The Royal Liverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £201,941 (2024 expenditure)
• Annual Income: £160,734 (2024)
• Families Supported: Approximately 175 families UK-wide
• Grant Type: Monthly grants throughout full-time education
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (British residents)
• Founded: 1869 (nearly 150 years ago)

Contact Details

• Website: www.rlsoi-uk.org
• Email: enquiries@rlsoi-uk.org
• Phone: 0151 227 3417

Overview

The Royal Liverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution (RLSOI) was established in 1869 to support the children of Merseyside seafarers who had lost a parent. Originally operating as a physical orphanage in Liverpool until 1949, the Institution has since transitioned to providing direct financial assistance through monthly grants. The charity is now one of the largest independent grant-giving organizations supporting families who have lost a seafaring parent, currently assisting approximately 175 families across the UK. The Institution is funded primarily by income generated from its capital fund, with total expenditure of £201,941 in 2024. The charity maintains its historical mission of ensuring that the children of deceased merchant seafarers and fishermen receive the educational and living support they need throughout their formative years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Monthly Educational Support Grants

• Monthly grants provided to children of deceased seafarers and fishermen
• Support continues throughout full-time education, including pre-school, primary, secondary, college, and university
• Grants described as “substantial” (specific amounts not publicly disclosed)
• Covers general living expenses, education costs, and maintenance
• Application method: Contact-based (email, phone, or online form) - applications accepted on a rolling basis

Priority Areas

• Children and young people in full-time education (pre-school through university)
• Sons and daughters of deceased merchant seafarers
• Sons and daughters of deceased fishermen (UK Fishing Fleet)
• Support for general living expenses, education costs, and maintenance
• In exceptional cases, support for the surviving parent if they have had to give up the sea to care for the family following their partner's death

What They Don't Fund

• Non-British residents or children not resident in the UK
• Children not in full-time education
• Families where the deceased parent did not serve in the Merchant Navy or UK Fishing Fleet
• No automatic entitlement - all grants are discretionary and subject to available funds

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by 5 trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The organization has no employees receiving total benefits over £60,000, reflecting its lean operational structure focused on maximizing grant distribution to beneficiaries. The charity is recognized by HMRC for gift aid purposes and maintains up-to-date reporting with the Charity Commission.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through multiple contact methods:

1. Email: enquiries@rlsoi-uk.org
2. Phone: 0151 227 3417 (call to “get the ball rolling”)
3. Online form: Available via the RLSOI website

Each application is considered on its own merits, and any award is discretionary and subject to an ongoing evaluation process. Grants are discretionary and depend on having sufficient funds available.

Required Evidence: Families must demonstrate that the deceased parent served in either the Merchant Navy or the fishing fleet. Evidence of sea service typically includes photocopies of relevant pages from the seafarer's Discharge Book. If this documentation is not available, historical records may be held at The National Archives (Fifth Register of Seaman's Service 1941-1972, reference BT 382).

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicant must be British and resident in the UK
• Children must be in pre-school or full-time education
• A parent (father or mother) must have died while serving in the Merchant Navy or UK Fishing Fleet

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Applicants are encouraged to contact the charity directly to discuss their circumstances and understand the assessment process.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed. Given that each application is considered on its own merits and circumstances can change, interested families should contact the charity directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Given that the charity currently supports approximately 175 families with annual expenditure of approximately £202,000, the Institution maintains a significant commitment to its beneficiaries. Key success factors include:

• Clear evidence of seafaring service: The most critical requirement is demonstrating that the deceased parent served in the Merchant Navy or UK Fishing Fleet through official documentation
• Full-time education status: Children must be in pre-school or full-time education, with support continuing through college and university
• UK residency and British nationality: Both requirements must be met
• Demonstrated need: While specific income thresholds are not published, the charity's mission is to support those requiring assistance with living expenses and education costs
• Long-term commitment: The charity provides ongoing support until the child completes full-time education, demonstrating their preference for sustained relationships rather than one-off grants

The charity's website emphasizes that applicants can “simply call them to get the ball rolling,” suggesting an approachable and supportive application process.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This charity provides direct support to individuals/families, not organizational grants - applications should come from families of deceased seafarers, not from charities or organizations
• Documentation is essential - ensure you have proof of the deceased parent's service in the Merchant Navy or UK Fishing Fleet before applying
• Long-term relationship - RLSOI provides monthly grants throughout a child's entire education, representing a significant multi-year commitment
• Discretionary assessment - each application is considered individually on its merits, with no automatic entitlement
• Accessible process - the charity encourages direct contact via phone, email, or online form without requiring complex application forms
• Substantial support - with approximately 175 families receiving grants from an annual expenditure of £202,000, average support is approximately £1,150 per family annually (though individual circumstances vary)
• National reach - despite Liverpool origins, the charity now supports families across the entire UK

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• P H Holt Foundation
• THE GENERAL CHARITY FUND
• Bathgate Charitable Trust
• PILKINGTON CHARITIES FUND
• Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside
• THE JOHNSON FOUNDATION
• The Hemby Charitable Trust
• The Northern Counties Children's Benevolent Society
• The Lytham Schools Foundation
• Lord Leverhulme's Charitable Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: THE ROYAL LIVERPOOL SEAMEN'S ORPHAN INSTITUTION - 526379, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/526379
• RLSOI Official Website: Home - Royal Liverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution, https://rlsoi-uk.org/
• Educational Trust Foundation: Royal Liverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution, https://educational-grants.org/find-charity/royal-liverpool-seamens-orphan-institution/
• Seafarer Support: Royal Liverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution, https://seafarersupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360014473340-Royal-Liverpool-Seamen-s-Orphan-Institution
• Charity Commission financial data for year ending 2024