Ed De Nunzio Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £122,489 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 2-4 months (trustees meet 4-6 times per year)
• Grant Range: £100 - £10,000 (larger grants considered in exceptional cases)
• Geographic Focus: York and York area only

Contact Details

• Website: www.eddenunziotrust.com
• Email: eddenunziocharitabletrust@gmail.com
• Phone: 01937 832483

Initial inquiries should be made via email describing your organization in 200 words or less and including your funding request amount.

Overview

The Ed De Nunzio Charitable Trust was established in 2011 in memory of Edward De Nunzio, a talented 18-year-old from York who died in a tragic skiing accident while training to become a ski instructor. Ed attended the Minster School and Bootham School, where he achieved 2A*s and 3As at A-level. The Trust, which spent £122,489 in grants during 2024, works exclusively with charities and voluntary organizations in the York area that advance education, offer opportunities, and provide care to young people. The Trust's mission is to “bring sunshine into the lives of other young people” by supporting children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, offering them opportunities to expand their physical, educational, social, and emotional horizons. The Trust has been particularly active in supporting long-term partnerships, having donated over £100,000 to Martin House Children's Hospice since 2013.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General Youth Support Grants: £100 - £10,000 (rolling basis)
• Standard grants for projects benefiting young people aged 5-21 in York area
• Applications accepted year-round and considered at next trustees' meeting
• Multi-Year and Exceptional Grants: Above £10,000
• Available in exceptional cases for sustained impact projects
• Requires special consideration by trustees

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses on projects that help young people aged 5-21 from disadvantaged backgrounds:

• Education advancement - Educational scholarships, learning opportunities, and skills development
• Arts and creative opportunities - Music programs, arts therapy, creative facilities
• Healthcare and wellbeing - Children's hospice care, therapeutic programs, outdoor play facilities
• Social and emotional development - Inclusive community programs, mentoring, youth development initiatives
• Physical activities - Sports, outdoor activities, and physical development opportunities

Recent funded projects include:

• York St John University scholarship program (£12,000 for student bursaries)
• Martin House Children's Hospice (£11,900+ for wheelchair roundabout and orchard swing)
• Upfaders inclusive modern music project (multi-year funding for intensive 12-week courses)
• Bootham School Ed De Nunzio Art School building
• IntoUniversity (educational support for disadvantaged young people)

What They Don't Fund

The Trust explicitly excludes:

• Projects outside York and the York area
• Projects not benefiting children and young people aged 5-21
• Individual applications (must come through charitable organizations)
• General running costs without specific project focus

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by a board of five trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. Trustees meet 4-6 times per year to review applications and make funding decisions. The trustees may require further information or wish to visit organizations before reaching a decision, demonstrating their hands-on approach to grant-making.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust operates a two-stage application process on a rolling basis:

• Description of your organization (200 words or less)
• Funding request amount
• How the project benefits 5-21 year olds in York/York area

1. Formal Application: If your inquiry satisfies the criteria, the Trust will send you a full application form

1. Trustee Review: Applications are considered at the next trustees' meeting (held 4-6 times per year)

1. Site Visits: Trustees may require additional information or wish to visit your organization before making a decision

1. Decision: The Trust endeavors to reply to all applications

Decision Timeline

Applications are considered on a rolling basis at trustees' meetings held 4-6 times throughout the year. From initial inquiry to decision typically takes 2-4 months, depending on when your application is received relative to the next trustees' meeting.

Success Rates

The Trust does not publish application success rate statistics. However, with annual expenditure of £122,489 and grants ranging from £100-£10,000+, they appear to support multiple organizations each year with a mix of small, medium, and larger grants.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed. Contact the Trust directly for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's funding patterns and stated priorities:

Strong alignment with Ed's legacy: The Trust was created to honor Edward De Nunzio's memory and aims to “bring sunshine into the lives of other young people.” Applications that demonstrate how they will create positive, transformative opportunities for disadvantaged young people in York resonate strongly with the Trust's mission.

Focus on disadvantaged young people: The Trust explicitly prioritizes supporting children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Applications should clearly articulate how the project will reach and benefit young people who face barriers to opportunities.

Expanding horizons: The Trust values projects that help young people expand their “physical, educational, social and emotional horizons.” Applications should demonstrate how the project opens up new opportunities not otherwise available to participants.

York area focus: The Trust exclusively supports organizations working with young people who live in York and the York area. Geographic eligibility is non-negotiable.

Long-term partnerships: The Trust has demonstrated commitment to sustained partnerships (e.g., over £100,000 to Martin House since 2013, multi-year funding to Upfaders). Organizations seeking initial funding should consider the potential for ongoing relationship building.

Clear age range: Projects must clearly benefit 5-21 year olds. The Trust has a specific age focus and applications outside this range will not be considered.

Organizational credibility: The Trust works with established charities and voluntary organizations. Having charitable status and a track record of delivering services to young people strengthens applications.

Concise initial approach: The requirement for a 200-word initial description indicates the Trust values clarity and conciseness. Make your case clearly and directly from the outset.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic specificity is critical - Only organizations serving young people who live in York and the York area are eligible; this is strictly enforced
• Start with a concise email inquiry - The 200-word initial description requirement means you need to make your case clearly and compellingly from the first contact
• Demonstrate impact on disadvantaged youth - Show how your project specifically reaches and benefits young people facing barriers to opportunities
• Think beyond single grants - The Trust's history of multi-year funding and long-term partnerships suggests they value sustained relationships with effective organizations
• Be patient with the timeline - With trustees meeting 4-6 times annually, factor in 2-4 months from application to decision
• Welcome trustee engagement - The Trust may wish to visit your organization, which signals their hands-on approach and genuine interest in understanding your work
• Consider the full grant range - While £100-£10,000 is standard, larger and multi-year grants are possible for exceptional projects demonstrating significant impact

References

• Ed De Nunzio Charitable Trust official website: https://eddenunziotrust.com/
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/5023831 (Charity number 1144836
• Yorkshire Post: "Local charitable trust donates thousands to children's hospice" (2025)
• York St John University: “Alumni scholarship” news article, 2024
• York St John University: “Ed De Nunzio Charitable Trust” news article, 2021
• IntoUniversity Supporters page: https://intouniversity.org/supporter/the-ed-de-nunzio-charitable-trust/