The David and Ruth Behrend Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £97,183 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A
• 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 £97,000. 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. LCVS distributes £13 million annually across all its managed funds.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The fund does not operate specific grant programmes but makes discretionary grants to 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 programmes)
• Community organisations and advice services
• Refugee and migrant support services
• Disability services
• Faith-based charitable organisations
• Educational and supplementary schools
• Peace and international development (with local connections)

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions have been published by the fund.

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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.

How to Apply to The David And Ruth Behrend Fund

How to Apply

The fund does not publish information about its application process. Interested organisations should contact LCVS for guidance.

Getting on Their Radar

As the fund is managed by Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services, organisations 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 available

Reapplication Policy

Not disclosed

Application Success Factors

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

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

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Annual giving of approximately £97,000 distributed across multiple charities
• Strong Liverpool/Merseyside geographic focus with emphasis on grassroots organisations
• Typical grants range from £1,500-£7,500
• Building relationships with LCVS and existing grant recipients may be important for consideration
• The fund appears to favour 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 Ralph Levy Charitable Company Limited
• The Hillcote Trust
• The S And Y Charitable Trust
• The Wyn And Ken Lo Memorial Foundation
• The Sunny Skies Foundation
• The Ancaster Trust
• Edupoor Limited
• Equitable Charity Trust
• The Michael And Anna Wix 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