Liverpool Charity And Voluntary Services (lcvs)

Charity Number: 223485

Annual Expenditure: £4.0M
Geographic Focus: Liverpool City

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Distribution: £4 million+ distributed through various programs
  • Grant Range: £500 - £3,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Liverpool and Merseyside, some UK-wide and international
  • Application Methods: Mixed - varies by program (rolling, fixed deadlines, online portals)
  • Established: 1909

Contact Details

Address: 151 Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2AH

Phone: 0151 227 5177

Email:

  • General enquiries: info@lcvs.org.uk
  • Grants queries: grants@lcvs.org.uk

Website: www.lcvs.org.uk

Pre-Application Support: Free 1-hour bid review sessions available at their offices for Liverpool-based organisations

Overview

Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS) was established in 1909 and is one of the UK's longest-running voluntary sector support organisations. With over a century of experience, LCVS works to improve the wellbeing of individuals and communities in Liverpool through supporting charitable giving and voluntary action. The organisation manages and distributes over £4 million annually on behalf of various trusts and donors, predominantly within Liverpool but also UK-wide and internationally.

LCVS operates a dual function: providing infrastructure support, training, and capacity building for Liverpool's voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector, while also administering multiple grant-making programs. With annual income of £2.67 million and 24 employees, LCVS has supported thousands of organisations to develop successful funding applications worth millions of pounds in recent years. The organisation is governed by 11 trustees and maintains strong connections across Liverpool's charitable sector.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs Managed by LCVS

LCVS Community Impact Fund (CIF)

  • Amount: Up to £3,000
  • Purpose: Supporting projects that help voluntary sector organisations and registered charities build stronger communities across Liverpool and Merseyside
  • Focus Areas: Arts and Culture, mental health, family relationships, supporting Care Leavers, women experiencing poverty
  • Application Method: Online application portal
  • Assessment: Based on impact on beneficiaries' lives
  • Requirements: Detailed monitoring and evaluation required; must use LCVS logos on publicity materials

Rushworth Trust

  • Amount: Up to £500 (individuals), up to £1,000 (organisations)
  • Purpose: To further musical activities and education in the Liverpool area
  • Geographic Scope: Within 60 miles of Liverpool Town Hall
  • History: Established in 1954 by James Rushworth in memory of his father William Rushworth
  • Decision Schedule: Trustees meet quarterly (March, June, September, December)
  • Restrictions: Awards not usually repeated for second or further years
  • Application Method: Downloadable application forms (separate for individuals and organisations)

The David Lewis Association

  • Purpose: Supporting disadvantaged young people in Liverpool to achieve life-changing goals
  • Focus Areas: Sports, music, arts, volunteering, academic studies
  • Application Process: Must apply through a sponsoring organisation (schools, sports clubs, charitable organisations, youth centres)
  • Availability: Open throughout the year
  • Contact: Applications coordinated through LCVS; sponsor organisations contact on behalf of young people

Other Programs

  • Youth and Community Grant 2024-2029: Unrestricted funding for up to five years (£1.6 million per year total budget)
  • Various NHS, Liverpool City Council, and UK Government programs administered by LCVS

Priority Areas

LCVS-managed funds support:

  • Musical education and activities (Rushworth Trust)
  • Youth development and disadvantaged young people (David Lewis Association)
  • Arts and culture initiatives
  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Family relationships and support
  • Community building and empowerment
  • Support for specific vulnerable groups (care leavers, women experiencing poverty)
  • Innovation in the voluntary sector

What They Don't Fund

  • General appeals without specific project focus
  • Activities outside specified geographic areas (varies by program)
  • Repeat funding in consecutive years (Rushworth Trust)
  • Applications not meeting specific program criteria
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Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Jeff Scales - Chief Executive Officer

Richard Davies - Director of Capacity & Engagement

Helen Rotheram - Director of Finance and Resources

Board of Trustees

Sonia Bassey, MBE (Chair) - Director of Public Sector Transformation, PhD candidate at Open University, Chair of Mandela8 and Africa Oye, founder of L8 Matters Community Land Trust

Mike Thomas (Treasurer) - Director of Risk and Audit for States of Jersey Government, previously with Grant Thornton, extensive public sector audit experience

Dorcas Akeju, OBE - Retired midwife, worked on Female Genital Mutilation awareness, set up African Elders Association, founded Breathe Easy Foundation

Michael Salla - Director of Health and Sport at Everton in the Community, background in public health and sports science

James Sloan - CEO of Imagine If Trust, Psychology and Health Psychology degrees, worked with NGOs in Africa

Maxine Ennis - CEO of Rotunda Ltd, supports people with complex needs, experience in asylum support and housing policy

Gemma Shone - Organisation Development professional, MSc in Human Resource Management, Co-Chair of Women In Social Housing North Wales

Dr. Rosie Kaur - Qualified GP, worked with Liverpool CCG and Mersey Care Foundation Trust

Anne Reading - Head of Regulatory Compliance at Charity Commission, previous work with Age UK, MBA in Executive Leadership

Anna James - Development lead at Torus, 15 years experience in development and regeneration

Key Staff

Stephanie Gregory - Senior Grants & Development Officer

Rachel Lindsay - Executive Assistant (coordinates applications for some programs)

Shelley Huang - Finance Services Manager

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application processes vary by program:

LCVS Community Impact Fund

  • Online application through dedicated portal: lcvs.grantapps.net/cif
  • Requires detailed project information and impact assessment
  • Must demonstrate how beneficiaries will benefit
  • Equal Opportunities Form required

Rushworth Trust

  • Download application forms from LCVS website (separate forms for individuals and organisations)
  • Submit Equal Opportunities Form
  • Return by post to: Rachel Lindsay, Executive Assistant, LCVS, 151 Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2AH
  • Review guidance documents before applying

The David Lewis Association

  • Apply through a sponsoring organisation (not directly)
  • Sponsor must contact David Lewis Association on behalf of young person
  • Full details at www.davidlewisassociation.com
  • Contact: info@davidlewisassociation.com

Decision Timeline

Rushworth Trust: Trustees meet quarterly in March, June, September, and December. Apply ahead of these meeting dates for consideration.

Community Impact Fund: Timeline varies by round; notification typically within 2 weeks of panel meeting

General timeframe: LCVS aims to provide supportive, efficient processing. For programs with regular deadlines, decisions typically communicated within 2-4 weeks of trustee meetings.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, LCVS has “supported thousands of organisations to develop successful funding applications worth millions of pounds in recent years,” indicating a strong track record of helping applicants succeed.

Reapplication Policy

Rushworth Trust: Awards are not usually repeated for a second or further year

Other programs: Reapplication policies vary by program; contact LCVS for specific guidance

Application Success Factors

LCVS's Own Advice

LCVS offers a “friendly, supportive service that aims to enable organisations applying for funds to maximise their chances of success” and can “help you write your funding application and guide you to address any problems or barriers.”

Making Applications Stand Out

For Community Impact Fund:

  • Focus on demonstrating clear impact on beneficiaries' lives
  • Show how the project will “make a change”
  • Demonstrate how “those most in need will benefit”
  • Be prepared to provide detailed monitoring and evaluation
  • Align with priority areas (arts and culture, mental health, family relationships, etc.)

For Rushworth Trust:

  • Clearly articulate how the project furthers musical activities or education
  • Ensure project falls within 60 miles of Liverpool Town Hall
  • Remember grants are modest - tailor budget accordingly
  • Recognize that repeat funding is unlikely

For David Lewis Association:

  • Work through an appropriate sponsoring organisation
  • Focus on “life-changing goals” for disadvantaged young people
  • Demonstrate clear need and how grant will make a difference
  • Show young person's commitment and potential

Examples of Funded Projects

Builder Book UK - Received almost £3,000 from Community Impact Fund for printing 10,000 eco-friendly STEAM-based packs on sustainability called the Builder Book Planet Pack, distributed across Liverpool

Thrive - Benefitted from Community Impact Fund to pilot their Stronger Futures coaching programme

David Lewis Association projects - Have helped people on the road to sporting success, supported musicians, actors and dancers, given financial aid to young people volunteering overseas, and helped provide resources to those wanting to further their academic studies

Additional Support Services

Bid Review Sessions: Free 1-hour surgeries where Liverpool-based organisations can have applications reviewed and receive face-to-face feedback at 151 Dale Street

Bid-Writing Support: LCVS can help write funding applications and provide guidance on addressing barriers

Training: Available in fundraising, bid writing, budgeting and log frames

Funding Strategies: LCVS can help generate comprehensive fundraising plans designed to improve fundraising and increase income

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Use LCVS's free support services - Take advantage of their bid review sessions and funding advice before submitting applications. With over a century of experience, their guidance significantly increases success chances.
  • Match your project to the right program - LCVS manages multiple funds with different priorities. The Rushworth Trust is specifically for musical activities, David Lewis Association for disadvantaged youth, and Community Impact Fund for broader community projects.
  • Focus on impact and outcomes - Applications are assessed on demonstrable impact on beneficiaries' lives. Be specific about who benefits and how their lives will change.
  • Keep geographic scope in mind - Most programs focus on Liverpool and Merseyside, with Rushworth Trust specifically covering 60 miles from Liverpool Town Hall.
  • Don't expect repeat funding - Particularly for Rushworth Trust, awards are typically one-time only. Plan accordingly for project sustainability.
  • Engage early - For David Lewis Association, work through appropriate sponsoring organisations. For all programs, contact grants@lcvs.org.uk or call 0151 227 5177 with questions before applying.
  • Remember LCVS's dual role - They distribute £4 million annually and also provide infrastructure support. Even if a specific program isn't right for you, they can guide you to other funding sources and help strengthen your applications.

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