Miss E F Rathbone Charitable Trust

The Trust funds work that benefits women, girls, young people and families who are economically deprived or socially excluded, with a strong preference for unpopular and neglected causes. This includes after-school clubs, mentoring, skills training, counselling, advocacy, and peer support groups. It supports poverty alleviation, community development, and youth work, as well as family support services. Internationally, it also funds environmental projects. Geographically, the Trust supports registered charities working in Merseyside, across the UK, and in Sub-Saharan Africa, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Palestine. Grants are typically for one year, though requests for two or three years are considered.

Registered charities can apply, and the Trust's Merseyside programme is restricted to charities helping disadvantaged children and adults from Merseyside. The Trust prioritises organisations that benefit women, girls, young people and families who are economically deprived or socially excluded. It favours grassroots charities addressing overlooked needs, and welcomes unsolicited applications. The Trust does not fund individuals, and organisations whose primary purpose is the promotion of a religion, church or sect are excluded.

The Trust does not fund individuals, medical research, or gap-year projects. It also excludes any activity that relieves a statutory authority of its obligations, and organisations whose primary purpose is the promotion of a religion, church or sect.

The Trust makes grants to registered charities, with most grants for one year, although requests for two or three years are considered. It values flexible, trust-based funding and often provides multi-year support. Applications are accepted at any time and are considered at Trustees meetings, which occur three times a year.