Community Partnership Finance

Community Partnership Finance provides funding for voluntary and community organisations in East Sussex.

Traditionally voluntary and community organisations have been able to attract funding for projects, but have found it difficult to find funding towards their operating costs. One of the programme’s priorities is to bridge that funding gap, by allowing these organisations to apply for a proportion of the funding they require to keep the organisation operating.

Who can apply?

This funding is open to organisations that work across the entire county or a significant proportion. However it is also open to those who operate in one borough or district, but wish to work collaboratively with an organisation in another geographical area delivering a similar activity or service.

During the last round of Community Partnership Finance (2007–2009), the programme provided funding for voluntary and community organisations in East Sussex, based on the following priorities:

• Priority 1 – organisations providing infrastructure support to front-line voluntary organisations and community groups,
• Priority 2 – organisations providing services across the whole or significant areas of the county, and
• Priority 3 – ‘seedcorn’ funding on a one-off basis for new initiatives.

Recent 'seedcorn' grants were made to projects such as engaging with disaffected youth, extending respite care for carers in rural areas, providing support for bereaved children and support for families affected by self harm.

The next opportunity to bid for a seedcorn grant will be Autumn 2008. Information will be available in September.

How do I apply?

Community Partnership Finance is now closed and will re-open in December 2008 for applications for 2009–2012.

Review of 2007–2009 programme

Between now and December 2008, the Community Partnership Finance programme will undergo a review to evaluate the impact of the programme and whether further alterations are needed.

The review will involve all voluntary and community organisations who applied to or received funding from the Community Partnership Finance programme (2007–2009).

We'll add more information here as the review progresses.

Contact us

If you have any questions or comments regarding the CPF programme, please contact

Paul Rideout, Voluntary and Community Services Co-ordinator
Tel: 01273 482911
Email: paul.rideout@eastsussex.gov.uk