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.

• Less than 2% of all charitable grants in the UK go to women and girls’ organisations
• 90% of organisations in the sector have experienced an increase in demand for services while reporting a 64% drop in finances
• On a local level, mental health hospital admissions are notably higher for girls than boys, especially in Brighton & Hove, where girls are admitted at a rate over 4.5 times that of boys
• Persistent absenteeism in secondary schools is higher for girls than boys and is at its peak in Brighton & Hove where the figure is pushing 32%
• Women are far more likely to be providing intensive unpaid care than men across Sussex, with the highest rates in East Sussex, where women provide an average of 3.59 hours a week, compared to 2.45 hours from men.

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.

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.