Hemby Charitable Trust

The Hemby Charitable Trust, established in 1998 by a local family with deep roots in Merseyside and Wirral, is a small, trustee-led grantmaker administered by Rathbone Investment Management, dedicated to advancing social welfare and improving quality of life for disadvantaged residents in these regions. Its enduring mission emphasizes targeted, practical support for local charities through small grants that deliver tangible benefits, guided by values of transparency, accountability, community empowerment, and long-term local impact—prioritizing projects addressing poverty, social inclusion, and opportunities for marginalized groups.

The Trust funds initiatives in social need (over 70% of grants), youth and employment, support for older people, arts, and the environment, including skills development, homelessness relief, community arts, employability programs, older adult networks, and environmental education. Grants cover project costs, justified core costs, and occasional capital for clear community benefit, benefiting significant numbers of local residents via both established and grassroots organizations.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities physically based in Merseyside or Wirral, delivering projects there; it favors small to medium-sized groups with local engagement, with no strict income limits or religious restrictions. Applications, accepted unsolicited, use the website's form submitted by email or post with a covering letter, latest accounts, and supporting materials, to deadlines of 1 February, 1 June, or 1 October; quarterly trustee meetings in March, July, and November yield decisions within a month. Typical grants range £500–£3,000 (often £1,500–£2,500), rarely larger.

It excludes individuals, non-charities, national initiatives, and out-of-area projects, distinguishing itself through unwavering regional exclusivity, stable thematic focus on social need and youth, and pragmatic support for direct, measurable community services over two decades.