David Riddell Memorial CIO

The David Riddell Memorial CIO, established in 2021 by Nicole Guest to honour her late husband David Riddell—an investment banker who died by suicide after a psychotic episode—focuses exclusively on reducing suicide deaths through education, destigmatisation, and targeted support. Driven by the belief that suicide is preventable amid ignorance and stigma, it promotes open conversations, early intervention, and evidence-based action, especially in high-pressure sectors like financial services and among young people. Core values of compassion, innovation, partnership, and measurable impact guide its work, including partnerships like the 'Stop the Loss' campaign and major grants to James' Place for suicide prevention centres.

It funds suicide awareness and prevention programmes for public benefit, prioritising innovative education, direct interventions, and destigmatisation efforts targeting at-risk groups such as financial services workers and youth. Project funding (with full cost recovery) is primary, alongside occasional core costs for aligned missions; past support includes awareness events and workplace initiatives across England.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities based in the UK (England-focused but nationwide), with strong preference for smaller organisations under £1m annual income and limited reserves (under 12 months' expenditure); larger entities rarely succeed. Applications are unsolicited and rolling: submit a concise two-page EOI memo via email or online form, with shortlisting in two months, trustee visits possible, and decisions typically within three months. Grants range from £5,000 to £25,000.

Distinctively, it avoids capital costs and non-suicide work, offering strategic flexibility to innovative small charities overlooked elsewhere, blending personal narrative with rigorous, change-oriented philanthropy.