Pride Community Foundation CIC launches Restart Fund to support local LGBTQ+ community groups in Brighton & Hove

The Pride Community Fund CIC (PCF), which supports and celebrates LGBTQ+ people and communities, has announced the launch of the Restart Fund to support local LGBTQ+ community groups in Brighton & Hove.

According to PCF, "the demise of the Brighton Rainbow Fund, many of the community groups that have outstanding grants from, are now struggling to pay essential bills". 

While PCF is not able to assume or settle another organisation’s debts, it recognises that many community groups are still feeling the impact and this one-off Restart Fund is a pot of funding to help organisations who are struggling because of unpaid Brighton Rainbow Fund awards.

Earlier this year, Brighton & Hove Pride worked with local LGBTQ+ groups to understand the challenges caused by unpaid Brighton Rainbow Fund grants and in response, Brighton & Hove Pride facilitated over £62,000 in one-off emergency funding through the PCF to support those organisations most at risk including Clare Project, Lunch Positive, Trans Pride Brighton and LGBTQ Switchboard.

Going forward, Brighton Pride CIC is no longer associated with the Brighton Rainbow Fund and will be asset-locked to PCF.

In 2025, £200,000 was raised at Brighton & Hove Pride’s ticketed events from the ring-fenced £2 per ticket contribution and from donations from venues’ fundraising including Legends, Patterns, Concorde2 and the Rainbow Run, has been allocated to PCF to enable these essential grants.

From Pride 2026, the ring-fenced minimum contribution per ticket will increase from £2.00 to £2.50, ensuring even greater long-term support for local community organisations and the continued development of PCF projects. PCF will also host quarterly community meetings to provide guidance, ensure transparency, and strengthen community engagement around fundraising and grant-giving.

Leslie Clarke, CEO of PCF, said, “The failure of the Brighton Rainbow Fund was catastrophic for many of our essential local LGBTQ+ charities and community projects, so I am delighted that, thanks to fundraising by Brighton & Hove Pride in 2025, we have been able to ringfence £30,000 to distribute through our Restart Fund. 

“Unfortunately, we are not in a financial position to honour all the grants promised by the BRF, but the Restart Fund will ensure those groups in the most precarious position will be able to apply for a one-off grant to help weather this period. 

“Looking forward to 2026, we are honoured to be the organisation trusted to distribute Brighton & Hove Pride’s fundraising and we are also actively sourcing additional income to boost the pot available. We are setting up an independent community-led grants advisory board that will look at all the applications impartially and will be holding quarterly community meetings to ensure we remain open and transparent.

I am delighted that, thanks to fundraising by Brighton Pride in 2025, we have been able to ringfence £30,000 to distribute through our Restart Fund. 

“PCF is not just a grant-giving organisation. We are committed to ensuring the UK continues on a progressive path for LGBTQ+ equality, championing policies and voices that push back against discrimination and division, and are commissioning research into LGBTQ+ legislation and provisions to identify and challenge inequalities.

“If you are passionate about equity and inclusion, please do get in touch with us to see how we can work together. We’re so grateful to have you with us on this journey. Your support, energy and belief in grassroots change are what make PCF thrive.”

Paul Kemp, Director of Brighton Pride CIC, said: “I’m thrilled that PCF has been established with an advisory board of local representatives. This new structure will enhance transparency, facilitate regular community engagement, and ensure that Pride grants are managed independently and effectively.”