Sources of funding

Funding News – our monthly round-up of opportunities
Don't miss our essential guide to the latest sources of funding.

Local funding opportunities

Action in rural Sussex

Administers grant schemes aimed at supporting residents of East Sussex with a primary focus on rural communities.

Sussex Community Foundation

Awards grants to smaller community and voluntary groups whose work benefits people in East Sussex, West Sussex or Brighton & Hove.

Rural Rother and Wealden – The Warr Partnership

Aims to revitalise rural communities by supporting local projects linked to the maintenance and creation of employment.

Sussex Downs and Low Weald area LEADER Programme

Funding for rural development that will generate new and additional income to support the rural economy or will provide facilities that benefit rural communities.

Hastings Voluntary Action – small voluntary and community grants

Download application forms and guidance notes for funding across East Sussex.

Rye Fund

Set up in conjunction with Sussex Community Foundation, the money is distributed in grants of between £100 and £500 to voluntary bodies and charitable organistaions for initiatives that benefit the community in and around Rye.

Sussex Downs and Low Weald Leader Programme

Leader is a European Union funding initiaitve working with the Sussex Downs and Low Weald Programme to fund projects that will benefit and promote the development of certain activities in the area. To be eligible for the programme your business or organisation must be situated in the catchment area.

Special pages on this site

European funding for businesses and organisations

There's a huge range of projects eligible for help – public, private and voluntary organisations, including businesses and schools, covering areas as diverse as sport, agriculture and employment.

Connexions 360 – work and money for young people

Find out what funding you could apply for right now.

‘Seedcorn' funding for voluntary and community organisations

Our Seedcorn Fund provides grants of up to £5,000 to small voluntary and community organisations in East Sussex. Seedcorn is administered by Hastings Voluntary Action.

Sports funding

Useful links to specialist organisations.

Business grants

Some business organisations give out grants to businesses for things like training and environmental improvements.

The Arts – funding and support groups

The County Arts Officer can advise you about sources of funding, offer guidance on making applications and in some cases review emailed draft applications.

Credit unions

Small self-help neighbourhood projects could join or set up a local credit union.

National websites

Just giving – raising money for charity

Specialist advice on how to set up and encourage online donations.

Big Lottery Fund

Supports good causes in the arts, heritage, health, education, environment, community and charity sectors. Awards are made independent of Government and according to guidelines established by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

Government funding.org

Most central government departments provide funding for voluntary organisations with a national remit or undertaking initiatives of national significance. This is a funding search website.

Association of Charitable Foundations

There are over 9,000 grant-making trusts and foundations in the UK. They give approximately £2 billion in grants each year. Trusts can fund innovative projects that may lie outside the scope of traditional government funding.

Heritage Lottery Fund

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund gives grants to sustain and transform our heritage – from museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions.

National Council for Voluntary Organisations – fundraising

Everything you need to know including an introductory guide to fundraising and finance.

National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA)

Includes a funding resource list and fortnightly newsletter.