The Sussex Community Foundation

Charity Number: 1113226

Annual Expenditure: £4.0M
East Sussex, West Sussex, Brighton And Hove

Contact Info

Website: www.sussexcommunityfoundation.org (also www.sussexgiving.org.uk)

Phone: 01273 409440

Email: info@sussexgiving.org.uk

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £2.6 million+ (2023-24)
  • Total Given Since 2006: £30 million to over 3,020 organisations
  • Decision Time: 1-3 months
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000
  • Average Grant: £5,000
  • Geographic Focus: East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton & Hove
  • Endowment Fund: £20 million+

Contact Details

Website: www.sussexcommunityfoundation.org (also www.sussexgiving.org.uk)

Email: info@sussexgiving.org.uk | grants@sussexgiving.org.uk

Phone: 01273 409440

Address: 15 Western Road, Lewes BN7 1RL

For Application Support: Contact the Grants Team on 01273 409440 or grants@sussexgiving.org.uk. Local Infrastructure Organisations (Voluntary Actions) can also help with funding applications.

Overview

Sussex Community Foundation (registered charity 1113226) was established in 2006 to make Sussex a fairer and more equal place by enabling local people to support local causes. Since inception, they have raised £48 million, distributed £30 million in grants to over 3,020 organisations, and built an endowment fund of over £20 million to provide for future generations. In 2023-24, they awarded over £2.6 million in grants to local charities and voluntary groups. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Kevin Richmond, the foundation has become one of the ten largest and fastest-growing community foundations in the UK. Their Main Grants Programme comprises over 100 individual funds, which they match to applications based on compatibility with each fund's specific criteria and the four overarching funding priorities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grants Programme: £1,000 - £10,000 (average £5,000)

  • Duration: Up to 12 months
  • Funding type: Both core operational costs and project expenses (most grants are “unrestricted”)
  • Application method: Expression of Interest (EOI) via online portal, followed by full application if invited
  • Frequency: Several funding rounds per year (recent deadlines included October 2024, with next round in early 2026)
  • Limitation: Only one main grant per organisation per 12-month period

Additional Grants: Various specialized funds including:

  • Rampion Community Benefit Fund (has distributed over £2 million to 187 projects in six years)
  • Chagossian Fund
  • Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm Fund
  • East Brighton Trust Community Cohesion grants
  • Individual support funds for musical talent or physical disabilities

Priority Areas

Applications are matched to funds through four funding priorities:

  1. Tackling Poverty: Reducing poverty and disadvantage in communities
  2. Improving Health: Helping people live longer, better lives
  3. Reaching Potential: Providing life-changing skills, education and training
  4. Acting on Climate: Taking local action for the climate

What They Don't Fund

Excluded Activities:

  • Political activities
  • Small contributions to major capital appeals (capital requests only considered if all other funding secured and request under £10k or for discrete project element)
  • One-off events (unless part of a longer programme; apply at least six months before event)
  • Grants to redistribute to other groups
  • Projects solely benefiting animals
  • Costs for already completed activities

Ineligible Applicants:

  • Individuals
  • Companies and CICs limited by shares
  • Government bodies and statutory organizations
  • Organizations not benefiting Sussex communities
  • Organizations with annual income over £2 million
  • Organizations that unlawfully discriminate under the Equalities Act 2010
  • Organizations using services to promote religious beliefs
  • Organizations with overdue monitoring reports

Governance and Leadership

Senior Leadership Team

Kevin Richmond - Chief Executive

Kevin Richmond has led the foundation's growth into one of the UK's ten largest and fastest-growing community foundations. He emphasizes the foundation's long-term commitment: “A Community Foundation is not just another charity. We are aiming to establish long-term relationships with Sussex people who want to make a difference over time to the quality of life of people in the local community.” On the endowment fund reaching £20 million, he stated: “I am delighted to announce that this endowment fund has now reached £20 million, thanks to the generosity of so many Sussex people.”

Hannah Clay - Head of Grants & Impact

Louise Meehan - Head of Finance & Operations

Vicky Booth - Head of Philanthropy & Development

Pete Jones - Grants & Relationships Manager

Alex Stewart - Grants & Relationships Manager

Board of Trustees

Mark Spofforth OBE - Chair

Other Trustees: Andrew Baird, Brian Mills, Christine Gibbons, Corinne Day, David Hill, David Sampson, Deirdre Prower, Guy Davison, Martin Roberts, Mebrak Ghebreweldi, Nick Munday, Sally Case

The Board can have up to 16 trustees who govern the Foundation, drawn from all walks of life and sharing a desire to help bring together local philanthropists with the communities they wish to support.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Check Eligibility: Review criteria on website before starting
  2. Register/Log In: Create account on the online application portal
  3. Submit Expression of Interest (EOI): Complete short EOI form as first step
  4. Await Initial Decision: Foundation matches your EOI to suitable funds (within one month)
  5. Full Application (if invited): May request additional information
  6. Final Decision: Typically 1-3 months from submission

Application Portal: Applications submitted online through their grants management system where applicants can save progress, track applications, and submit monitoring reports.

Application Guidance: Download full guidance PDF and review application form questions before starting. Contact Grants Team for support.

Decision Timeline

  • EOI Response: Within one month
  • Overall Decision Time: 1-3 months from submission
  • Application Validity: Applications kept on file for up to 12 months
  • Notification Method: Direct contact from Grants Team with outcome and feedback

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation's approach of matching applications to over 100 individual funds increases the likelihood of finding suitable funding for eligible projects that align with their priorities.

Reapplication Policy

  • If Unsuccessful: Applicants are encouraged to reapply in the next round after receiving feedback and support from the Grants Team
  • If Successful: Can only receive one main grant per 12-month period. If awarded a grant in September 2024, can reapply in the September-October 2025 application window
  • Feedback Available: Grants Team provides feedback and support to strengthen future applications

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Foundation

The foundation emphasizes alignment with one or more of their four funding priorities (Tackling Poverty, Improving Health, Reaching Potential, Acting on Climate). Applications are assessed against criteria including:

  • Local Community Need: Evidence of need in Sussex communities
  • Project Plan and Budget: Clear, realistic plans with appropriate budgets
  • Measurable Outcomes: Evaluation tools and methods to demonstrate impact
  • Sustainability: Plan to sustain activity going forward beyond grant period

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

  • A Touch of Gentleness (£5,000): Volunteers provide hand massages and gentle listening to reduce isolation and improve mental health
  • Posh Club (£5,000): Running costs support
  • Creative Heart, Littlehampton: Capital grant from Rampion Community Benefit Fund for solar PV and battery storage system to support work tackling loneliness and mental health
  • Havens Community Hub: Partnership with Hillcrest Community Centre to launch Havens Connections Café

Strengthening Your Application

  • Seek Support: Contact the Grants Team (particularly helpful for first-time applicants)
  • Get Expert Help: Local Infrastructure Organisations (Voluntary Actions) can help strengthen applications
  • Demonstrate Public Benefit: Particularly important for social enterprises and CICs
  • Show Evidence of Need: Use data and local insight to demonstrate community need
  • Be Realistic: Ensure budgets and timelines are achievable within 12 months
  • Unrestricted Funding: Most grants support core costs, so don't hesitate to include operational expenses
  • Due Diligence: Foundation conducts thorough checks; ensure all organizational documents are current

Application Tips

  • Save progress regularly - portal allows returning to incomplete applications
  • Read all guidance documents before starting
  • Apply at least six months before any event (if event is part of longer programme)
  • Verify organizational details are up-to-date, especially when changes occur
  • Maximum grant is £10,000 for 12 months - budget accordingly
  • Remember the one-application-per-round, one-grant-per-year limitation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus on Small Organizations: Foundation particularly keen to support smaller voluntary groups, many with income under £100,000, though eligibility extends to organizations with income up to £2 million
  • Align with Priorities: Clearly demonstrate how your work addresses one or more of their four funding priorities - this is essential for matching to appropriate funds
  • Build Relationships: Foundation values long-term relationships with Sussex communities; the Grants Team is approachable and provides feedback and support
  • Unrestricted Funding Available: Don't shy away from requesting core costs - most grants are unrestricted and can cover operational expenses
  • Plan for Sustainability: Show how your work will continue beyond the grant period, demonstrating long-term impact
  • Use Local Evidence: Applications using local data and demonstrating understanding of Sussex community needs perform better
  • Reapply if Unsuccessful: The foundation actively encourages reapplication with support from their team - unsuccessful first applications can lead to successful second attempts
  • Match to Multiple Funds: Your application may be matched to several of their 100+ funds, increasing chances of success if you clearly articulate your work and its benefits

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

References