The David And Ruth Behrend Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £90,000 - £105,000
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not disclosed
• Grant Range: £1,500 - £7,500
• Geographic Focus: Liverpool/Merseyside

Contact Details

• Website: www.merseytrusts.org.uk
• Phone: 0151 227 5177
• Corporate Trustee: Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS)
• Address: 151 Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2AH

Overview

Established by Trust Deed on 17th September 1969 and registered as a charity in 1970, The David and Ruth Behrend Fund is a private family charitable trust with annual giving of approximately £90,000-£105,000. The fund is administered by Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS) as corporate trustee, which manages approximately 80 personal charitable trusts totaling £46 million in charitable funding. The Behrend Fund focuses on supporting Liverpool and Merseyside area charities, with particular emphasis on food security, community services, and social welfare. The fund operates on an invitation-only basis, making grants exclusively to charities known to the settlor.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The fund does not operate specific grant programs but makes discretionary grants to known charities, typically ranging from £1,500 to £7,500 per grant.

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant-making patterns (2022-23):

• Food security and poverty alleviation (foodbanks, feeding programs)
• Community organizations and advice services
• Refugee and migrant support services
• Disability services
• Faith-based charitable organizations
• Educational and supplementary schools
• Peace and international development (with local connections)

What They Don't Fund

The fund's grant policy explicitly states that unsolicited applications are not considered. The fund only supports charities known to the settlor, effectively excluding any organizations without existing relationships.

Ready to write a winning application for The David And Ruth Behrend Fund?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Join the Launch List

Governance and Leadership

Corporate Trustee: Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS)

Individual Trustees:

• David Michael Behrend
• A N Behrend
• M C Behrend

The fund is part of the wider Behrend family philanthropic legacy in Liverpool, with connections to other charitable trusts including The Richard Behrend Charitable Trust and The Anber Fund. The family has a long history of Liverpool philanthropy dating back to the 19th century.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The fund's grant policy explicitly states: “Grants are only made to charities known to the settlor and unsolicited applications are therefore not considered.”

Getting on Their Radar

As this is an invitation-only funder managed by Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services, organizations may benefit from:

• Building relationships with LCVS, which manages approximately 80 charitable trusts
• Establishing a strong presence in the Liverpool/Merseyside charitable sector
• Collaborating with existing grant recipients such as Liverpool Community Advice Ltd or local foodbanks
• Participating in LCVS networks and events where trust managers may identify potential beneficiaries

Decision Timeline

Not disclosed - decisions are made at the discretion of trustees

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only funding

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation-only funding

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of recent grant recipients (2022-23):

• Liverpool/Merseyside focus essential: All identified recipients were locally based
• Grassroots organizations favored: Grants went to community-level organizations rather than large national charities
• Social welfare emphasis: Organizations addressing immediate community needs (food, advice, support) received priority
• Established track record: Recipients were established organizations with clear charitable purposes
• Modest funding needs: Successful grants ranged from £1,500-£7,500, suggesting the fund prefers to support organizations with modest, specific needs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder - do not submit unsolicited applications
• Annual giving of approximately £90,000-£105,000 distributed across multiple charities
• Strong Liverpool/Merseyside geographic focus with emphasis on grassroots organizations
• Typical grants range from £1,500-£7,500
• Building relationships with LCVS and existing grant recipients may be the only route to consideration
• The fund appears to favor practical, community-based services over advocacy or research projects
• Part of a broader network of LCVS-managed trusts that collectively distribute £13 million annually

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Searle Charitable Trust
• John Jacob Astor Charitable Trust
• The Macfarlane Family Foundation
• The Atherton Family Charitable Trust
• The Wyn and Ken Lo Memorial Foundation
• The Payback Time Trust
• THE CONWAY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• THE J AND H ORLANDER TRUST
• The Costa Family Charitable Trust
• DENCOMMON LIMITED

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - The David and Ruth Behrend Fund (Charity 261567)
• Annual Report and Accounts for year ending 31 March 2023, The David and Ruth Behrend Fund
• Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services website (www.lcvs.org.uk)
• Giving is Great Charity Factsheet for The David and Ruth Behrend Fund (Charity 261567)
• OpenCharities profile for The David and Ruth Behrend Fund