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
Latest funding
General funds
Funding News December for local and regional funds. Funding News is produced by East Sussex County Council and is aimed at charities and community sector organisations across Sussex and the South East. You can subscribe to Funding News for automatic monthly updates.
Awards for All Deadline on-going. Awards up to £20,000, and you can get funding 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.
BME Engagement Fund Brighton & Hove City Council funding of up to £2,000 for groups that are BME led and/or have a predominantly BME membership. Deadline Friday 8 December.
The Dodgson Foundation Deadline on-going. Projects particularly aimed at the over 55s who are living in deprivation anywhere in Sussex.
Fonthill Foundation Small Community Grants Programme up to £3,000. Deadline on-going. For registered charities and ‘recognised’ voluntary/community groups (e.g. those that receive council funding) who run projects that promote education and increase the diversity of educational opportunities available.
Focus Foundation Deadline on-going. 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.
The Fore Registration opens 12.00pm on Wednesday 6 December and closes 12.00pm Wednesday 13 December. Deadline for applications is 5.00pm Monday 15 January. Grants of up to £30,000 for up to 3 years unrestricted funding that can be used for any purpose (core costs and capital included) which enables you to be better at what you do (‘transformational impact’).
Sussex Community Foundation Deadline 5.00pm on Tuesday 5 January. Awards up to £10,000 for grassroots community groups and small-to-medium sized voluntary organisations who meet one or more of the following funding priorities: Tackling Poverty, Improving Health, Reaching Potential and Acting on Climate.
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 Brighton & Hove City Council
- 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