Funding and income

General funds (listed A-Z)

Funds with upcoming deadlines in 2025

Big Give Anchor Fund Deadline: for campaigns on the platform that launch or close by Monday 30 June. To help charities run their own match funding campaigns, this is an opportunity for registered charities with an annual income over £25,000 to receive additional funding from Big Give. Big Give will contribute £1,000 of match funds for every £4,000 in ‘pledges’ that charities raise from their own major donors, up to a maximum of £10,000 per charity.

Brewers Foundation Deadline: none given. Apply for a part of their £50,000 annual pot for sponsorship and donations of paint to transform vital spaces. If you are part of a project that Brewers can help make the world a brighter place.

CityFibre Community Fund in East and West Sussex Deadline: unclear (money awarded by 30 April). Grants of up to £1,500 available to support digital inclusion in the local community or address local challenges with digital solutions. The fund aims to address key digital challenges, enhance social value, and foster stronger community connections. 

The Happiness Fund Deadline: Friday 28 March. Funding for  grassroots, neighbourhood-based community projects that improve mental health, wellbeing, inclusion, learning and skills development in local communities. You organisation must have received less than £50,000 in funding in the last 12 months.

The Homity Trust Deadline: Friday 28 March. Grants of up to £1,000 available to registered charities, constituted community groups and other not-for-profit organisations that have a formal constitution and are based and working in Sussex. The current focus is particularly those groups helping end users most affected by the increasing cost of living crisis.

Movement for Good (Benefact Group) Deadline: there are 6 £1,000 draws in 2025. These awards are the Benefact Group’s annual programme of giving, which includes £1,000 donation draws, £5,000 Special Draws (see website for themes and deadlines) and Partnership Funding (launching in May).

One Stop Community Partnership Programme (delivered by Groundwork) Deadline: Monday 31 March (may close early if demand is high). Grants of up to £1,000 available, plus the opportunity to create a long-term tailored programme of support with the local One Stop Store Team (for example volunteering support, fundraising and awareness-raising). Organisations should be: Tackling food poverty, Supporting the vulnerable, Supporting the elderly, Supporting low-income families, Running youth sports teams, Reducing / recycling waste or Improving the environment. And must be within 2 miles of the following stores:

• Buckingham Road, Shoreham, BN43 5UA
• Cokeham Road, Sompting, BN15 0AH
• Nevill Road, Hove, BN3 7QQ
• South Street, Lancing, BN158BD (check with store if have funding available)

Rampion Community Benefit Fund (through Sussex Community Foundation) Deadline: 5pm Friday 2 May (opens Monday 17 March). Grants of up to £10,000 are available for community projects in the Rampion area of benefit or a grant of up to £20,000 for capital projects to improve community buildings (energy conservation /renewable energy generation). For projects over £10,000 please contact the Grants Manager before applying. Priority will be given to projects that support long term initiatives that mitigate against an increase in energy costs and support sustainable buildings.

Veolia Environmental Trust – Community Grants for Buildings and Outside Spaces Deadline: Thursday 3 April at midday. Grants of £10,000 to £75,000 for projects costing no more than £350,000 (you will need to be able to pay a 10% Contributing Third Party Payment to the landfill operator). For physical improvements community centres, public parks, play areas, sports grounds and community gardens.

Wesleyan Foundation Community Grants Deadline: Monday 21 April. Grants from £2,000 up to £10,000 for a one-year project available to organisations with an annual income under £500,000. The amount that you apply for must be no more than 20% of your organisation’s annual income. Projects should support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (i.e. work towards climate action, quality education, gender equality, health and wellbeing, and reducing inequalities.) Examples of activity: mental health support, support of the vulnerable and elderly, projects that challenge discrimination, tree planting, litter picking, domestic violence support and projects that help with the cost of living.

Funds you can apply to anytime

Alpkit Foundation Grants between £50 to £500 available for grass roots not for profit organisations, including community groups. For projects that encourage people to experience the benefits of getting outdoors; encourage responsible outdoor activity, have long lasting benefits, introduce new people to get outdoors and demonstrate value for money.

Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants Grants between £1,000 and £100,000 for projects lasting up to 3 years. For creative and cultural projects that directly create and deliver creative and cultural activity with a long-term positive impact. Includes music, dance, visual arts, festivals. See their website for current ‘time-limited priorities’.

Architectural Heritage Fund (Project Viability Grants) Grants up to £15,000 to support early-stage feasibility work on historic building projects. This is Stage 1, Expression of Interest. You will then be invited to Stage 2 (full application) to access Project Development Grants of up to £20,000. This stage has set deadlines and can cover some of the costs of developing and co-ordinating your project and taking it towards the start of work on site.

BBC Children in Need – Project Cost and Core Cost grants Expression of Interest form submitted, then you’ll be invited to apply. From £1,000 to £40,000 available per year for up to 3 years for projects that focus on addressing issues of disadvantage affecting children and young people. UPDATE: this will be closing to new applications from Tuesday 15 April until the end of September.

Building On Overlooked Sporting Talent (BOOST) Provides funding and support to inspiring programmes which help improve the lives of the disadvantaged and disabled through the power of sport. Focus is on five areas of disadvantage: physical and learning disabilities, financial hardship, mental health, social exclusion and medical research and relief. Application is by 2-page letter (including budget and amount requested). Small awards: up to £750. Larger awards: over £750.

Charles Hayward Foundation Small Grants Programme – Older People Grants of up to £7,000 available for registered charities only. They want to fund preventative and early intervention programmes delivered at a community level, allowing older people to stay in their own homes and remain independent. Also, programmes which can demonstrate their effectiveness in improving the quality of life of older people. Projects should have a consistent and sustained benefit rather than one-off event or short-lived activities. Decision within 4 months.

The Clothworkers’ Foundation Open Grants Programme for registered charities and CICs only, where 50% of your service users fall within their 10 programme areas (e.g. Communities Experiencing Racial Inequalities, LGBT+ Communities or Economic Disadvantage). Funding available for capital costs only – you don’t specify the amount (smaller projects are those with a balance of less than £15,000, larger projects are considered £100,000+ and they will generally fund 10% of the remaining balance). Decisions on grants over £15,000 take 6 months.

The Dodgson Foundation Projects particularly aimed at the over 55s who are living in deprivation anywhere in Sussex.

Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust  For Small grants under £10,000. For registered charities only; for start-up, core or specific project costs.

The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation awards grants with the aim of improving the natural world, securing a fairer future and strengthening the bonds in communities in the UK.

Focus Foundation For charities or community groups with an annual income under £2 million, who need funding for a whole project which helps socially or economically underprivileged children or young people, or projects supporting mental health.

Foyle Foundation For registered charities with less than £150,000 annual income, to apply under the Small Grants Scheme. Apply for between £2,000 and £10,000 if you are working at a grass roots local community level delivering services to the young, vulnerable, elderly, disadvantaged or the general community. Keen to attract more applications from charities focussing on Arts, Learning, Small charities and state schools/SEND. Projects must be completed by end 2025 (when the foundation will close their grants programmes). Closes 31 January 2025.

Garfield Weston Foundation Registered charities only, that make a positive difference. Sectors covered include: welfare, youth, community, environment, education, health, arts, heritage and faith. 2 levels of funding available, which can be used for capital, revenue or project costs: 1) Regular Grants up to £100,000 2) Major Grants of £100,000 and above (for organisations with an income over £1 million).

HDH Wills Charitable Trust For registered charities only, who are concerned with the preservation of wildlife and the environment, grants of between £500 and £2,000 are available. Organisations must be small enough in size or are applying for support for a modest project such that the charity will benefit substantially from a donation.

The Henry Smith Charity is an independent grant making trust funding organisations who help reduce social and economic disadvantage. Main programmes closed June 2024, due to re-launch in Spring 2025.

Marsh Charitable Trust Grants between £300 to £2,000 for small registered charities only for items such as volunteer expenses, training days, equipment maintenance and other core outgoings. Charities must work in one of the following areas: social welfare, healthcare, arts and heritage, environmental and animal welfare, education and training.

Morrisons Foundation For grants of up to £10,000 for registered charities only. For projects that improve people’s lives under at least one of their funding objectives: 1) Tackling poverty and social deprivation; 2) Enhancing community spaces, facilities and services; 3) Improving health and wellbeing.

The National Lottery Community Fund Awards for All Grants up to £20,000 for up to 2 years.  For groups that build strong relationships in communities, improve places and spaces, help people reach their potential or support people facing increased challenges due to the cost-of-living crisis.

The National Lottery Community Fund Reaching Communities

UPDATE: you are strongly advised not to make a bid to this funding pot until Spring 2025 when new criteria will be launched. Grants from £20,001 for up to 5 years. For projects that work to make positive changes in your community (i.e. people living in the same area, or people with similar interests or life experiences). Funding to deliver new or existing activity. Or to support your organisation to change and adapt to new and future challenges. Or projects that test new approaches to help with community issues.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund For grants between £10,000 and £250,000. For organisations looking to care for and sustain heritage where your new project (it can’t have already started) is about saving heritage, protecting the environment, inclusion, access and participation, and organisational sustainability. NB 20% of the payment will be made after your project has finished (in arrears). The Heritage Fund recently announced they have simplified their application process.

The Paley Trust Grants under £1,000 available for not-for-profit organisations that enhance the well-being of people aged over 60 in Brighton and Hove. Activities can include exercise groups, music groups, outings, social activities, equipment, and contributions to running costs.

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation works collaboratively with organisations and individuals who are working to build a just society. Their funds focus on the arts, education and learning, migration and young people. They only fund work that is charitable, and it takes about 4 to 6 months from application to decision.

Sport England Movement Fund  Between £300 and £15,000 available for projects that tackle inequalities and help get more people active (promote physical activity), for people that face barriers. For example, active travel, walking, cycling, dance, fitness and sports activities. Funding is awarded as either a contribution to a crowdfunding campaign or as a grant (Sport England will assess this). This fund replaces their Small Grants scheme and Active Together fund. February update: Sport England say they are currently prioritising organisations who have been effected by extreme weather and need emergency funds to help restore their sports facilities so activities can resume.

Stobart Sustainability Fund Applications for green, ecological or sustainability projects or initiatives that benefit the environment. Must be able to explain how it will positively impact the environment and support creating a sustainable world. Short form completed and someone from Stobart will get in touch. No restrictions on type of organisation that can apply (talks about community groups in publicity).

Tesco Stronger Starts (managed by Groundwork) Grants of up to £1,500 available to organisations that provide food and support to young people. Every three months, 3 causes are selected to be in the blue token customer vote in Tesco stores. This is a rolling programme and voting takes place continuously; it make take up to 12 months until you know the outcome. 2nd place wins £1,000, 3rd place wins £500.

Trusthouse Charitable Foundation Supports initiatives improving the lives of people living in either urban deprivation (areas with a population of more than 10,000 people with a postcode that is within the most deprived 15% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation). Or deprived rural districts (areas with  a population less than 10,000 people with a postcode that is within the most deprived 50% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation). Grants of between £2,000 and £10,000 available under ‘Community Support (Small Grants)’ or between £10,000 and £50,000 (can be multi-year) under Family Support (Major Grants).

First steps for fundraising

If you’re starting on your fundraising journey, your first steps will involve:

• developing a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your project
• being certain that your project is needed
• knowing how much your project will cost
• creating a clear plan as to how you’re going to raise those costs

There are lots of resources that you can use to help you with your planning. If you are a community group, we recommend the Resource Centre website as an excellent starting point.

Local funding searches

Brighton and Hove specific

• GrantFinder via Jubilee Library
• Funds Online via Community Base (email centremanager@communitybase.org for access)
• Brighton and Hove Food Partnership Quarterly funding update

Adur and Worthing specific

• Grants Online via Adur and Worthing Councils
• Adur and Worthing Councils Grants and Funding web page