Sussex Community Foundation
About This Funder
Sussex Community Foundation, established in 2006 by the late 10th Duke of Richmond and Gordon, is an independent UK Community Foundation dedicated to creating a fairer, more equal Sussex by channeling local philanthropy into small charities and voluntary groups often overlooked by larger funders. Its mission emphasizes community empowerment, fairness, and long-term resilience, drawing on data-led insights and robust governance to address deep inequalities. Distinctive as a hub connecting philanthropists, businesses, and grassroots leaders, it has awarded over £30 million since inception, prioritizing place-based impact in East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton & Hove.
Funding centers on four themes: tackling poverty and disadvantage (e.g., food banks, support for vulnerable women), improving health via holistic and preventative approaches (e.g., mental health, social isolation), enabling potential through education, skills, and employability (e.g., youth training), and climate resilience (e.g., eco-hubs, tool libraries). It supports diverse beneficiaries including deprived communities, ethnic minorities, health-inequity groups, and underrepresented leaders, funding projects, core costs, equipment, and unrestricted uses for small to medium organizations.
Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities or CICs (with majority unpaid directors) based in Sussex, annual income under £2 million (favoring grassroots under £100k), delivering local benefits. Typical grants range £1,000–£10,000 (most ~£5,000), one per organization yearly. Apply via online Expression of Interest (EOI) with supporting docs like accounts and policies; shortlisted advance to full stage, decisions in 1–3 months. Next deadline: 17 October 2025. Excludes non-Sussex work, non-charitable activities; unique for flexible, evidence-based matching of donor funds to needs, reducing applicant barriers.
Eligibility Checklist
Funding Details
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Describe your charity once and see how well you fit Sussex Community Foundation's priorities — scored on location, cause, size, and 3 other factors.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does Sussex Community Foundation provide?
Sussex Community Foundation typically provides grants ranging from £1,000 - £10,000.
Where does Sussex Community Foundation fund charities?
Sussex Community Foundation funds charities operating in Sussex, East Sussex, West Sussex.
How do I apply for funding from Sussex Community Foundation?
With Fundermatcher, you describe your charity once and see your compatibility score with Sussex Community Foundation. If you're a good fit, you can start drafting your application immediately using our AI co-pilot — paste each question and word limit, and the co-pilot writes a tailored first draft using your charity's real data and Sussex Community Foundation's priorities. You review and edit every answer before submitting.
Will funders know my application was drafted with AI?
No. The co-pilot uses your charity's real name, numbers, and impact data — not generic filler or templates. Every draft reads like it was written by someone who knows your charity inside-out, because it's built on your actual profile. You edit and refine every word before it goes anywhere, so the final application sounds like you — because it is.
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Apply to Sussex Community Foundation this afternoon
See your match score, then draft your application with an AI co-pilot. You edit every word — it just saves you hours of writing.