Elizabeth Rathbone Charity

Could Elizabeth Rathbone Charity fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants
£1,000 – £3,000
Where they fund
Merseyside
Applications
Accepted
How to apply
Email application
Decisions
Bi annually

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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elizabethrathbonetrust.org

About Elizabeth Rathbone Charity

The Elizabeth Rathbone Charity is a family-stewarded grantmaker supporting disadvantaged people in Merseyside. Established to continue a legacy of local philanthropy, its mission is to alleviate poverty through education, advance the interests of women, help the less able, support certain medical fields, support the arts, and help disadvantaged people through community projects. The Trust favours grassroots, community-led initiatives that deliver practical, lasting benefits.

What Elizabeth Rathbone Charity funds

The Trust funds projects addressing poverty and hardship, education and skills, disability, physical health, arts and culture, and community development. It supports work that alleviates poverty through education, advances the interests of women, helps the less able, supports certain medical fields, supports the arts, and helps disadvantaged people through community projects. All funded work must take place in Merseyside, including the areas of Knowsley, Liverpool City, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral.

Who can apply

Applications are invited from registered charities and community groups. Applicants must be a registered charity or be affiliated to an umbrella organisation that can receive funds on their behalf. Preference is given to Merseyside-based organisations. Beneficiaries include women, disabled people, and the general public, with a strong emphasis on local need. The Trust does not fund individuals.

What Elizabeth Rathbone Charity doesn't fund

The Trust does not fund political organisations, pressure groups, any form of sponsorship, or individuals. It also does not accept annual applications from the same organisation.

How they like to fund

The Trust makes grants of a modest size to support projects. It welcomes unsolicited applications and values hands-on, locally responsive philanthropy, typically supporting smaller organisations with a proven track record of direct impact in Merseyside's communities.

How much does Elizabeth Rathbone Charity give?

Elizabeth Rathbone Charity runs one grant programme. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 16 sourced facts

Elizabeth L Rathbone Charitable Trust GrantsRolling applications
Up to £3,000
  • Two-stage process
  • 2 rounds a year

Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.

What Elizabeth Rathbone Charity funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

Supports projects benefiting disadvantaged people in Merseyside. Aims: alleviate poverty by education, advance interests of women, help the less able, support certain medical fields, support the arts, help disadvantaged through community projects.

Where they fund
Merseyside
They don't fund
Feasibility studiesIndividuals
The full exclusions list (4)
  • Political organisation
  • Pressure groups
  • Any form of sponsorship
  • Annual applications

Good to know

FaithNo restriction
Focus areas
Children & youthDisabilityWomen & girls

How to apply to Elizabeth Rathbone Charity

Elizabeth Rathbone Charity takes applications via email application.

  • Published programme route: two-stage process.
  • Decisions are typically bi annually.
  • Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

How it works

  1. 1
    Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
  2. 2
    See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
  3. 3
    Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if Elizabeth Rathbone Charity could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Elizabeth Rathbone Charity provide?

Elizabeth Rathbone Charity runs one grant programme — Elizabeth L Rathbone Charitable Trust Grants: Up to £3,000.

Where does Elizabeth Rathbone Charity fund charities?

Elizabeth Rathbone Charity funds charities operating in Merseyside.

Does Elizabeth Rathbone Charity accept unsolicited applications?

Elizabeth Rathbone Charity accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

What does Elizabeth Rathbone Charity not fund?

Their published exclusions include: Political organisation; Pressure groups; Any form of sponsorship; Annual applications. The full exclusions list is further up this page.

How do I apply for funding from Elizabeth Rathbone Charity?

Elizabeth Rathbone Charity takes applications via email application. Published programme route: two-stage process.

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Could Elizabeth Rathbone Charity be a fit?

Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.