These dedicated, often under-the-radar organisations are embedded in our local communities and deliver lasting change every day - with passion, care, and deep local knowledge.
Local grassroots groups are uniquely placed to tackle the complex challenges faced across our county. From supporting young people into employment to reducing rural isolation, they respond with tailored, place-based solutions.
CAF’s recently published UK Local Giving Report 2025 stressed the importance of community solutions, recommending:
“Support place‑based giving initiatives across the UK, boosting existing initiatives to attract donations to local causes and catalysing activity in areas with the most need for donations.”
That is precisely what we do at the Foundation: encourage local giving and focus our impact where we believe we can make the biggest difference. We do this by helping small charities access the funding they need to thrive. Since 2006, the Foundation has distributed just under £35 million in grants and supported over 3,000 groups, with around half of our funding going to charities earning under £100,000 annually.
“Small charities are the heartbeat of our communities - trusted, nimble, and deeply rooted in place. These groups are doing incredible work with limited resources. At the Foundation, we’re privileged to support their work every day. To every donor, volunteer, funder, and community leader: thank you for believing in small charities - and the big difference they make.”
This week, we want to say a huge thanks to:
Together, we can keep strengthening place-based giving and ensure we continue to build a fairer, more equal Sussex, where small charities use small grants to make a mighty impact.
If you’re interested in finding out how you can support small charities near you, speak to a member of our Philanthropy team.
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