DMF Ellis Charitable Trust

The DMF Ellis Charitable Trust is a UK-based grant-making charity established in 2009 under the will of Doree Mary Fitzgerald Ellis, governed by a small group of trustees who meet biannually to steward its resources with a cautious, risk-aware, and traditional approach. Rooted in legacy values of stewardship and impact, it prioritizes charities benefiting elderly people and disadvantaged children, applying income and capital flexibly to health, social care, community development, and enrichment activities that address complex disadvantage, health inequalities, and welfare needs—evidenced by grants to organizations like Autistica, Dogs for Good, Macmillan Cancer Support, Family Fund Trust, and local youth and community groups.

It funds project-specific programming, direct beneficiary support, occasional core costs, and capital needs for well-established UK charities delivering substantive impact for these groups, with a UK-wide remit unbound by regional restrictions.

Eligible applicants must be UK-registered charities, preferably medium-to-large entities with incomes above £500,000 and proven track records; unsolicited applications are not accepted—invitations are at trustees' discretion, with no formal process, forms, or deadlines, though decisions align with spring and autumn meetings.

Typical grants range from £5,000 to £25,000 (often £10,000–£20,000), excluding seed funding, capacity building for startups, or very small/new organizations. Distinctive for its laser focus on elderly and youth disadvantage within a generalist structure, steady grant-making to reputable charities, and absence of strategic programs or geographic biases, it suits established providers evidencing clear benefits for these populations.