John Moores Foundation

The John Moores Foundation, established in Liverpool in 1964 by philanthropist Sir John Moores, is a family-founded independent grant-maker dedicated to addressing disadvantage and empowering grassroots community action in Merseyside and Northern Ireland. Governed by experienced trustees, it strengthens local society by funding small charities, voluntary groups, and community organizations—especially those serving hard-to-reach or marginalized communities—with a focus on enabling them to meet real local needs through flexible, catalytic support rather than top-down directives.

It prioritizes social welfare, inclusion of marginalized groups, youth and mental health, community integration, support for older people, families, and children, and community-led responses to local priorities. Funding covers project costs, core costs (including salaries and running expenses), and some capacity building, such as volunteer training or governance support, with grants tailored to be significant relative to the organization's size.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and community groups delivering direct benefits exclusively in Merseyside or Northern Ireland, with a strong preference for smaller entities (typically annual income under £500,000, often much lower) that lack access to other funders. Applications are unsolicited and rolling: start with a phone or email outline, followed by an Expression of Interest (EOI) form, then a full online application if shortlisted; allow up to six months for decisions via trustee meetings as needed. Typical grants range from £2,000 to £10,000, averaging £5,000–£7,000, with occasional multi-year awards up to £20,000.

Exclusions include capital building projects, statutory responsibilities, emergency relief, large-scale interventions, and grants to individuals. Distinctive for its deep local knowledge, dialogue-driven process, post-grant support, and commitment to modest funding that fosters ownership, resilience, and long-term community impact.