The Ian And Clare Mattioli Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £624,809 (2022-23)
• Annual Income: £340,302 (2022-23)
• Grant Range: £2,500 - £500,000+
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (with occasional international grants), priority given to Leicester and Leicestershire
• Charity Number: 1178834
• Established: 2016

Contact Details

• Website: www.mattiolicharity.com
• Email: mattiolicharity@gmail.com
• Phone: 0116 402 6604
• Address: 1 New Walk Place, Leicester, LE1 6RU
• How to Apply: mattiolicharity.org.uk/funding (applications only accepted via website)

Overview

The Ian and Clare Mattioli Charitable Trust was established in 2016 by Ian Mattioli MBE (CEO and co-founder of Mattioli Woods PLC) and his wife Clare. The Trust has demonstrated significant philanthropic impact, particularly in Leicester and Leicestershire, with total expenditure of £624,809 in the 2022-23 financial year. The Trust operates with four trustees and five volunteers, with no trustee remuneration.

The Trust's mission is to enhance the lives and opportunities of all people, particularly those from communities and socio-economic groups who are often sidelined and struggle to access opportunities for advancement, personal growth, and full participation in society. Ian Mattioli MBE was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University of Leicester in July 2022 in recognition of his successful business career and philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The Trust makes grants for activities relating to the improvement of social welfare through:

• Health: Health advancement and related activities
• Recreation and Leisure: Amateur sport, community sports facilities, recreational programs
• Education: Educational activities, skills development, student scholarships
• Research: Sponsoring or undertaking research projects
• Employment: Employment support and capacity building
• Community Development: Economic and community development projects
• Environment: Environmental conservation initiatives
• Social Connections: Programs that help establish connections and combat isolation

Who They Help

• Children and young people
• Elderly people
• People with disabilities
• Other charities and voluntary bodies
• General public/communities experiencing socio-economic disadvantage

Geographic Focus

The Trust supports work throughout England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and occasionally internationally (e.g., Malawi). However, they explicitly prioritize applications from Leicester and Leicestershire, their home community.

Grant Types

• Grants to organizations
• Grants to individuals
• Capital projects (e.g., building extensions, facilities)
• Core/operational funding
• Program funding
• Research funding

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Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

Ian Mattioli MBE - Founder

• Co-founded Mattioli Woods PLC over 30 years ago with Bob Woods MBE
• Built company from a converted garage in Leicester to a workforce of over 1,000 with revenues exceeding £108 million
• Awarded MBE for services to business and philanthropy
• Received honorary Doctorate of Laws from University of Leicester (2022)
• Pro-Chancellor at De Montfort University

Clare Mattioli - Co-Founder

Ian Mattioli's statement on the Arena donation reflects the Trust's values:

“Clare and I were keen to ensure we create a continued legacy from the family to the communities of Leicester and Leicestershire... The Riders Foundation team already deliver excellent grassroots basketball programmes and we are pleased that this extension will help increase access to sport for all.”

The Trust has 4 trustees total and operates with 5 volunteers. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are only accepted through the Trust's website. The application portal can be found at mattiolicharity.org.uk/funding.

The Trust states clearly that they “will only respond to applications via the website” - indicating they do not accept postal, email, or phone applications.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly stated. Applicants should expect to hear back only if their application is successful or requires further information.

What to Include in Applications

While detailed application requirements are not publicly documented in available sources, based on the Trust's stated priorities, applications should clearly demonstrate:

• How the project improves social welfare through health, recreation, education, employment, or community connections
• The beneficiaries served, particularly if they are from disadvantaged or sidelined communities
• Connection to Leicester/Leicestershire (if applicable) for priority consideration
• Clear outcomes and impact on the target population
• For capital projects, evidence of community benefit and increased access

Application Success Factors

Geographic Alignment:

The Trust explicitly prioritizes applications from Leicester and Leicestershire. While they fund UK-wide and occasionally internationally, projects with a Leicester/Leicestershire connection appear to have a significant advantage.

Focus on Marginalized Communities:

The Trust's stated mission emphasizes supporting “communities and socio-economic groups who are often sidelined and struggle to access opportunities.” Applications should clearly articulate how the project serves disadvantaged populations due to “youth, age, infirmity, disability, poverty or economic circumstance.”

Community Sports and Recreation:

The Trust has demonstrated strong interest in community sports facilities and programs that increase access to physical activity, particularly for young people, disabled people, and underserved communities. The £500,000 Morningside Arena grant exemplifies this priority.

Educational Access and Opportunity:

The Trust supports educational initiatives that help people develop skills, capacities, and capabilities to participate in society as independent, mature, and responsible individuals. This includes both formal education (scholarships) and skill-building programs.

International Development:

The Trust has shown willingness to fund international projects aligned with their values, particularly poverty alleviation and economic empowerment (e.g., Microloan Foundation in Malawi).

Leverage and Legacy:

Major grants appear tied to projects that create lasting community infrastructure and benefit multiple user groups. The Arena extension created opportunities for national/international events, community sports programs, educational use, and disability sports.

Evidence of Need:

Recent grants to Bounceback Food and Sullivan's Heroes suggest responsiveness to demonstrated need, particularly around poverty, food insecurity, and disability support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Leicester/Leicestershire organizations have priority - emphasize local connections and community impact in your application
• The Trust funds across a very wide grant range - from £2,500 to £500,000+, so don't self-select out based on project size
• Focus on access and opportunity for disadvantaged groups - this is central to the Trust's mission and should be clearly articulated
• Community sports, education, and health projects align well with demonstrated funding patterns
• Capital projects are fundable if they demonstrate broad community benefit and increased access for marginalized groups
• Only apply through the website - the Trust will not respond to applications submitted by other means
• International projects are possible but likely need strong alignment with poverty alleviation and empowerment themes
• The Trust appears to support both organizations and individuals - individual grant applications are accepted

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE FARTHING TRUST
• THE JOHN HORSEMAN TRUST
• THE HUNTING HORN GENERAL CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE TRUEMARK TRUST
• Edith Murphy Foundation
• A J BELL TRUST
• The Manny Cussins Foundation
• The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust
• The Thales Charitable Trust
• The Shoe Zone Trust

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - The Ian and Clare Mattioli Charitable Trust (Charity Number 1178834): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1178834&subid=0

1. Mattioli Charitable Trust official website: https://www.mattiolicharity.com

1. Mattioli Charitable Trust application page: https://mattiolicharity.org.uk/funding

1. "Morningside Arena secures major donation from The Ian & Clare Mattioli Charitable Trust to fund Extension project," British Basketball League: https://www.britishbasketballleague.com/morningside-arena-secures-major-donation-from-the-ian-clare-mattioli-charitable-trust-to-fund-extension-project/

1. “Leicester Arena becomes Mattioli Arena in recognition of charitable trust,” Leicester Riders: https://riders.basketball/leicester-arena-becomes-mattioli-arena-in-recognition-of-charitable-trust/

1. “Ian Mattioli MBE receives honorary degree from University of Leicester,” Mattioli Woods: https://mattioliwoods.com/insights/ian-mattioli-mbe-receives-honorary-degree-from-university-of-leicester/

1. Mattioli Charitable Trust news page: https://mattiolicharity.org.uk/news

1. Charity Commission financial data for year ending 5 April 2023 showing income of £340,302 and expenditure of £624,809