Community Foundation for merseyside

The Community Foundation for Lancashire & Merseyside is an independent charity that promotes local giving to address local disadvantage. Since 1999, it has distributed in excess of £40 million to charities and community groups in Merseyside.

In 2018 it launched the new Merseyside Women’s Fund after its national membership body, UK Community Foundations (UKCF), secured a record £3.4 million award from the DCMS Tampon Scheme.

The Community Foundation for Merseyside received £70,000 from the allocation to enable the launch of the new fund, which ultimately aims to raise £1 million to help support local women.

Merseyside Women’s Fund

The Merseyside Women of the Year Awards celebrate the achievements of the incredible women in our community making a difference and changing lives. This is a purpose which truly resonates with the Community Foundation. In 2018 the Merseyside Women’s Fund was established by the Community Foundation for Merseyside after our national membership body, UK Community Foundations (UKCF), secured a record £3.4m award from the DCMS Tampon Scheme. We received £70,000 from the allocation to enable us to launch the new Fund, which allowed us to respond to those issues effecting girls and women in Merseyside. The Merseyside Women’s Fund aims to raise £1m to ensure we continue to support local women.

The Women’s Fund has so far invested over £192,000 of funding received from the Tampon Tax Fund, the FredMill Trust, Momentum Foundation, and Hill Dickinson Foundation, as well as Merseyside Women of the Year Awards. This has gone directly to charities and community groups dedicated to making a difference to the lives of women across the region. These incredible projects and services help to:

– Increase confidence, aspiration, self-belief and resilience

– Make a positive difference to the lives of women suffering from domestic violence and abuse

– Support mental health and wellbeing

– Reduce social isolation

The vision of the Merseyside Women’s Fund is to break down the barriers that affect girls and women in Merseyside. The Fund ensures grass roots community organisations can help women feel supported and able to achieve their potential. These groups are there for women in real need, including refugees and those who are suffering from domestic abuse. 

‘‘With support from the Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service and HEAT Kensington, I am now looking forward to mixing with people who like and love me for who I am, people who don’t want to control me or make me into something I’m not. I am now in a new dance troop and going to college in September.” – Lizzy (name changed to protect identity)

The Community Foundation for Merseyside is incredibly grateful to MWOTY for their continued support of the Merseyside Women’s Fund, through joint promotion, fundraising efforts and their contributions to decision-making.

Rae Brooke, CEO, commented, “We are thrilled to be sponsoring this year’s Merseyside Women of the Year Awards – celebrating the achievements of the incredible women in our community – making a difference and changing lives. We can’t wait to hear the many inspirational stories of women across the region!”  

Now, more than ever, we need your support.

Individuals, businesses of all sizes, and charitable trusts are able to donate to the Women’s Fund. Please give whatever you can so we can continue to support women throughout Merseyside.

Help us reach £1m to help support local women.

To find out more email:

Rae Brooke, CEO – mailto:Rae.Brooke@cflm.org.uk

Karen Morris, Development Director and Deputy CEO – Karen.Morris@cflm.org.uk

At a time when women’s rights are so prevalent in the media and the public eye, this is a great time to be celebrating the achievements of local women in Merseyside and putting a spotlight on the issues we need to address.