The Worthing and Adur Fund - Applications Now Open

The fund that keeps on giving! 

Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce has a charitable fund called the ‘Worthing & Adur Fund’, in partnership with Sussex Community Foundation, a charity that develops and supports local giving.

A number of local Worthing people and businesses were founder donors, each giving a minimum of £1,000. These donations established a core endowment fund, the income from which, as it has grown, has enabled the Fund to make grants to many charities and community groups. Thanks to the Grassroots Endowment Challenge, every initial donation to the fund was matched pound for pound by the government. This means that the contributions have twice the impact in supporting local charities and community projects.

The fund was set up in 2009 to support small charities and community groups working in Worthing & Adur area. The Chamber spearheaded the fund through various fundraising events including quizzes, golf days and encouraged the donations from many local businesses and individuals to support the fund over the past decade. The fund gave out its first grants in November 2011.

The Chamber works with the Sussex Community Foundation to promote this permanent fund which provides grants to small charities and community groups working in Worthing and Adur. Each year there are three rounds of applications with grants of up to £1000 which can see over 200 applicants from a variety of groups.

Applying to the fund

Are you involved in a small local Charity, voluntary organisation or Community group? If so you can apply for a grant of up to £1000 to support your project. Grants of up to £1,000 are paid out three times a year.

We are particularly keen to support grassroots community groups and small-to-medium sized voluntary organisations. All applicants must be not-for-profit community organisations and be working for the benefit of the people in Sussex. You do not have to be a charity but you will need to have your own bank account and be able to provide a signed copy of your constitution and accounts, a copy of a recent bank statement, estimates for proposed purchases (if applicable) and copies of relevant policies.

How to Apply: 

The awards are open to applications. There are three main rounds of grant-giving each year. Upcoming deadlines for applications (unless specified otherwise) is 5:00pm (1700 hours) as follows:

• Friday 5th May 2023 (Decisions July 2023)
• Friday 8th September 2023 (Decisions November 2023)
• Friday 5th January 2024 (Decisions March 2024)

Please note the general funds cannot support small contributions to large capital appeals or campaigns. General round grants are available to cover a range of core and project costs

Please read the general guidance notes before applying.

We’re pleased to announce that the online application form for the next General Round of grants (closing on Friday 5^th May) is now available to access here https://ukcommunityfoundation.my.salesforce-sites.com/forms/SussexCommunityFoundation/ApplicationForm/2022

If you are unsure what to do or have questions about the grants please contact Sussex Community Foundation on 01273 409 440.

On receipt of your application Sussex Community Foundation will contact you to advise when you are likely to hear the outcome.

Donating to the Fund

The Worthing & Adur Fund is still open to ongoing donations, and we hope to build this resource for the community even further. By contributing, you can help ensure that our community continues to thrive and support those who need it most.

Join us today in making a positive impact on our community - donate to the Worthing & Adur Fund and help create lasting change for years to come.