Reflections on twenty years of Sussex Community Foundation

As I prepare to hand over to the next Chief Executive, I reflect on a journey that has been humbling and inspiring. What began as a bold vision in 2004 has grown into a powerful force for good.

Where it all began

When he founded the charity, the 10th Duke of Richmond said “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,”

“Sussex Community Foundation has been set up to bridge this gap and to make it easy for local people and companies to give to local communities. The Foundation can make a significant difference to local quality of life. This is about local communities working together for the welfare of all for many years to come.”

That founding vision has guided everything we’ve done since. From day one, we aimed to inspire local giving to meet local needs, to give grants to address issues of today, while building an endowment to support communities of the future. At the heart of everything was a commitment to building lasting, open and trusting relationships with our donors and with communities.

Growing philanthropy for Sussex

The early years were shaped by remarkable generosity. Our founder donors believed in the idea before there was an office or any staff. Their support enabled me to begin in January 2006 as the Foundation’s first Chief Executive - an honour I have never taken for granted.

Over two decades, with the help of donors, partners, trustees, staff and hundreds of community organisations, we have built a home for philanthropy in Sussex.

We grew our endowment from the very first £1,000 gifts from the Lords Lieutenant of East & West Sussex to £28m today. The Government’s Grassroots Grants and Community First Endowment match challenges proved that endowment giving is attractive to the right donors.

We earned a reputation as a trusted, responsive and effective grant maker - and we demonstrated that philanthropy, when done thoughtfully, has the power to change lives at scale.

There have been major milestones along the way, substantial legacy gifts, transfers from dormant charities, and the creation of long-lasting funds like Rampion, Lawson Trust and Brighton & Hove Legacy Fund. These were the result of our relentless focus on patient relationship building and being ready to help at the right time for each donor. 

Responding when Sussex needed us most

Nothing demonstrated the power of that approach more than the Sussex Crisis Fund. When lockdown hit in 2020, our team moved with speed. Within days, we were giving out grants. Within weeks, we became a central channel for Covid‑19 emergency support in Sussex. What followed - an extraordinary doubling of our grants output - showcased the value of deep trust, strong local knowledge and being able to mobilise both immediate and long‑term funding.

That year reminded us that community foundations exist not just to respond to crises, but to help communities build the resilience to weather them.

Adapting, learning and looking ahead

Like many charities, we’ve faced challenges in recent years: a shifting economic landscape, reduced public funding, and more cautious corporate and individual giving.

Last year, we reorganised our team, aiming to continue growing sustainably, to deepen donor relationships and to champion the vital role of local communities in addressing inequality.

The launch of our Women & Girls Fund this month is a perfect symbol of that future: strategic, collaborative, rooted in local need, and focused on long‑term impact.

What matters most: community – and people!

Over twenty years, one belief has only grown stronger for me: small local charities and community groups are the bedrock of social change.

They have always been the heart of our mission. They empower people. They bring neighbours together. They make Sussex fairer, stronger and more equal. And they rely on the generosity and commitment of donors, businesses and charitable trusts who recognise that local giving transforms local lives.

We measure our outputs in big numbers - £28 million endowment, £38 million given in grants, 3,500 charities supported – but people are the real story. Every grant given goes to people who organise together to improve people’s lives, every pound given comes from an individual who cares about Sussex, and standing between is our amazing, committed and skilled team of staff and trustees.

A personal note of thanks

It has been the privilege of my professional life to help build Sussex Community Foundation. I’ve had the honour of working with extraordinary people who understand that philanthropy is about far more than money - it is about values, relationships and vision.

I hand over to the next Chief Executive confident that the spirit that created Sussex Community Foundation twenty years ago is alive and well: a belief that Sussex thrives when we all play a part.

To our donors: continue to give boldly, flexibly and with curiosity.

To our charity partners: continue to challenge us, guide us and trust us - we exist for you.

To the next Chief Executive and to everyone supporting the Foundation: nurture relationships, stay rooted in community, and keep the bridge strong between generosity and need.

The next twenty years hold extraordinary potential. I cannot wait to see what you will achieve together.

When women and girls thrive, our whole community thrives

Yesterday, Sussex Community Foundation launched the Sussex Women & Girls Fund to coincide with International Women’s Day 2026. With “Give to Gain” as the theme for this year’s celebration, it felt like the stars were aligned.

Why is such a fund needed, you might be asking yourselves, and the answers are there for all to see.

Figures like these, coupled with additional research from organisations including Rosa, helped inform our thinking. We also stress-tested the idea with local female philanthropists and charities working to support women and girls across Sussex; the feedback was universally positive. Through grants to community groups across the county, the Sussex Women & Girls Fund will support practical, life changing work – from specialist services and safe spaces to projects that build skills, confidence and connection.

Across the globe, there are fewer female philanthropists than males, but we know that women now hold 60% of the wealth in the UK and this figure is set to grow. As far as Sussex is concerned, we want to harness that wealth and turn it into a force for good.

There may be fewer women giving, but those who do, give generously and very often to causes that support other women. Through this fund, we want to ignite the women of Sussex and encourage them to join together to make a real difference.

Women supporting women

To launch the fund, we invited a group of key female supporters to take part in an informal discussion, with the aim of helping us spread the word and raise awareness of what we are trying to achieve. This group of influential women was made up of charity CEOs, private donors, professional advisors, and local business owners, all with one thing in common: a desire to make Sussex a county where women and girls feel safe, confident and able to access opportunities.

Vicky Booth, our Head of Philanthropy & Development, facilitated a lively panel discussion alongside Lucy Butt from Bramber Bakehouse, Avril Robinson from My Sisters House and Becca Dean and Evie Harman from The Girls Network. Their discussion underlined the need for additional services across Sussex and Evie, as an ambassador with The Girls Network, shared her experience of the truly life-changing difference working with the charity had for her and other girls given the opportunity to be mentored by them.

"Everything I learned from The Girls Network and my mentor has stayed with me. It really helped me in all of my jobs, including now, where I work for a non-profit organisation working to close the gender gap in technology."

Evie Harman, Ambassador, The Girls Network

A collective way to make a difference

If the idea of the Sussex Women & Girls Fund has captured your imagination, there are several ways you can get involved, either financially or by introducing us to others who might be keen to learn more. This is a pooled fund, meaning anyone can give at their own level, either through one-off or regular donations. By combining our support, we can reach more people and create lasting impact across Sussex. 

Join the growing movement to improve the lives of local women and girls. Support the Fund now.

Navigating inheritance tax shifts: What the changes mean for charitable giving

The UK’s inheritance tax (IHT) landscape is set for significant change, and as professional advisors, we’re closely monitoring developments and guiding clients through what these reforms may mean in practice.

From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and death benefits will be brought within the value of a person’s estate for IHT purposes. Currently exempt, this will pull more estates into the IHT net – creating both challenges and opportunities for donors and charities alike.

Why more estates will be affected

The IHT nil rate band – the threshold above which estates are taxed – has been frozen at £325,000 since 2009 and will remain so until at least April 2031. With property prices and other asset values rising over the past two decades, more families are already liable to pay IHT. According to HMRC, annual receipts have grown from £3.3 billion in 2005/06 to a record £8.2 billion in 2024/25.

Adding undrawn pension savings to estates from 2027 will push even more estates over the threshold. Early estimates suggest that 10,500 additional estates will pay IHT for the first time, while a further 38,500 estates will see their tax liability increase. In our practice, we’re already seeing a rise in enquiries about IHT mitigation and succession planning as clients seek clarity and reassurance.

Understanding inheritance tax reliefs

Certain reliefs – such as Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) – can reduce the taxable value of qualifying assets by 50% or even 100%, but qualifying is not automatic. From April 2026, 100% relief will be capped at £2.5 million of combined agricultural and business assets, with any excess receiving 50% relief.

The only unlimited relief available to most individuals is charitable gifting. Donations to UK-registered charities, universities or churches are entirely exempt from IHT. Additionally, leaving 10% or more of your net estate to charity reduces the standard IHT rate from 40% to 36% – providing a clear financial and philanthropic benefit.

Advising on legacy and charitable planning

Charitable giving – whether during a lifetime, through a will or via charitable trusts – can form an effective part of a broader estate planning strategy. In some cases, a carefully calculated charitable legacy can reduce the overall IHT burden while preserving value for beneficiaries and supporting causes that reflect a client’s values.

We are increasingly discussing the interaction between pension reforms and existing wills; the use of lifetime gifting strategies; trust structures for long-term charitable and family benefit; and the 10% charitable legacy threshold and its impact on the effective IHT rate.

We always recommend individuals take appropriate legal and financial advice before making decisions, ensuring that tax considerations align with wider financial planning and family objectives.

Where charitable ambitions are central, we may also signpost clients to Sussex Community Foundation for local philanthropic support.

What this means for charities

For charities and professional advisors working with donors, these changes are likely to prompt more conversations around legacy giving and structured philanthropy.

Clear, responsible communication is key. While charitable gifts can offer tax advantages, they should always be presented within the broader context of personal financial planning and independent advice.

Charities that understand the evolving IHT framework are well-placed to support donors in making informed decisions.

How Mayo Wynne Baxter can help

At Mayo Wynne Baxter, we work closely with individuals and charities to navigate the complexities of inheritance tax planning and legacy giving. We’re actively monitoring legislative developments and advising clients on how proposed changes may affect their estates. Our approach is tailored, strategic and grounded in both legal and financial realities.

By reviewing plans early and taking coordinated advice, individuals can ensure their legacy reflects their wishes, supports the causes they care about and protects their family’s long-term interests.

How Sussex Community Foundation can help

For advisors supporting clients with charitable ambitions, Sussex Community Foundation is the go-to partner for local giving.

We partner with professional advisors to help clients make tax-efficient charitable gifts that are straightforward to manage and create lasting local impact. Through our philanthropy advice, we match our supporters’ aims with the many small, effective local charities – whether through Donor Advised Funds, lifetime gifts or legacies – ensuring their support is directed where it can make the biggest difference.

If you’d like to explore how local giving could support your client conversations, we’d be glad to talk with your team. Get in touch.

Legacy giving: leaving a lasting impact through your Will

Gina Berry, Head of Private Client Department at The Owen Kenny Partnership Ltd, discusses the lasting impact of legacy giving.

At The Owen Kenny Partnership, we work closely with clients to ensure their wishes are clearly and securely reflected in their Wills and wider estate planning. One topic we always encourage clients to consider is legacy giving. Leaving a charitable gift in a person’s Will offers a deeply personal and rewarding way to create a meaningful legacy, one that extends beyond their family and supports causes they care about.

When we raise the idea of charitable giving, many clients instinctively think of the large national charities, such as the RNLI and British Heart Foundation. While these organisations do remarkable work, some people feel their individual contribution may be lost in the scale of such operations. Others are put off by the idea of their gift being absorbed into a vast system, rather than making a clearly visible difference.

Encouraging clients to think local

This is why we encourage clients to think more locally. Smaller community-based charities, often right on their doorstep, can be profoundly affected by even modest legacy gifts. Supporting local causes not only strengthens the fabric of our communities but can also provide the donor's family with a tangible insight into the benefit their loved one’s legacy has made. It’s incredibly powerful for future generations to see the real-world impact of that generosity, whether it’s a community garden thriving, local young people being mentored, or a village hall being kept open.

There are also clear practical benefits to including charitable legacies in a Will. Gifts to UK registered charities are exempt from Inheritance Tax. This means that not only can a charitable gift reduce the overall taxable value of an estate, but in some cases, it may even bring the estate below the taxable threshold or reduce the rate of Inheritance Tax from 40% to 36% if 10% or more of the estate is left to charity. It’s a way to support causes close to your heart while also making your estate planning more efficient.

A question I always ask is whether the client would prefer their money to go towards paying an Inheritance Tax bill or whether it could be used to support a charity close to their heart.

Sussex Community Foundation plays an invaluable role in helping clients connect with the full range of charitable work happening locally. Whether someone already has a particular cause in mind, such as mental health, homelessness, youth work, or the environment, or simply wants to ensure their gift is used where it's needed most, the Foundation offers expert guidance and long-term stewardship. They also help clients set up Donor Advised Funds to support existing local projects, ensuring that their generosity lives on for years to come.

As solicitors, we are in a privileged position to help guide and shape these conversations. By partnering with Sussex Community Foundation, we can offer clients both clarity and confidence, helping them ensure their legacy reflects their values and makes a lasting difference in the communities that matter most to them.

Gina Berry, Head of Private Client Department

The Owen Kenny Partnership Ltd

The gender dynamics of wealth transfer and philanthropy

Michael Lawrence, Managing Director at Global Wealthmap Ltd, discusses women’s increasingly important role in charitable giving.

We often hear about the inter-generational wealth transfer, where the baby boomer generation are going to be shifting trillions of pounds of wealth to the next generation. However, before this we will witness a significant transfer of wealth from men to women.

It is well established that women tend to outlive men, and whilst on average this may only be by a couple of years, in certain couples this could be a five- or ten-year period, partly due to the husband being on average a few years older as well. Add to this the increasing divorce rate in couples in their sixties.

This will have a number of ramifications for society, and especially so for professional services. At a recent event where I met with the FCA it was mentioned that upwards of 70% of women change their financial adviser when they become widows.

Helping manage their wealth

In our experience, women who inherit wealth will typically leave a traditional wealth manager for a planning led proposition, valuing in-depth conversations about goals, family priorities, passing wealth on to the next generation and charitable goals. If a firm has traditionally put too much emphasis on investment performance, graphs and asset allocation, and less on the qualitative side of the relationship, this can be a real issue.

We know that financial security and long-term financial stability are two big drivers for women inheriting money, and this may in turn lead to a desire to have a more cautious overall outlook. This is a generalisation of course, but we do see higher savings rates for women rather than men in our wider practice.

There is an increasing need for professional service and private client practices to take onboard demographic changes, because it is not just at the inheritance stage women become the main decision-makers. It is now increasingly common to see that the main income earner in the household is female. This follows on from a very long-term trend of academic outperformance of girls at school, young women at university and as a result women in the workplace. Some studies suggest that 60% of all wealth in the UK will be in the hands of women by 2030.

There are still big areas of inequality that need to be addressed, but increasingly we see couples coming to us where it is the woman who earns more and generates more wealth, and as a result takes a bigger interest in how money is managed for the longer-term.

This is in turn creates a number of opportunities in private client work. Of course, all types of advisers can be equally effective in advising all types of clients. But it is essential to focus on goals and objectives, and work through genuine lifestyle financial planning processes. This involves talking far more about the person and far less about the money.

Whilst the gender dynamics of wealth transfer introduces a number of new considerations, the old truths still remain. Clients value trusted advisers and you do that through being genuinely client centric, through transparency and great communication skills.

A positive effect of women making the financial decisions of a household, or where a widow suddenly becomes responsible for their finances, is a desire to talk about the importance of the wider family and the wider society. This introduces a great opportunity for private client advisers to address charitable and philanthropic goals as an active conversation rather than an afterthought.

A valuable opportunity for our society

We are in an exciting phase of change for our society, with increasing financial participation and autonomy for women we have a genuine chance of achieving a more equal society for everyone.

Michael Lawrence APFS
Chartered Financial Planner
Managing Director

Interested in finding out more on this topic? You can read a related article here.

100 Days in: what I’ve learned as Head of Philanthropy at Sussex Community Foundation 

When I saw the role of Head of Philanthropy at Sussex Community Foundation being advertised, I’ll admit - despite working for over 20 years with small charities and non-profits, I didn’t really know what a Community Foundation was. I certainly didn’t know the huge impact they have. But I do now. 

In just 100 days, I’ve been blown away by the powerful work happening at a very local level - work that is often unseen but completely vital. Community Foundations like ours are uniquely placed to connect those who want to give with the local charities who are working tirelessly to support our communities. And Sussex Community Foundation is doing that every single day. 

Over these past few months, I’ve had the privilege of meeting some of our existing fundholders as well as individuals who are intending to set up new funds with us in the future. These are people who care deeply about Sussex and the issues that exist on their doorsteps. They want to make a meaningful difference in their communities - and working with the Foundation allows them to do that in a structured and informed way. Our recent event held at the House of Lords was a fabulous opportunity to have many of these people in a room together and celebrate the impact of their charitable giving.   

I’ve also been out meeting some of the small local charities we support, including Pelican Parcels (pictured), to see the essential services they provide for some of the most vulnerable people across Sussex. Hearing their stories, understanding their challenges, and seeing their impact first hand has been one of the most meaningful parts of my experience so far. As a former CEO of a small charity myself, I really appreciate how difficult it can be to balance the frontline work with the fundraising necessary to keep going. I’m delighted to be playing a part in encouraging local charitable giving so that these organisations receive the support they desperately need.

I’ve also had the chance to connect with key local stakeholders, such as the MP for Lewes, James MacCleary, and Cllr Lesley Boniface to talk about how we’re supporting the voluntary sector in the area. These conversations reinforce the importance of our role in building bridges between donors, charities, and local government – which is more important than ever in the context of changing local government structures in Sussex.  

Another highlight of the past 100 days was an awayday hosted by the London Community Foundation, where I joined colleagues from five other Community Foundations to share best practice and fresh ideas. The UK Community Foundations network consists of 47 Foundations spanning the whole country, collectively making us the fourth largest funder in the UK. This local expertise combined with national impact is truly awesome, and I’m looking forward to more collaboration opportunities with my colleagues across the network.  

And at the heart of all of this? Relationships. Whether it’s with donors, grantees, colleagues, partners, or other Community Foundations, this role is all about making connections. I feel incredibly fortunate to be working with such a brilliant and committed team at Sussex Community Foundation. Every person here brings heart and dedication to what they do, and I’ve loved getting to know them. 

Looking ahead, the next few months bring exciting opportunities as we do some fresh thinking around our grant-making and introduce new systems to support our work right across the organisation. Despite all the current economic challenges, it feels like we’re at a moment of growth and momentum - and I’m thrilled to be part of it. 

Meet our fundholders: Jeremy Field OBE, C.P.J. Field

In this blog, we meet one of our fundholders who has supported us through the years. Jeremy Field OBE, Co-Chief Executive at C.P.J. Field, writes about his experience as a fundholder at the Foundation.

My family has owned and managed C.P.J. Field funeral directors for 10 generations since 1690. We have always believed in playing an active role in our local community, and both my parents were very active supporters of charities. My mother, Christine, was a district and county councillor and deputy leader of West Sussex County Council. My father, Colin, was High Sheriff of in March 2008 and was subsequently made a Deputy Lieutenant.

In these roles my parents were involved in the formation of Sussex Community Foundation, attracted by the Foundation’s mission to be a lasting resource for local charities.

They were also keen to involve us, their children (Charlie, Emily and myself), in the Fund as the next generation of Fields who now run the business.

By becoming a fundholder and setting up a family endowment fund back in 2008, my family wanted to demonstrate our company’s lasting commitment to Sussex, as well as supporting inspiring local charities. Match funding from the Government’s Grassroots Endowment Challenge was an added incentive.

Over the years, the Field Family Fund has given out 44 grants across Sussex of over £138,000, and the capital is still worth £210,000.

Aims and objectives of the fund

Through our fund we aim to provide support for:

Image from Sussex Support Service to show projects supported by our donors
Art workshop at Sussex Support Service

We’ve been so fortunate to support local groups and charities that we might not have been aware of had it not been for Sussex Community Foundation’s grant process. The structure offered by the Foundation means that our funds are working harder. In the long term they can be used to support more great causes than would have been possible if we’d simply given the money directly to local groups. 

As fundholders, our continuing aspiration is to add to the fund when we can, securing this as a channel for our family’s philanthropic efforts in the communities where we live and work for many years to come.

Jeremy Field OBE, Co-Chief Executive at C.P.J. Field

Visit their website here

Read the story from one of the groups we support through the Field Family Fund:

Befriended

Image courtesy of befriended

Find out more about charitable giving with Sussex Community Foundation or contact our Philanthropy team for an informal chat.

Education in Sussex and why we need the charity sector

In September 2024 we launched Reaching Potential, our latest report in the Sussex Uncovered series. These reports give a broad picture of the facts across Sussex around our different funding priorities.

The Reaching Potential report highlights the challenges faced by communities in Sussex, compared to the regional and national picture. It specifically focuses on some of the issues preventing people – especially young people – from achieving their full potential and features some of the charities and groups we support who work in this area.

In the Reaching Potential report we identified three critical areas:

Education attainment and participation

Pupils in Sussex perform below national averages at Key Stage 2, with 11 of 13 Local Authorities showing lower attainment in reading, writing, and maths. Eastbourne records the poorest performance, with fewer than half meeting expected standards. At GCSE stage Sussex also underperforms, against the South East and national averages, with Hastings showing the weakest outcomes. Crawley, Arun, Eastbourne and Rother similarly fall short across key metrics, including GCSE grades and attainment scores.

Further education and apprenticeships

Apprenticeship participation and achievement rates for under-19s in Sussex are below the South East and national averages. Additionally, young people aged 19-24 are less likely to engage in apprenticeships, community learning, or further education compared to their peers across England.

Pupil absences

There is a clear link between absence and attainment. Persistent absence increased significantly post-Covid but slightly improved from 2021/22 to 2022/23. Secondary schools face higher persistent absence rates, particularly among girls in Brighton & Hove, while boys are more likely to be persistently absent at primary school.

A graph showing peaks of school absences since 2018/2019

"Without this programme I would be a lot less aspirational. I think it has made such a big difference it’s hard to put into words. They helped me look at life in a more holistic, authentic way - not just academic. Sometimes things happen that are beyond your control. Being able to respond positively to those changes is what matters. The biggest thing is breaking that wall between what I thought I needed to be like to do these."

Student at Villiers Park

Read the full case study from Villiers Park.

Educational inequalities and disadvantaged groups

The report highlights disparities for pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and other disadvantaged groups.

Pupils with SEN

Sussex has a higher proportion of pupils with SEN than regional and national averages, particularly in Speech, Language, and Communication needs. Educational outcomes for SEN pupils in Sussex are below national standards, with boys performing worse than girls.

A table listing types of SEND needs

 "J is a young person with SEN who has struggled in recent times with mental health issues. To help address these challenges, J joined Amaze as a volunteer to help run the peer support sessions. J’s mental wellbeing began to improve and through this voluntary work discovered he had a talent for youth work and the advocacy of young people with SEN."

Member of staff, Amaze Sussex

Continue reading J's story from Amaze.

Disadvantaged communities

Children eligible for Free School Meals (FSM), non-English speakers, and young carers face significant educational barriers. Sussex has a higher proportion of Children in Need than England, with Brighton & Hove having the highest rates. Parental mental health issues are the leading reason for Children in Need assessments, often linked to higher persistent absences, exclusions, and suspensions. FSM-eligible pupils perform below South East and national averages at both Key Stages 2 and GCSE.

Language barriers

Sussex has a higher proportion of non-English speakers than the South East, although lower than the national average. Crawley has the highest rates of pupils with a first language other than English, exceeding the national average, and these pupils tend to perform worse at Key Stage 2 and GCSE stage than their peers in the South East or nationally.

Employment and jobs opportunities

Employment challenges in Sussex stem from poor transport links and a lack of large urban centres. East Sussex has lower job density (60.74 jobs per 100 working-age population versus 77.86 for England) and longer travel times to large employment centres (39 minutes compared to England’s 16 minutes). Hastings has the second-lowest job density in Sussex and the longest travel time to major employment hubs (55 minutes).

Small businesses dominate East Sussex, with fewer large employers compared to the South East and England. Horsham, Rother and Wealden have the highest proportion of small businesses, while Crawley has the highest proportion of large businesses.

Adult skills and employment

Unemployment rates are higher among those with no or low qualifications. Crawley and Hastings have the highest unemployment among individuals with no qualifications, and Brighton & Hove has the highest unemployment rates across all skill levels.

"Coming to People Matter made a huge contribution to my newfound confidence. I became excited about looking for work and about the future, because they were so helpful and made the most daunting, seem easier, with supportive and helpful discussions, and I was able to engage with someone on my own level."

A beneficiary at People Matter Trust

Read the full story from People Matter Trust.

See more of our case studies or watch our Reaching Potential video below:

How can you help?

Although the findings of the report might seem grim, we know it’s not all bad news. In Sussex we have an amazing charity sector working hard who need our help. Together, we can help pave the way for a fairer and more equal future for as many as possible.

Join us to make a difference and donate to our Reaching Potential Fund. Contact our Philanthropy team at 01273 490 440 or email jackie@sussexcommunityfoundation.org.

“The report starkly demonstrates the challenges that our communities in Sussex are facing. Everyone should be entitled to reach their potential at every stage of life. We have a long way to go towards that, but there are many brilliant local charities that are doing everything possible to help people be the best they can be.”

Kevin Richmond
-
CEO, Sussex Community Foundation

Reaching Potential: OCSI's work with the Foundation to understand the challenges in Sussex

Sussex Community Foundation commissioned OCSI’s (Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion) research team to assist with their 'Sussex Uncovered' series, which highlights the challenges Sussex faces, bringing data-driven insight.

Reaching Potential is the latest report in the series. It aims to support the grassroots charities and community groups that are helping communities to develop their skills and confidence, overcoming barriers to learning whilst improving opportunities for marginalised groups in deprived areas.

It builds on the previous report on Tackling Poverty which highlighted issues of poverty and social care challenges. 

Methodology

We analysed and evaluated data under seven key themes identified through discussions with the Foundation about their strategic priorities for Sussex:

Due to a lack of up-to-date, open-source data on education, the report primarily focuses on data from the Department for Education (DfE) School Census which captures detailed information relating to characteristics and attainment levels of pupils who attend maintained schools. One limitation with this source is that data is not available below Local Authority level due to privacy concerns, data suppression policies and the statistical unreliability of small sample sizes. 

As such, unlike the Tackling Poverty report where we were able to aggregate data from small neighbourhoods to major towns and rural areas in Sussex, this report primarily analyses data from larger areas (Local Authorities and above). Where possible, we have included data from the 2021 Census to provide a greater insight into issues faced by particular local areas.

Key findings

The majority of areas in Sussex are underperforming at Key Stage 2, with some areas experiencing low rates of attainment, resulting in lower rates of continued education

Most areas in Sussex underperform at Key Stage 2, with 11 of 13 Local Authorities below the national average of 59.9% for reading, writing, and maths. Eastbourne performs the worst, with only 49.2% meeting the standard. Hastings also shows the poorest outcomes at Key Stage 4, with the lowest scores in GCSEs, Attainment 8, and Progress 8. Subsequently, young adults in Sussex are less likely to enter higher education, with Hastings and Adur showing particularly low participation rates of 27% and 29%, compared to the national average of 40%.

Educational inequalities persist into adulthood, with high proportions of adults lacking qualifications in disadvantaged areas. However, some of the most educationally disadvantaged communities have seen greater improvements in adult skill levels over the last 10 years

Many communities in Sussex show high rates of adults without qualifications. Hastings (20.1%), Arun (19.7%), Adur (19.5%), Rother (18.9%), and Eastbourne (18.4%) exceed the national average of 18.1%. However, Adur reduced the proportion of adults without qualifications by 6.1 percentage points from 2011 to 2021, and Hastings saw a notable increase in adults with degree-level qualifications.

Pupils in educationally disadvantaged groups experience lower attainment (ie achievement of specific academic standards) compared to similar groups elsewhere in England

Pupils eligible for Free school meals, disadvantaged pupils, pupils with English as an additional language and pupils with Special Educational Needs are less likely to meet expected standards in reading, writing and maths at Key Stage 2 in Sussex than across the South East region and England as a whole.

Job opportunities are fewer, and access to employment is more difficult in communities with poorer educational outcomes

East Sussex has lower jobs density (60.7 jobs as a ratio of the working age population) compared to the national average of 77.9. Residents also face longer travel times to employment centres, averaging 39 minutes compared to 16 minutes nationally. Additionally, only 30.7% of jobs in East Sussex are high-skilled, compared to 36.6% across the South East.

To explore these challenges in more detail, you can read the Reaching Potential report here, or the executive summary here.

Aaron Henderson
Communications Officer, OCSI

Find out more about OCSI’s research services

One year in: trustee Deirdre's perspective on joining the Foundation

Deirdre Prower joined the Foundation as a trustee in 2023. This Trustees Week she tells us about her position, one year into the role.

I was delighted to be asked to join Sussex Community Foundation as a trustee last year. One year on, I am just beginning to understand how much work is involved in what the Foundation strives to achieve. I am in awe of the commitment of the staff who work here. They engage with donors, local partners, and individuals to make their philanthropy a reality. They encourage the voluntary sector in Sussex and support a diverse number of small charities to make grant applications. This means that an enormous amount of work is done looking at funding priorities, making evidence-based decisions around the grant making process and finding the funds to support all this.

Why did you become a trustee at the Foundation?

I felt that becoming a trustee gave me an opportunity to put the knowledge of thirty years working in the local health service to best use. I believe in the Foundation’s mission and have seen firsthand the important contribution the voluntary sector makes to local communities. With the pressure on our public services greater than ever, this contribution is vital to meet the diversity of need in Sussex. Small local charities are quick to see an opportunity to support people and fill the gaps in local provision, from children to older people and so much more - there is much we can do!

What experiences do you have of being a trustee?

As well as my primary care nursing background, I have been a trustee at a Sussex Hospice and I am a governor at Chailey Heritage Foundation. Both these roles have given me insight into the running and support that is required to nurture the development of a charity, in this case, Sussex Community Foundation.

What do you enjoy about being a trustee?

I enjoy working with a diverse group of professional trustees and staff who are committed to making Sussex a fairer place to live. There is so much to learn, for example: obtaining insight into the changing challenges facing our local communities or sitting on the grants committee and witnessing the variety of applications the Foundation receives. I also enjoy being able to meet and talk to the funded charities themselves. It is rewarding to feel that as a trustee I can make a contribution… albeit small!

What are your responsibilities as a trustee at Sussex Community Foundation?

As well as attending the quarterly Trustee Board meetings, I sit on the Grants and the Audit & Risk committees. In addition to these commitments, I regularly meet with fellow trustees and the senior management team to oversee the running of the charity.

I also represent the Foundation on the East Brighton Trust and the Lewes Fund, including attending grants decision panels.  

"All charities are different but there are some common themes which help me contribute to the governance of the Foundation. As trustees, we are responsible for ensuring that the Foundation is financially sound, well-run and meets its charitable purpose. In meeting these obligations, I see my role as being a supportive friend who offers constructive challenge."

Deirdre Prower, trustee
What does a day in the life of a trustee at the Foundation look like?

My day might be reading and preparing for committee or board meetings. I can visit charities, advocate for the Foundation with potential donors or represent us at various events - no two days are ever the same!

What advice would you give others thinking of becoming a trustee?

Go for it! The rewards are worth it.

How financial planning and charitable gifting can go hand in hand

For more than 25 years, Herbert Scott has helped people achieve their life’s goals through meaningful financial planning and that often includes charitable gifting.

Our focus is often on clients coming up to, or in the early phases of, retirement. Understandably, as clients age, the early question of “have I got enough to live the life I want in retirement?” evolves into “what can I do to mitigate my Inheritance Tax bill?”.

Charitable gifting

Not all clients have wider family to pass their funds on to, and even those that do still often wish to undertake an element of charitable gifting. This can either be during their lifetime, when the value of the gifted funds could potentially be outside of their estate immediately, or in their Wills when the rate of IHT applied can be reduced from 40% to 36% where 10% or more of their taxable estate is left to charity.

Working with Sussex Community Foundation

It is at times like this that we often turn to the expertise of Sussex Community Foundation to better the philanthropic conversations we have with our clients. From our viewpoint, involving the Foundation in these discussions provides us with confidence about the charitable gifting our clients undertake, safe in the knowledge that the charities have undergone the scrutiny of the Foundation’s due diligence. It also broadens our clients’ awareness of charities which are of particular interest to them and gives them the opportunity to have as much (or as little) involvement with the charities as they feel comfortable with.

Case study

We recently introduced an elderly client to the Foundation, after using our cashflow planning software to establish she had more than sufficient wealth to meet any eventualities she was likely to encounter during her remaining lifetime, including the potential funding of care fees. She wanted to see what other options there were to reduce the Inheritance Tax bill on her estate and, while she was not averse to paying some Inheritance Tax, the idea of having some control over where her surplus money was spent appealed, rather than leaving this decision to the Government on her death.

We explored options such as increasing gifting to her family, investing in tax-lead Inheritance Tax planning schemes, and charitable gifting. At this point, we introduced our client to the Foundation so that they could help her gain a better understanding of the range of local charities and community groups that aligned with her philanthropic interests. Under their guidance she decided to set up a Donor Advised Fund.

On a personal note, I continue to be heartened by the number of clients who are interested in making charitable donations as part of their financial plan and having good conversations around this subject is a valuable part of the service we provide.

Tracey Payne BA(Hons), Chartered FCSI, DipPFS
Investment Director & Financial Planner

Herbert Scott Ltd
The Left Bank, 173 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1YE

enquiries@herbertscott.uk
www.herbertscott.co.uk

Herbert Scott is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

This article is distributed for information and/or educational purposes and should not be considered investment advice or an offer of any product for sale.

Should I gift or should I sell?

We all know there are tax benefits to making gifts to charity but do we always think how best to make these donations?

Gifting cash to the charity

The most common form of gifting - and if the donation is ‘gift aided’, there will be tax benefits for both the donor and the charity. 

The charity will be able to claim back an additional 25p for every £1 gifted and if the donor is a higher or additional rate tax payer they will also knock off 25p/31.25p from their tax bill for every £1 donated. 

It can get even better for individuals if their taxable income falls in either of the two quite punitive marginal tax bands – if their income is between £50,000 and £60,000 the tax saving could be higher as it will reduce the amount of child benefit claw-back, or more commonly for individuals who earn between £100,000 and £125,140 the tax saving could be 50p per £1 donated (on top of the 25p claimed directly by the charity) as they will be able to extend the band at which taxpayers start to lose their tax free personal allowance. 

It is also important to consider the timing when you make donations. Donations can be carried back one year on the tax return as long as this tax return has not already been filed – worth considering if one tax year you are in these marginal tax bands not the year after.

Gifting an asset to the charity 

Our client did not have much income in the year in question and so there would have been very little tax relief in gifting cash to the charity. We therefore discussed gifting an asset to the charity instead. If the charity is willing to accept the asset the gift could happen without a Capital Gains Tax charge.    

The charity would be able to sell the asset with no tax charge and the donor would be able to make a gift and save themselves a potential Capital Gains Tax bill. 

If the individual also had income in the year there might be an Income Tax deduction for certain qualifying assets (broadly listed shares and interests in UK land and property).   If the gift of an asset is a possibility for both the donor and the charity this is worth exploring as the combined Capital Gains Tax and Income Tax saving may exceed the tax reliefs for a gift aided cash donation. 

Understandably it is a big ‘if’ that the charity will accept the asset as you would be passing on the burden of administering and selling the asset to them, which the charity may not have the capacity to do. Sussex Community Foundation will accept a donation in the form of assets in certain situations so it is certainly worth a conversation with them if this could be on the agenda. 

Selling an asset to the charity

Our client was looking to gift a certain amount to the charity and was thinking of selling an asset worth more than the intended gift. We therefore discussed the possibility of selling the asset to the charity at undervalue to achieve the same result.  

For example, say some shares are worth £75,000 and the intended gift was £50,000. Our client could have sold the shares to the charity for £25,000.  

The donor would be in the same position – they would have £25,000 cash in their pocket but importantly the sale at undervalue to the charity could happen on a no gain/no loss basis.  Therefore, no Capital Gains Tax to pay (although worth noting that if the £25,000 proceeds was higher than original purchase price there would be Capital Gains Tax to pay). There could also be an Income Tax deduction if there is sufficient income and the assets were qualifying listed shares. 

The charity would also be in the same position – it would have shares worth £75,000 which cost them £25,000. The net donation to them is therefore £50,000 as intended by our donor. 

Again, this puts an administrative burden on the charity so it would need a discussion to see if something like this could be accommodated. 

Deed or Gift

In some cases, a charity may be reluctant to take on the management of an asset. The charity may accept the gift but ask the donor to sell the asset on their behalf. By signing a deed of gift, or exchanging letters, the donor may be able to achieve the same tax benefits while saving the charity significant administration and management time. 

In summary, it is always worth discussing alternatives with clients when discussing charitable gifting and always worth discussing with a representative of the charity to see if they will accept donations in the form of assets or sales at undervalue. I’m sure Sussex Community Foundation would love to have conversations like these with potential donors.

What is philanthropy (and why might you need some help with yours)?

“It is more difficult to give money away intelligently than to earn it in the first place” 

Andrew Carnegie

I’m not sure I agree wholly with this famous quote from one of the world’s best-known philanthropists but it expresses a sentiment with which many can identify. That we want our personal giving to make a real difference in the world and that it’s often hard to know how to do that well.

It’s easy to get stuck on what is and what isn’t philanthropy, so let’s deal with this before we move on. 

Yes, its etymology is in the Greek ‘love of humanity’. Yes, it’s historically often associated with super-rich western, white men who are either dead and well-known (Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller for example) or alive, associated with the tech industry and well-known (Gates, Bezos, Zuckerberg and co). And yes, it’s probably helpful to make some distinction between charity and philanthropy.

Whilst both are a form of private action for public good, charity can be thought of as more impulsive and emotionally driven, short-term in nature and perhaps responding to a public appeal or requests from networks to support a particular cause. Philanthropy is usually thought to be more strategic, considered and taking a longer-term approach that seeks to make meaningful change and address the root causes of issues if it can. Of course, both are critical to a well-functioning civil society.

There are also numerous different approaches people and institutions might take to philanthropy: cheque-book philanthropy; citizenship philanthropy; wholesale philanthropy and venture philanthropy are just some. Impact investing and participatory grant-making too. Some approaches are now virtually movements themselves, such as Effective Altruism or the Patriotic Millionaires.

But as the world moves on so does philanthropy.

Today, I would argue that anyone who thinks deeply and considers how they can best deploy their time, their talent or their treasure to create social impact should be considered philanthropic. So, this includes the many thousands of inspiring volunteers who give their time and expertise each week to our local community groups. For example, by helping at food banks or giving expert advice on benefits with their local citizens’ advice bureau. 

And wealthy tech bros don’t have the monopoly on being strategic with their use of capital to address social goals. Indeed, they’re not always very good at it. The command & control, top-down approach suitable for a Silicon Valley start-up doesn’t translate well to the messy, real world of non-profits and social impact.

By contrast other voices and methods are now coming to the fore.

Mackenzie Scott has given away billions of dollars to non-profits around the world since 2019 with $2.15 billion to 360 organisations in 2023 alone. She does it quickly, over multiple years and largely without restriction on use, recognising that those doing the work know how best to use the funds.

Mackenzie Scott

What could loosely be called ‘community philanthropy’ is also on the rise. Taking one example from thousands around the world, in Nepal, Tewa, is a community of several thousand ordinary women, pooling their resources to transform the lives of other women and the most vulnerable in their communities.

Another is the ‘soup’ model which started in Detroit and has now spread around the world including to Sussex. You pay a few pounds to enjoy a bowl of soup in a community venue, network, hear pitches from within the community, cast a vote and the winning pitch takes the pot.

These different models and approaches aren’t mutually exclusive. But you might still need help and advice to ‘do’ philanthropy well. Which brings us to Charles Dickens…

Was Dickens the UK’s first philanthropy advisor? The famous Victorian novelist and depicter of the urban poor worked closely advising Angela Burdett-Coutts, a wealthy heiress of the fortune from her grandfather who was former Senior Partner at the famous bank. Angela had the capital and the power to spend it but her status as a woman in Victorian society prevented her from accessing the information required to do so well. Dickens supported her with this, researching need, presenting ideas and even directly managing projects such as Urania House, a home for former prostitutes and their children. Coutts estimate that with Dickens’ help she gave away at least “£350 million in today’s money” and was also key in setting-up the NSPCC and Royal Marsden specialist cancer hospital.

Angela Burdett-Coutts

Very few of us have access to the capital that Burdett-Coutts did yet the need for some help and advice in giving well can be just as compelling.

At Sussex Community Foundation we meet people every week who want to put something back into the community in which they live and work but aren’t sure what route to take. We are here to help.

Sometimes they are passionate about particular causes such as homelessness or supporting children & young people but need advice to navigate a complicated sector so any financial support makes the biggest difference possible.

Often, people want to hear from us what the local challenges are in Sussex. Here our deep connections with the voluntary sector and research such as Tackling Poverty are invaluable in sharing stories and providing an evidence base for effective decision making. This can really help with the move towards a more strategic approach with philanthropy.

Ultimately, our mission is to champion and enable all who want to make a positive contribution to our local area through effective philanthropy and community action. We believe in the power of community and if you do too let’s talk.

by Stephen Chamberlain, Head of Philanthropy

Uncovering Sussex: How evidence-based research helps Sussex Community Foundation to tackle poverty

Sussex Community Foundation commissioned our research team at Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI) to produce a Tackling Poverty report, to gain insights into Sussex's poverty levels, continuing the 'Sussex Uncovered' series.

The report establishes a baseline of data about poverty in Sussex, and the Foundation intends to use the evidence gathered in this report to inform their development as a community foundation. 

Methodology

We began our work by analysing and evaluating data under five key themes that emerged from conversations with the Foundation on their key strategic priorities for addressing poverty across Sussex. These are: 

We used our experience in producing Needs Profiles for other Community Foundations and knowledge of the data landscape to identify key metrics to analyse under those themes.

We explored data from a range of sources, including administrative datasets (data which is created or collected when people interact with public services, such as schools, the NHS, the courts or the benefits system, and collated by the government) collected by government departments, such as claimants of means tested benefits and homeless statistical returns. We also explored self-reported survey data from the 2021 Census.

Where possible, data was collected over a five-to-ten-year timeframe to allow exploration of the impacts of wider socio-economic changes and challenges over time, particularly in the context of the pandemic and cost of living crisis. 

We investigated the performance of Sussex’s Local Authorities, major towns, rural areas, and neighbourhoods, and produced our findings as a narrative analysis, supplemented with data visualisations. We used our data mapping and reporting platform, Local Insight, to simplify aggregation of data to the Sussex neighbourhoods and quickly export population statistics for the areas under review.

We chose to use this narrative-driven approach to highlight the trends and issues we discovered in a way that builds an easy to understand story of a local place. This allows stakeholders to see the woods for the trees and aids in gaining a deeper understanding of the issues at hand and how they intersect with each other. 

Findings

We identified four clear challenges faced by Sussex communities in their campaign against poverty.

Challenge 1: An ageing population

Sussex’s population is older than the national average, and the 65+ population is projected to grow by 41.3% between 2020 and 2040. Already, rising social care and poor health burdens are creating challenges for the region’s public health services. The associated fall in the working-age population will likely lead to a reduction in labour market demand and may also increase labour market costs, while the potential loss of salaried employees could reduce disposable incomes and impact on consumer spending.

Challenge 2: High levels of long-term illness and poor outcomes for those with a disability

17.6% of people in Sussex have a disability, compared to 15.6% in the South East and 16.9% in England. There is strong evidence to suggest that people with disabilities across Sussex are more likely to experience material deprivation challenges - alongside the general health challenges associated with long-term illness and disability.

Challenge 3: Inflationary pressures are contributing towards financial hardship

The region is experiencing financial pressures due to the rising costs of living, which is impacting on the availability of affordable housing and the overall cost of essentials. Those in Sussex’s rural and coastal communities are especially vulnerable to the rising costs of energy bills, with 8.2% of homes in those areas found to have had a low energy efficiency rating - more than double the national average (3.3%).

Challenge 4: Multiple deprivation challenges in coastal communities​​

Each of the eight most deprived towns in Sussex is located in coastal communities. These towns face a range of issues, from economic struggles to social welfare concerns.

Stefan Noble
Director and Head of Research, OCSI

January 2024

Help us now on tackling poverty.

Donations are pooled with others in the community to enable impactful grant making in this area. You can make donations of any size and it will make a real difference to people’s lives.

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Ten years of growth

Writing this at the end of just over ten years in the Sussex Community Foundation Grants Team, I realised that my working career after leaving university started out in a Grants Team. So, in a way I really have come full circle!

After 27 years in the British Council (where I started as a Grants Officer and then took on a variety of different roles), I took the plunge, heading into the voluntary sector in Sussex, working for three very productive years in a volunteer hub, managed by Crawley CVS. It was there that I first heard about the Foundation and its philanthropic work, supporting communities across the county. I can still recall a slide from CEO Kevin Richmond’s presentation, which featured a filing cabinet. But this was not just any filing cabinet Kevin explained, this had been purchased by a group using a grant from the Foundation to bring order to its office! From that moment my attention was grabbed, and interest in the work of the Foundation was born.

It was serendipitous that the closure of the volunteer hub in 2013, coincided with the Foundation recruiting for a Grants Administrator, for which I immediately applied. I arrived to join a very friendly and supportive team of five based in Lewes, and I always knew when it was Wednesday as the gentle aroma of brewing beer from Harvey’s brewery would greet me as I stepped off my train at Lewes Station.

There were just two people in the Grants Team in those days, and I found myself on a fast learning curve (not least discovering just how extensive the voluntary sector was across the county). At the same time, the Foundation was implementing a new system to manage its grants – an exciting challenge, but not without its stresses!  

I recall a busy office, and being a small team frequently meant all hands to the pump. Inevitably administration occupied a significant proportion of our time, but there were plenty of opportunities to interact with applicants, whether on the phone or in person. At that time, we were giving out just under £1m in grants (a figure that would rise to over £4.2m during the height of the Covid pandemic) across four grant rounds. I recall panel meetings for which mountains of papers had to be meticulously prepared (and worrying just how many trees had been cut down in the process) and always feeling a certain sadness that there were always more worthy applications than we had money to fund. 

Under three inspiring managers, both the scope of the Grants Team and my role in it grew and developed. As well as playing a largely administrative role, I became gradually more involved with specific programmes, especially those funded at a national level by statutory and private sector partners and those developed in partnership with UKCF. There were local initiatives too, including those embracing the arts (a passion of mine) such as the Westdene Fund, which supports talented young musicians. One of the delights of administering these awards was meeting young inspirational people, who were so passionate and knowledgeable about music. 

Interaction with community groups across Sussex was an especially important part of my job, and it was a delight to get out of the office to witness what was being achieved with our grants. It was little surprise that my interests were soon focused on encouraging and advocating the work of infrastructure (Voluntary Actions) and ‘second line’ groups – something I am still passionate about and believe in today. The partnerships formed are some of the most positive aspects of my time at Sussex Community Foundation and I leave this behind as my legacy.

The past ten years have seen considerable growth in the Foundation’s grants activity, and a doubling of the grants team to four full-time staff in response. Online systems have replaced paper files, and we (mostly) marvel at the relative ease with which we now process applications that previously had required much ‘copy and paste’. Increasingly we work with our colleagues in Voluntary Actions delivering training and workshops to help potential applicants access our funding: which has helped develop a special relationship between the Foundation and these organisations.

There have been many highlights for me during my time at the Foundation. This includes the huge honour of being invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party in 2018, in recognition of a particular programme I had worked on. 

I couldn’t end though, without mentioning the amazing work the whole Sussex Community Foundation Team put in during the Covid pandemic, often under very demanding circumstances. Untested, untried, hitting the ground running this work was exciting, challenging, at times frustrating, but ultimately hugely impactful and life changing. It was humbling to be so regularly involved in activity that presented the voluntary sector at its very best, and which achieved such remarkable impact.  

I leave the Foundation with many happy memories, colleagues past and present who have become friends for life, a real sense of achievement, but above all heartfelt thanks for the privilege of 10 years of helping make Sussex a better place to live in for those now and future generations.

Adrian Barrott

Grants Officer from 2013 to 2023

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