Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside

They fund a broad range of causes including children and youth, disability, poverty and hardship, education and skills, health, community development, LGBTQ+ support, and homelessness. Supported activities include project delivery, core costs, salaries, equipment, and training. Some programmes also fund feasibility studies and business costs for social enterprises. Geographically, they focus on Lancashire and Merseyside, with specific programmes targeting Sefton, Anfield, Everton, Halton, Runcorn, and the wider Merseyside region. They also have a dedicated fund for young people not in education, employment or training in Merseyside, supporting business-related costs.

They primarily fund registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, community interest companies limited by guarantee, community groups, and similar constituted organisations. Some programmes also support individuals and social enterprises, particularly for enterprise development. Beneficiaries include children, young people, disabled people, the general public, LGBTQ+ communities, and people experiencing homelessness. Organisations must have at least three unrelated trustees and demonstrate local governance and control of local finances. They prioritise grassroots groups working in their local area.

They do not fund statutory organisations or work that is their responsibility, national organisations without local governance, private businesses, commercial ventures, political or exclusively religious activities, projects for personal profit, vehicle purchase, activities that have already taken place, trophies and medals, CCTV or security measures, organisations set up for the benefit of animals or plants, groups comprising just one family, debts and liabilities, reclaimable VAT, or travel outside the UK. Capital works, research, events, and transport are generally not supported, though some programmes may have different rules.

They offer a mix of one-off and multi-year grants, supporting both core costs and project costs. Some programmes require match funding. They welcome unsolicited applications and have a rolling application process for many funds. Their funding style is flexible, with each programme tailored to specific geographic areas and priorities.