustees (accessed 16 October 2025)
6. Our Time - Grant award announcement: “Our Time awarded £10,000 grant from The David Riddell Memorial CIO”: https://ourtime.org.uk/news/our-time-awarded-10000-grant-from-the-david-riddell-memorial-cio/ (accessed 16 October 2025)
7. Giving is Great - Charity Factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1196817 (accessed 16 October 2025)