Sussex Community Foundation’s Main Grants Programme in the UK

Deadline: 10-Jan-2025

Applications are now open for the Sussex Community Foundation’s Main Grants Programme.

Priorities

• The four funding priorities help to bring clarity to the areas they support. Through them, they fund hundreds of charities and community groups across a range of causes, in communities all over Sussex. It’s all part of achieving the vision of a fairer, more equal Sussex.
  • Tackling Poverty
    • Reducing poverty and disadvantage in the communities.
    • They are helping people who
      • Are living in economic hardship
      • Are experiencing unemployment and/or homelessness
      • Face barriers because of their disability, ethnic background, immigration status or sexuality.
  • Improving Health
    • Helping people live longer, better lives.
    • They are helping people who
      • Have physical and mental health needs that aren’t being met
      • Would like to live healthier, more active lives
      • Have life-limiting conditions and disabilities
  • Reaching Potential
    • Providing life-changing skills, education and training.
    • They are helping people who
      • Are leaving education or care without opportunities
      • Are facing barriers to their personal or career development
      • Have struggled in education due to circumstances or lack of support
  • Acting on Climate
    • Taking local action for the climate.
    • The grants will help people who
      • Are affected by the climate emergency, loss of nature and biodiversity
      • Are taking action locally
      • Are engaging their local communities
      • Are building networks to grow their impact

Funding Information

• The main grants are awarded through the four funding priorities and range from £1,000 to £10,000. The current average grant size is just over £5,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• They particularly welcome applications from organisations led by and supporting people from, underrepresented communities.
• The grants are aimed at not-for-profit volunteer-led organisations whose annual income does not exceed £2 million. They give priority to smaller voluntary groups across Sussex, many with an annual income of less than £100,000.
• Your organisations should:
  • Be led by a voluntary governing body (e.g. board or management committee) who are legally responsible for the governance of your organisation.
  • Have at least three and a majority of unrelated members. By unrelated they mean by birth, marriage, being in a relationship or living at the same address.
  • Allow members to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses but not receive any financial benefit.
  • Use all income and assets for charitable purposes only, with any remaining assets transferred to a charitable organisation upon dissolution.
  • Not distribute profits, dividends, or surplus funds to members or shareholders.
• Social Enterprises, CICs, and Companies Limited by Guarantee are also eligible if they:
  • Provide a clear public benefit and protect against private benefit.
  • Have at least three and a majority of unrelated directors. By unrelated they mean by birth, marriage, being in a relationship or living at the same address. The majority of directors should be unpaid.
  • Have non-executive directors approve any salaries or benefits for paid directors, ensuring they are reasonable and proportionate.

Ineligibility Criteria

• They can’t fund
  • Organisations or activities which don’t benefit communities in Sussex
  • Organisations that discriminate unlawfully under the provisions set out by the Equalities Act 2010
  • Organisations where the service provided is used as a vehicle or means to promote religious beliefs
  • Applications from organisations that are part of central, local or regional government
  • Political activities
  • Small contributions to major capital appeals or campaigns
  • Grants which will be used to make awards to a third party
  • Projects which only benefit animals

For more information, visit Sussex Community Foundation.