1. Sussex Community Foundation Inspiring local giving, meeting local need
Philanthropy in Sussex
Talk to East Sussex Strategic Partnership

2. The 10th Duke of Richmond and Gordon
“It is, in my view, a scandal that there are areas in Sussex which are in the bottom 20% of national measures of social deprivation. At the same time, when local people or companies think of giving to charity they tend to think of large national bodies, because little is known about the small community groups on their doorsteps.”

3. What are we here for?
Sussex Community Foundation is a charity which raises funds for and gives grants to charities and community groups across Sussex. Our job is to make the cake bigger – to increase private philanthropy to build a sustainable and flexible source of funding for local community action. We do this by being an expert local grant maker and a bespoke service for donors.

4. Grants in East Sussex Across Sussex - £13m in grants, £17m endowment
District
Number of Grants
Total Awarded
Eastbourne
164
£567,035
Hastings
280
£1,056,119
Lewes
326
£793,990
Rother
346
£832,004
Wealden
240
£665,162
East Sussex Total
1,356
£3,914,309
676 Groups
26 Individuals
Across Sussex - £13m in grants, £17m endowment
We give out around £2m in grants every year .

5. What kind of grants do we give?
Provide the funding that local communities need
Enable people and communities to identify and address their own needs
Average grant is £3,000
Range from £149 to £75,000
Flexible, responsive, proportionate
Invest in organisations and be there for the long term

6. Background

7. Here are some of them …

8. Mayfield & Five Ashes Community Services
MAYFACS offers community services and support for people living in the area to combat loneliness and isolation and to sustain quality of life. MAYFACS has piloted a befrienders scheme and the Five Ashes Coffee & Chat
The Deans Senior Tea Club runs free, weekly, volunteer-run social tea clubs that are open to all, in Peacehaven, Seaford, Telscombe and Saltdean. They provide friendship, activities and a jolly good time over a cup of tea and a slice of cake. They aim to combat loneliness and isolation in older age, and promote health and wellbeing through the cubs. They host special events such as tea dances, which get the whole community involved as volunteers or attendees. They also provide a programme of visits, trips and outings to places of interest chosen by the tea club members. Sussex Community Foundation awarded them a grant of £1000 in July 2017 to provide exercise and yoga sessions for members.

9. Working with Sussex people
Donors are Sussex families, individuals, companies and others.
Alta Fund
Amy Hart Fund
Anjoli Stewart Fund
Arthur & Rosemary Kay Fund
Gatwick Foundation
Glenn & Phyllida Earle Fund
Lawson Endowment for Sussex
Leyden House Fund
Lewes Fund
Little Cheyne Court Fund
Marit & Hans Rausing Fund
Meads Fund
Rampion Fund
Rye Fund
Westdene Fund

10. Example Funds
“Not only will the fund be a permanent memorial to us both but more importantly, the income generated by the fund will provide a contribution to the financial needs of some of the many worthy and deserving causes that exist throughout Sussex.”
Arthur Green
“We’re delighted to be able to launch the Rampion Fund being managed by Sussex Community Foundation. Our aim is to make a real difference to people living in the area surrounding the wind farm.”
Chris Tomlinson
Rampion Offshore Wind Farm

11. Sussex Uncovered I and II
Published November 2013
Updated November 2016
Published December 2017

12. Overall IMD Sussex deprivation map

13. The future of philanthropy
Philanthropy is predicted to grow exponentially
Making money AND doing good
Localism, volunteering and community action
Innovative responses to cuts in public sector funding
Rejection of contracting/transactional relationships
Keen to invest in organisations
Some donors want a ‘buzz’ from their giving
Digital philanthropy, social media, crowd responses

14. What does the community & voluntary sector want?
Investment in capacity building for the sector
Make it easier for smaller groups to access funding,
Champion a vibrant voluntary and community sector
Continue to provide flexible funding and broad criteria
Foster innovative responses to loss of public sector funding

15. Conclusion

16. For more information
Our website: Or call us on

17. Thank you for listening!