GRANTS FOR MERSEYSIDE

WHAT WE MAKE GRANTS FOR

We make grants towards

start up and running costs
volunteer and programme costs
education and training costs
one-off project costs
equipment
salaries

No grants are made to individuals. Nor are grants made for capital building projects or for work that clearly falls under statutory responsibility. For a complete list of our exclusions please follow the link on the left: What we are unlikely to fund.

The size of grant varies, but we prefer to give a larger number of small grants.

Applications may be refused where we feel that the organisation concerned is already well funded or has excessive reserves.

WORK WHICH WE WILL CONSIDER FUNDING

Please read through all sections as your project may be included under more than one heading

GRASS-ROOTS COMMUNITY GROUPS
Projects in disadvantaged areas run by grass-roots community groups which benefit local people, including support and self-help groups, and local community action. We are also interested in funding and supporting fresh approaches and new ideas for tackling unmet needs in the community, and we encourage links with groups doing similar work in other regions.

BLACK AND MINORITY ETHNIC ORGANISATIONS
Projects run by and for people from black and minority ethnic communities, including travellers and migrant workers, especially those which work towards redressing the disadvantage faced by such groups. Projects may be broad-based or concentrate on a particular group, e.g. women, elders etc.

REFUGEES
Projects working towards emergency support to incoming refugees (including legal advice) and their integration into community life including basic education, literacy, training, health and general social welfare. Schemes that target excluded people within the refugee community and initiatives that enable them to meet their own needs are also supported.

WOMEN INCLUDING GIRLS
Projects which work towards redressing the disadvantages faced by women in society, including women's health and support groups, literacy and second chance learning.

CHILDCARE
Projects providing childcare to enable parents to return to work, education or training, particularly where children are under 3 years old, and where children have non-working parents. Grants are given to crèches, nurseries, after-school clubs and playgroups, for childcare development, volunteer training and play equipment.

SECOND CHANCE LEARNING
Projects run by non-statutory organisations which enable people who have little or no education to return to learning. Grants may be given to organisations towards the cost of courses (including tutors), childcare, advice and information services etc.

HOMELESS PEOPLE

Projects to provide services for homeless people or to furnish accommodation including: provision of emergency food, shelter and clothing; support, advice and advocacy; and training and second chance learning.

ADVICE & INFORMATION TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY
Projects providing welfare rights, or other advice and information services, to alleviate poverty. Priority will be given to funding local independent advice projects, and we will not normally fund those which are part of a national network, such as CABx. Groups are generally encouraged to hold or to gain the Community Legal Service 'kite mark'.

COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES
Projects enabling people in local communities to access training or advice on therapies which empower people suffering a range of illnesses including HIV/Aids, and stress-related conditions. We are interested in supporting projects which offer preventative therapies and related training. Grants are not given for equipment (e.g. oils, towels, etc.).

SUPPORT & TRAINING FOR VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS
Training for voluntary and community organisations to enhance the skills particularly of management committee members, but also of staff, to enable them to operate more effectively and improve the quality of the service they offer. Funding and support is also available for the recruitment and training of volunteers.

We will consider applications from Credit Unions for the training of management committee members or the development of a new business plan.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Projects for adults with disabilities run mainly by people with disabilities.

CARERS
Projects which benefit carers by the provision of support services, advice, information or non-medical respite care.

NO GRANTS ARE MADE TO INDIVIDUALS.

UNSOLICITED APPLICATIONS WHICH FALL OUTSIDE THE POLICY CRITERIA ARE NOT CONSIDERED