Ahead of this year’s Brighton Pride, the Rainbow Fund is inviting applications for funding. LGBT voluntary sector groups looking for frontline grant funding can apply to the Rainbow Fund via the Sussex Community Foundation from now until October 11. Brighton Pride is one of the high profile groups w
Ahead of this year’s Brighton Pride, the Rainbow Fund is inviting applications for funding.
LGBT voluntary sector groups looking for frontline grant funding can apply to the Rainbow Fund via the Sussex Community Foundation from now until October 11.
Brighton Pride is one of the high profile groups who donate funds to the Rainbow Fund, giving £1 per ticket sold directly to the fund.
Paul Elgood, Chairman of the Rainbow Fund said:
“Thanks to the continued generosity of our fundraising groups and supporters, we can once again offer LGBT and HIV groups and charities the chance to apply for grant funding. The majority of our autumn grants comes thanks to Pride, so it is exciting that the application process is open during the build-up to the event.
“I cannot stress enough that we only fund frontline HIV and LGBT groups and activities on a needs-led basis. If an activity does not have a direct benefit in terms of health care, well-being, social care, community safety or similar frontline service, it will not be funded. Our donors provide funding on that basis.
“No group has the automatic right to funding and for the system to work some applications get turned down, as they are independently assessed by funding priority. Because of limited funding there are times when even strong applications get turned down. Groups need to understand this before applying. We do what we can, but we simply cannot fund every application.
“Voluntary sector organisations with frontline projects which will benefit the local LGBT community are encouraged to apply. The Sussex Community Foundation independently assess applications, and then a grants panel meets to discuss the applications. If a group wants to be successful they have to pass both stages and convince the six members of the grants panel of support. The panel members individually make their own minds up on applications – there are no advance recommendations before a meeting. It is a very fair process and the best projects get funded.
“I would like to thank our donors for making this grants round possible. We are accountable to our donors, who give money on the basis that the money donated is used in a transparent and accountable way, for the most pressing frontline causes in our community.”
The Rainbow Fund is independently administered by the Sussex Community Foundation to provide donors with a transparent and open way to support the LGBT community. The fund benefits from a number of high profile fundraising events and activities, and does not raise money directly itself.
Everyone at the Rainbow Fund is a volunteer, with no salaries, offices or overheads to fund. The only expenses relate to the professional advice and support it receives to ensure the safe accounting and distribution of its funds.
Applications need to be made directly to the Sussex Community Foundation, CLICK HERE:
