The Homity Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £20,000 (approximately £5,000 per quarter)
• Grant Range: Up to £1,000
• Geographic Focus: Sussex (East and West Sussex)
• Decision Time: Approximately 4 weeks after trustee meetings
• Funding Rounds: 3 times per year
• Founded: 2013

Contact Details

Website: https://www.homity.co.uk/

Email: enquiries@homity.co.uk

Phone: 07771997729

Address: 11 Park Crescent Terrace, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 3HD

For general enquiries and pre-application support, contact Richard Piggott (Manager) via the website contact form or email.

Overview

The Homity Trust was founded in 2013 by Ella Macpherson and Justine Cobb with a mission to provide “a more personal approach to giving to those who need it most in and around Brighton.” The Trust has provided small grants to registered community causes across Sussex, with total income of £29,373 and expenditure of £104,714 in their latest reported financial year. The Trust operates with a clear philosophy: small grants can make BIG differences. They focus exclusively on supporting formally constituted and registered community organisations helping people experiencing financial hardship in Sussex, with particular emphasis on the cost of living crisis. The Trust distinguishes itself through its approachable, personal style and commitment to supporting smaller, local causes that larger funders might overlook.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

General Community Grants

• Amount: Up to £1,000 per grant
• Distribution: Approximately £5,000 per quarter (£20,000 annually)
• Application Method: Online application form via website
• Frequency: 3 funding rounds per year (typically Spring, Summer/Autumn, and Winter)

Priority Areas

The Homity Trust actively funds organisations supporting:

• Poverty Relief: Organisations helping people experiencing financial hardship and the cost of living crisis
• Community Services: Food banks, community kitchens, clothing redistribution, hygiene supplies
• Social Isolation: Programmes combating loneliness, community events, social activities
• Health & Wellbeing: Support for vulnerable groups, mental health initiatives, veterans' programmes
• Children & Young People: Educational programmes, creative workshops, youth services
• Elderly & Disabled People: Dementia cafes, specialist care services, accessibility support
• Community Development: Community hubs, recreational facilities, amateur sport
• Education & Training: Skills development, workshops for disadvantaged groups

What They Don't Fund

• Personal applications (must be an organisation)
• Religious proselytising
• Political parties
• Animal charities
• Capital equipment (generally excludes IT, white goods, machinery)
• Organisations not based and working in Sussex
• Causes that don't demonstrate direct benefit to people experiencing financial hardship

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Ella Macpherson - Founding Trustee (Chair, appointed 12 December 2013)

Justine Cobb - Founding Trustee (appointed 12 December 2013)

Marcus Pescod - Trustee & Grants Committee member (appointed 1 March 2019)

Key Staff

Richard Piggott - Manager

Kate Elms - Grants Administrator

The Trust operates with comprehensive governance policies including complaints procedures, financial controls, risk management, safeguarding, and trustee conflict of interest protocols.

How to Apply to The Homity Trust

How to Apply

• Background about your organisation
• Your specific cause and current needs
• Detailed costings and breakdown of funding needs
• Rough idea of the amount of funding sought (up to £1,000)
• Evidence of how the grant will benefit end users experiencing financial hardship

1. Timing: Apply well before the deadline. The Trust is “usually very oversubscribed” and reserves the right to close applications early if overwhelmed with requests.

1. Verification: The trustees will check/visit all successful applicants before actual payment of funds.

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: 3 times per year
• Notification: All applicants will be notified of the outcome, usually within approximately 4 weeks of the trustees' meeting
• Confirmation: Receipt and consideration of applications will be confirmed
• Grant Agreement: Successful applicants must sign grants paperwork confirming the grant's use and commit to reporting on how funds were used

Success Rates

While specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed, the Trust notes that they are “always oversubscribed,” indicating high competition for limited funds. With approximately £5,000 available per quarter and most grants under £1,000, they likely fund 5-10 organisations per funding round.

Reapplication Policy

All applicants are kindly asked to wait for one funding round before re-applying. This means:

• If unsuccessful, you can apply in the next funding cycle (approximately 4 months later)
• If successful, you should wait one round before requesting additional funding
• This policy ensures fair access for all eligible organisations

Application Success Factors

Based on guidance from The Homity Trust, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear Evidence of Financial Need

The Trust supports organisations “helping those suffering financial hardship, and where the small grants will make a significant difference.” Applications must show how beneficiaries are experiencing poverty or financial difficulty.

2. Detailed Costings and Specificity

As stated in their guidance: “The more information and costings you can provide the more chance that your application will make it for consideration by our lovely Trustees.” Vague requests are less likely to succeed than specific, itemised needs.

3. Demonstrate Disproportionate Impact

The Trust looks for applications where “this small grant will lead to BIG differences.” Show how £1,000 or less will create tangible, significant benefits - this is their unique value proposition.

4. Local Sussex Focus

Successful applicants are “based and working in Sussex” with a preference for “smaller local causes.” Demonstrating deep community roots and local impact strengthens applications.

5. Formal Constitutional Status

The Trust can only fund “formally constituted and registered community organisations” - ensure you meet this requirement and provide evidence of your charitable status.

6. Well-Argued Need

Applications should have a “well argued need for your cause” - don't just state what you need, explain why it's critical and what happens without the funding.

7. Cost of Living Crisis Relevance

The Trust is “particularly open to organisations helping with the increasing cost of living crisis” - applications that address current economic hardship are prioritised.

8. Alignment with Exclusions

Ensure you're not seeking capital equipment funding or falling into excluded categories (religious proselytising, political parties, animal charities).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Think small but mighty: This funder specialises in grants under £1,000 where modest amounts create outsised impact - frame your request accordingly
• Oversubscribed means competitive: Apply early, provide comprehensive details, and make your case compelling as they receive far more applications than they can fund
• Personal and approachable: The Trust prides itself on being “small and approachable” - don't hesitate to reach out with questions before applying
• Sussex-focused only: If you're not based and working in Sussex, this funder is not for you - geographic restriction is absolute
• Cost breakdowns matter: Detailed, itemised costings significantly improve your chances - vague requests are less successful
• Financial hardship is the thread: Every successful application demonstrates clear connection to supporting people experiencing poverty or financial difficulty
• Wait one round to reapply: Plan your funding strategy accordingly - unsuccessful applicants must wait approximately 4 months before resubmitting

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Truemark Trust
• The Gerald Micklem Charitable Trust
• The Lennox Hannay Charitable Trust
• The Sussex Community Foundation
• The Ian Askew Charitable Trust
• The Mansfield Building Society Charitable Trust
• The Philip And Connie Phillips Foundation
• The Grimmitt Trust
• Sir John And Lady Heathcoat Amory's Charitable Trust
• Huntingdon Freemen's Trust

References

1. The Homity Trust Official Website - Homepage. https://www.homity.co.uk/
2. The Homity Trust - Applying for a Grant. https://www.homity.co.uk/applying-for-a-grant
3. The Homity Trust - Who We Support. https://www.homity.co.uk/who-we-support/
4. The Homity Trust - Our Team. https://www.homity.co.uk/our-team/
5. UK Charity Commission - The Homity Trust (Charity No. 1155479). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5043426/full-print
6. Find that Charity - The Homity Trust (GB-CHC-1155479). https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1155479
7. Resource Centre - The Homity Trust Information. https://www.resourcecentre.org.uk/information/the-homity-trust/
8. ESCIS - The Homity Trust. https://www.escis.org.uk/charities-funding-and-volunteering/the-homity-trust/