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This is a picture of Nichelle Kelleher Black Butterfly, a St Leonards based charity, who received a grant from the Sussex Crisis Fund to upcycle bikes for community use

Sussex Crisis Fund

We are sorry that applications to the Sussex Crisis Fund are now closed.

The Sussex Crisis Fund was set up in March 2020 to support community and voluntary sector organisations leading efforts to support people most affected by the coronavirus outbreak. 

Since the start of the pandemic, the Sussex Crisis Fund provided 908 grants worth over £4.21 million in funding. We are so grateful to all our wonderful donors and supporters for helping us to build this fund over the past year and a half. We also give our thanks and appreciation for the dedication of the many voluntary sector groups and charities who have helped a staggering 2 million people in Sussex over the course of the pandemic. We will continue to share the wonderful and inspiring stories of this vital work.

The Sussex Crisis Fund supported community and voluntary sector organisations (with an annual income up to £1 million) leading the efforts to support people most affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The third phase of the Fund was particularly aimed at helping people experiencing greater health inequalities as a result of Covid-19 and those facing acute financial difficulties as a direct result of the pandemic.

Alongside helping to address extreme poverty and disadvantage, we particularly encouraged applications supporting people disproportionately impacted by Covid-19 such as women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and children and young people. Funding supported both online and in person activity, in line with government restrictions, being open to what worked best for your organisation and beneficiaries.

What we funded

Grants of up to £10,000 for delivery over a twelve-month period under the following themes:

  • Mental health and well-being support
  • Advice and support services
  • Digital inclusion
  • Reconnecting people and communities
  • Costs associated with providing food and other vital support

We particularly want to thank East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council for the substantial contributions made to the third phase of the fund. Thank you also to the National Emergencies Trust and many local donors for making the continuation of this fund possible.

Application process

Applications were submitted on our Sussex Crisis Fund application form. Applications were assessed on a rolling deadline basis, with decisions expected within three – four weeks of submission. You can read the fund’s full criteria here. 

Background

The Sussex Crisis Fund was set up in March 2020 to support local charities and community groups on the frontline of community action to help people suffering as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. It was launched three days before the first lockdown began and made its first grant within ten days.

Between 20 March 2020 and 16 September 2021:

  • £4.21 million raised and given in grants
  • 908 grants made to voluntary sector groups and charities
  • Over 1 million people have been helped
  • Funded infrastructure bodies to offer additional support to voluntary sector groups and charities
  • Diverse range of organisations supported, from foodbanks and advice centres to charities supporting younger people and those with physical disabilities
  • 10.6% of all crisis funding directly supported Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and individuals

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