Funding and income
Get clear on funding and income opportunities with practical tips and step-by-step guides on how to find the money you need for your community group, organisation or charity
General funds (listed A-Z)
Funds with upcoming deadlines
Baobab Foundation Community Fund Deadline: Monday 3 February at 11:59pm. Grants of between £5,000 and £30,000 per year for up to 5 years. For organisations who are Black African/Caribbean and Global Majority collectives or organisations dismantling systems of oppression for their communities. Organisations must meet their 4 by and for principles.
Big Give, Green Match Fund Deadline: 17 January. Applications for Big Give’s Green Match Fund, in partnership with the Environmental Funders Network (EFN), are open. Charities focused on tackling critical environmental issues can apply.
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.
CABWI Lifelong Learning and Development Fund Deadline: Monday 3 February, 6pm. This fund supports learning and development that enables young people and adults to gain additional skills and confidence to enter the labour market. Registered charities only. For organisations with income of up to £231,000, the maximum grant will be no more than 15% of income. For organisations with income of between £231,000 and £1m, the maximum grant will be £35,000. Both core and project funding is accepted.
Delamere Dairy Foundation Deadline: Friday 28 February. Charities and community groups can apply for between £1,000 and £5,000 whose work benefits local communities, and whose purpose aligns with their objectives, including: developing the capabilities of young people, the relief of financial hardship, the advancement of education and the relief of sickness.
The Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust Deadline: Tuesday 4 February for a ‘medium’ grant of between £10,001 and £20,000. Registered charities only who support people in Sussex, focusing on: care of the elderly, disability, general welfare, hospices, youth, wildlife & environmental conservation.
Green Hall Foundation Deadline: opens Monday 3 March and closes after 150 applications have been received (normally within 2 days). Grants of up to £10,000, for registered charities only, who improve lives among the sick, the elderly, the disabled or the disadvantaged. Funding for projects with tangible benefits, for example specific equipment or buildings that will make a lasting difference. Their preference is to contribute the majority of a project’s costs and projects that will benefit a number of beneficiaries rather than just a few.
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.
Lloyds Bank Foundation Deadline: Thursday 23 January, 5pm. Grants of £75,000 for small specialist charities with an annual income between £25,000 and £500,000 working with people facing complex issues. Successful applicants will also receive tailored support.
Movement for Good (Benefact Group) Deadline: Sunday 26 January (for nominations for the first £1,000 draw of this year). There are 6 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).
The MSE (Money Saving Expert) Charity Deadline: Friday 31 January. Up to £10,000 for registered charities or Community Interest Companies (and other registered not-for-profit organisations) with an annual income under £750,000. For projects focused on delivering activities which make a lasting impact on how people think, behave and manage their money.
Screwfix Foundation Deadline: Monday 10 February. Grants up to £5,000 to registered charities and not for profit organisations. Prioritising those that will create a longer-term difference and where their donation will make an impact and fund the total cost (or the majority) of a project.
Sussex Resilience Forum Community Resilience Fund Deadline: 5pm Friday 31 January. A total pot of £20,000 available for community resilience activity. Must address top risks in the Community Risk Register, such as poor air quality, public disorder, surface water flooding and coastal flooding. Previously funded projects include cold weather provisions for vulnerable residents, flooding response mapping and volunteer action plan and a portable power station. Contact sussexresilienceforum@sussex.police.uk for more information.
Tweed Family Trust Deadline: opens Monday 3 February, closes Friday 14 February. Grants up to £10,000 per year for up to three years available to charities and not-for-profit organisations working to inspire socially disadvantaged young people under 25 to achieve their full potential, through mentoring, education and community activities. NB this is a small trust who are likely to only award 3 grants in 2025.
Waste Prevention Community Grant Fund (West Sussex County Council and Biffa) Deadline: 11.59pm Sunday 2 March. Grants of up to £5,000 available to community organisations to deliver new or expanded, innovative waste prevention and reuse initiatives resulting in a reduction of household waste. Projects should also make a difference to the wider community and to people’s lives in West Sussex. Projects should address at least one of five key priority household waste materials; food, furniture, plastics, textiles and/or Waste Electrical, Electronic Equipment (WEEE). It will not pay for existing activities.
West Sussex County Council Sexual Health Funding Deadline: 10am Thursday 16 January. Grants of up to £25,000 for projects that run for between 6 and 12 months (delivery to start in March). For activities such as training for staff and volunteers, peer support and advice to individuals that: increases knowledge of and motivation to access condoms and other contraception, STI and HIV testing, and supports people to develop their own risk reduction strategies. Email Moira.Jones@westsussex.gov.uk and Patrick.stoakes@westsussex.gov.uk for guidance notes and application form.
Funds you can apply to anytime
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.
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.
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).
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).
Why do I need fundraising?
Fundraising is an ongoing concern for most and can present multiple challenges. 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.
Where to find grant funding
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
Help with budgets
For a clear and simple introduction to calculating the full costs of a project read the National Lottery guidance on Full Cost Recovery
For step-by-step guidance on working out your project costs read the NCVO guide to Project Budgeting
Frequently asked questions
Can you help me write my funding bid?
Our read a funding bid service gives constructive critique on funding bids that are 90% bid ready. Your bid will benefit from a fresh and neutral pair of eyes. It will be read by one of our staff members who understand funder expectations and the key elements of a strong funding bid. We’ll give you written feedback on your bid which will highlight its strengths, any glaring mistakes or omissions, and provide top level suggestions for change that would improve the chances of success.
Our read a funding bid service requires bids to be given to us with a minimum of 15 working days before the bid’s submission deadline, to allow us enough time to read and comment on your bid.
What other support can I get?
Our ‘Fundraising Series’ will help you get your head around the many aspects of fundraising from writing a case for support to forming relationships with donors. See our events page for details.
We can help you develop large bids through our charged-for consultancy service. We can also put you in contact with other organisations you may want to partner with. Email us at info@communityworks.org.uk
Can I connect with other fundraisers?
There is a local group of fundraisers who meet regularly and share resources and support, and two national networks we would recommend (they are all currently Facebook Groups):
- Sussex Fundraisers Group – private group with 300 members
- Trust Fundraising Hub – private group with over 4000 members. For CEO’s of small charities or fundraisers or volunteers looking for support with grant fundraising
- The Lone Raisers – private group with 875 members. For people who are the only fundraiser, or are the only person to have fundraising within their responsibilities, in their organisation
- Fundraising Chat – private group with over 15,000 members. Specifically for fundraisers to talk to each other about fundraising issues, share views and best practice