Ellerdale Trust
Could Ellerdale Trust be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.
- Typical grants
- £5,000 – £20,000
- Applications
- Existing partners only
- Decisions
- Once per year
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
Check fit free · no card
register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.ukAbout Ellerdale Trust
The Ellerdale Trust is an independent endowment-funded grant-maker, established in 1998. Its mission is to relieve poverty, distress, and suffering among disadvantaged children and young people, with a particular focus on early years up to age 10 (and an upper limit of 18). Guided by Charity Commission standards, the Trust emphasises front-line relief, capacity building, and enduring change for vulnerable children facing poverty, health challenges, or developmental hardship. It prioritises project funding and practical relief for disadvantaged young people in the UK, backing organisations that deliver tangible outcomes in child welfare. The Trust has a historical emphasis on small to medium-sized local charities with strong governance and track records.
What Ellerdale Trust funds
The Trust funds project-based work and practical relief that directly benefits disadvantaged children and young people, particularly those in early years up to age 10. Cause areas include youth poverty, mental health support, and child protection. All grants are administered exclusively via the London Community Foundation, and eligible applicants must be UK-registered charities operating in London. The Trust focuses on organisations that deliver tangible outcomes in child welfare, with a historical emphasis on small to medium-sized local charities.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities operating in London. The Trust prioritises organisations with strong governance and a proven track record, particularly those serving disadvantaged children and young people facing poverty, health challenges, or developmental hardship. There is no preference for specific income levels, but a focus on established entities prevails. The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications; charities must apply through the London Community Foundation's published calls.
What Ellerdale Trust doesn't fund
The Trust excludes grants to individuals, overseas aid, and unproven organisations. It also prohibits trustee remuneration or fundraising activities to maintain pure grant-making independence and a laser-focused impact on London's early-years child adversity.
How they like to fund
The Trust provides project funding and practical relief, with all grants administered exclusively via the London Community Foundation. It does not accept unsolicited applications; charities must apply through the Foundation's published calls. The Trust emphasises front-line relief, capacity building, and enduring change for vulnerable children.
How much does Ellerdale Trust give?
Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.
When to apply, and how long their decisions take.
Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.
Good to know
How to apply to Ellerdale Trust
Ellerdale Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.
- A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
- If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.
- Decisions are typically once per year.
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Ellerdale Trust.
- 2Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
- 3Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.
See if Ellerdale Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Ellerdale Trust provide?
Ellerdale Trust typically provides grants of £5,000 - £20,000.
Where does Ellerdale Trust fund charities?
Ellerdale Trust funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Ellerdale Trust accept unsolicited applications?
Ellerdale Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Ellerdale Trust?
Ellerdale Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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