High Sheriff's Charitable Fund

The Merseyside Police and High Sheriff's Charitable Trust was established in 1998 and its objective is to provide grants to voluntary bodies and community groups in Merseyside to support community safety, crime prevention and security initiatives.

Since the Trust was established, it has distributed over £250,000 of grants to numerous Merseyside initiatives.

In March 2009 the Trust decided to work in partnership with the Community Foundation for Merseyside in delivering its charitable activities, and it has now been renamed the Merseyside Police and High Sheriff's Charitable Fund. It aims to build its endowment to ensure that funds are available in perpetuity for community groups and voluntary organisations throughout Merseyside. The Fund's fundraising activities are essential in allowing it to meet current need in the community, and its major fundraising activity each year is the Chief Constable and High Sheriff's Annual Ball.

Who funds the Fund?

Money for the Fund is raised from those who are concerned with local community safety issues, such as official bodies, other trusts, private donors and the business sector.

The Fund is an endowment fund that ensures the sustainability of the support for local community groups and projects.

Who makes decisions on grants?

The Fund has Panel Members that make recommendations on the grants to be awarded. These recommendations are then ratified by the trustees of the Community Foundation.

The Panel Members are all local people who ensure that the money is used fairly and constructively to maximise the benefits for those involved through close liaison with the Police, donors and the community.

The Panel Members include the High Sheriff of Merseyside, as well as representation from Merseyside Police and the Police Authority.

Who can apply for funding?

Local community groups who identify needs in their area, working closely with the Police, can submit appropriate schemes to the Fund to enhance safety in their locality. 

The aim of these schemes will be to respond to local concerns across a wide range of security and safety issues.  Vulnerable groups will be particularly assisted and long-term crime prevention through education and support will be a priority.