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
• Track Record: 600+ grants awarded since 2014

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.” Over 12 years of operation, the Trust has provided more than 600 small grants to registered community causes across Sussex, with total income of £24,135 and expenditure of £111,572 in their most recent 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 organizations helping people experiencing financial hardship in Sussex, with particular recent 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 Programs

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: Rolling applications with 3 funding rounds per year (typically Spring, Summer/Autumn, and Winter)

Priority Areas

The Homity Trust actively funds organizations supporting:

• Poverty Relief: Organizations helping people experiencing financial hardship and the cost of living crisis
• Community Services: Food banks, community kitchens, clothing redistribution, hygiene supplies
• Social Isolation: Programs combating loneliness, community events, social activities
• Health & Wellbeing: Support for vulnerable groups, mental health initiatives, veterans' programs
• Children & Young People: Educational programs, 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

Recent Funded Examples Include:

• Veterans Growth (horticulture and wellness for veterans)
• Brighton Food Partnership Community Kitchen (batch cookery using surplus food)
• The Old Boat Community Centre (food, clothes exchange, soft play, dementia cafe)
• Dentaid (mobile dental treatment for people experiencing homelessness)
• Pelican Parcels (clothing redistribution for families in financial hardship)
• Just Friends (social events for combating loneliness)
• Young Writers Collective (creative writing workshops at Longhill and Whitehawk schools)

What They Don't Fund

• Personal applications (must be an organization)
• Religious proselytizing
• Political parties
• Animal charities
• Capital equipment (generally excludes IT, white goods, machinery)
• Organizations 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)

With over 30 years in the music industry, Ella runs a record label and tour accounting business in Brighton. She founded the Homity Trust with the vision to “provide a more personal approach to giving to those who need it most.”

Justine Cobb - Founding Trustee (appointed 12 December 2013)

Justine brings experience from the fashion industry and senior finance sector operational roles, having helped develop a Brighton startup. She emphasizes that “Supporting people who find themselves impoverished or lonely is fundamental” to the Trust's mission.

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

With a background in retail training, NHS administrative duties, and as an Apprenticeship Assessor, Marcus values the “opportunity to instantly make significant differences in the lives of people.”

Key Staff

Richard Piggott - Manager

With 25 years in Brighton and varied commercial business skills from Civil Service to Sales & Marketing, Richard manages the Trust's operations and represents the Trust at funder events. He reflects that after “10 years on, I can honestly say it has been life changing and so rewarding.”

Kate Elms - Grants Administrator

Kate brings experience from magazine journalism and the museum and archive sector with a focus on community engagement. She notes that “The dedication and creativity of the people behind these initiatives is truly inspiring.”

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

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Background about your organization
• 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 organizations per funding round. Over 12 years, they have awarded 600+ grants, averaging approximately 50 grants per year.

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 organizations

Application Success Factors

Based on guidance from The Homity Trust and their funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear Evidence of Financial Need

The Trust's trustees emphasize that they support organizations “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, itemized 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 this round to organisations helping with the increasing cost of living crisis” - applications that address current economic hardship are prioritized.

8. Alignment with Exclusions

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

Common Characteristics of Funded Projects:

• Direct service delivery to vulnerable people (food, clothing, health services)
• Community gathering spaces and activities combating isolation
• Support for specific vulnerable groups (homeless, elderly, children, veterans)
• Projects using creative approaches to maximize impact (surplus food, clothing redistribution)
• Organizations filling gaps in statutory provision

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Think small but mighty: This funder specializes in grants under £1,000 where modest amounts create outsized 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, itemized 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 Sussex Community Foundation
• THE IAN ASKEW CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Geoffrey Watling Charity
• THE TRUEMARK TRUST
• The Gerald Micklem Charitable Trust
• The Shanly Foundation
• The Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation
• THE MAGDALEN AND LASHER CHARITY
• The Chalk Cliff Trust
• THE MANSFIELD BUILDING SOCIETY CHARITABLE 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/