Purey Cust Trust CIO

The Purey Cust Trust CIO, originating from Canon Purey-Cust's 1914 nursing home in York, is a grant-making charity dedicated to promoting and protecting good health among residents of the City of York and its immediate North Yorkshire surroundings. Its mission centers on alleviating health-related suffering through one-off grants to charities and, via third-party professionals, to individuals facing illness, injury, disability, or mental health challenges. Rooted in a heritage of direct healthcare for the vulnerable, the Trust's pragmatic, needs-led ethos prioritizes advancing healing, filling gaps in statutory support, and enhancing well-being for disadvantaged adults, children, the elderly, and disabled people, with a track record of funding local charities like Shine21 for Down's Syndrome support and Survive for trauma survivors.

It funds health-led projects including prevention, treatment, disability equipment, mental health initiatives, nursing/healthcare training, and limited core costs tied to health outcomes. Grants support community organizations delivering measurable impacts, such as improving living conditions, resilience-building, and professional development, with a focus on grassroots and voluntary groups addressing unmet local needs.

Eligible applicants are primarily UK-registered charities and small/medium local organizations demonstrating clear York benefits; CICs are rare, and large nationals need substantial local delivery. Applications are unsolicited via online form, Word/email, or post, on a rolling basis reviewed quarterly (decisions up to 3 months). Typical grants are up to £15,000 one-off for organizations (tapering for multi-year), smaller for individuals.

Exclusions include non-health activities, recreation, debt, religious purposes, and general running costs. Distinctive for its hyper-local York focus, dual org/individual streams, flexibility via trusted intermediaries, and enduring commitment to evolving community health gaps.