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
The National Lottery Heritage Fund https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/funding/national-lottery-heritage-grants-10k-250k Deadline: on-going – 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 National Lottery Heritage Fund https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/funding/national-lottery-heritage-grants-250k-10m Deadline: Thursday 30 May for grants between £250,000 and £10m. However, please note you must have submitted an Expression of Interest form before this date and received approval that you can submit an application. Applications go through 2 phases: a development phase of up to two years and a delivery phase of no more than five years. Projects must take into account saving heritage, protecting the environment, inclusion, access and participation, and organisational sustainability.
Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust https://ekct.org.uk/apply/Deadline Deadline: Sunday 12 May for medium grants (£10,001 to £20,000). For registered charities only, for start-up, core or specific project costs. Grants under £10,000 can be applied for throughout the year.
Postcode Society Trust https://www.postcodesocietytrust.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/ Open to applications from Monday 27 May 9am to Monday 3 June, 12 noon. Funding between £500-£2,500 or £500-£25,000 depending on your legal structure. Priority given to organisations with an annual income under £250,000, communities within the top 15% on the English Indicies of Deprivation and groups that are led by and provide services for people from the following minority/marginalised groups: Communities experiencing racial inequity / People with disabilities / LGBT+ Community.
Brighton Soup https://brightonsoup.org.uk/projects/ Deadline to apply to pitch: midnight Monday 27 May. For anyone with a project or idea that benefits people in your community. (Brighton only)
Sussex Community Foundation https://sussexcommunityfoundation.org/ Deadline: Friday 3 May, mainly for small to medium sized organisations and those led by and supporting people from underrepresented communities. This round including the Now! Charity Sustainable Communities Fund for organisations working to reduce waste and environmental impact through adopting measures that repurpose, recycle and repair products and materials. And the Worthing & Adur Fund for grants of up to £3,000.
SPAR Community Cashback https://www.spar.co.uk/community/community-cashback/?dm_i=6MG6,ZHRV,2M7IG4,4IF2D,1 Deadline: Wednesday 22 May, for up to £10,000. Shoppers can apply for a grant for an organisation or charity they feel deserves funding. Applicants need to complete a form sharing the contribution that the local organisation has made to their community and what the grant would be put towards.
Lloyds Bank Foundation Racial Equity Programme https://www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/funding/racial-equity-programme Deadline: Thursday 30 May, 5pm. Unrestricted grant of £25,000 for 3 years for organisations led by and working with people who are experiencing economic inequity because of the race or ethnicity, and who have an income between £25,000 and £500,000.
B&Q Foundation https://bqfoundation.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/ Deadline: round opens 9.30am Monday 29 April, closes 6pm Friday 17 May. For registered charities only who want to provide, maintain, repair or improve housing or community space (project to be completed within 6 months of award). Up to £10,000 for internal projects, £5,000 for garden projects.
East Sussex County Council Funding News April 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.
Brewers Foundation Deadline not stated. Sponsorship and donations of paint available to transform vital spaces. £50,000 pot available to split between projects over the UK. Registered charities only.
The Dodgson Foundation Deadline on-going. Projects particularly aimed at the over 55s who are living in deprivation anywhere in Sussex.
Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust Deadline 12 May for medium grants (£10,001 to £20,000), no deadline for smaller grants. For registered charities only, for start-up, core or specific project costs.
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.
Foyle Foundation Deadline: apply anytime. 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. Projects must be completed by end 2025 (when the foundation will close their grants programmes).
Making a Difference Locally (MADL) Find your local Nisa store and make contact to ask how they can help. Donations can be made to “local sports teams, hospices or one of the many charities operating in the UK”. If you are a food pantry, ask about a nomination for The Heart of the Community Awards giving you a £1,000 donation if selected by a panel of judges. Deadline not stated.
Thomas Wall Trust Deadline: Monday 29 April. For registered charities with an annual income of between £25,000 and £500,000. Apply for grants of up to £5,000 for specific projects, that improve communication skills for disadvantaged adults and supports NEET people into employment. Beneficiaries must gain at least one accredited vocational qualification during delivery.
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