Brighton & Hove Pride – True Champions of Inclusivity

Community groups and good causes across Brighton and Hove are once again being invited to bid for grants to put Pride in our city.

For the first time in three years, hundreds of thousands of people flocked to Brighton and Hove this August for the LGBTQ+ celebration, which is one of the biggest in the UK. The return of Pride to Brighton & Hove also means the return of the Pride Social Impact Fund – with community groups being invited to bid for money raised from the event to ensure the positive message of the event has an impact on areas of the city all year round. Launched in 2016, the welcomes applications from groups or organisations which need a helping hand in making a difference in their community. The deadline for applications is 12pm on November 30.

The majority of grants awarded will be for up to £1,000 but the the independent panel does have the potential to consider one or two larger projects with a grant of up to £10,000 – but only if the independent panel feels the bid meets the criteria and objectives of the fund.

Tim Ridgway, Chairman of the Pride Social Impact Fund, said: “Since being launched in 2016, the Pride Social Impact Fund has provided more than 100 grassroots groups across Brighton and Hove invaluable support, ensuring that Pride has a positive impact on residents across the city all year round.

“After a pause due to the pandemic, it was fantastic to welcome Pride back to the city this summer, creating an incredibly memorable weekend as well as raising a wonderful amount of money to support good causes across the city. We know that times are difficult for many at the moment so we’re keen to ensure that we can support as many groups and organisations as possible with the funding this year

“So whether your idea is big or small, I urge groups across Brighton and Hove to submit their bids as soon as they can and look forward to being able to help some amazing grassroots groups put a little bit of Pride back into our city.”

Launched in 2016, the Pride Social Impact Fund has distributed more than £70,000 to groups across the city so far. Projects do not have to be directly-linked to Pride (although applicants directly impacted will be favoured); the only criteria is that it will brighten up people’s lives by the time Pride comes round again next year.

This year, up to £30,000 is available for groups to bid for, which has been raised from contributions made from Pride Village Party and other official Pride community events,

HOW TO APPLY

The Social Impact Fund has been set up to provide small grants for communal good. Grants are awarded annually to organisations or groups within the city with particular emphasis on areas directly affected or in the footprint of Brighton and Hove Pride.

Submissions should be a maximum of 400 words mapping out how the money will be spent and why the cause is deserving. The maximum award for the majority of bids will be £1,000. There is no lower limit. The panel also has the potential of awarding one or two larger grants of up to £10,000 for 2018, but these bids need to comprehensively meet the criteria, namely supporting good causes in areas directly impacted by Pride.

There is no restriction on numbers of entries by individual groups. However, the emphasis is on supporting community and grassroots groups, rather than individuals.

Please submit it by midday on November 30 by email to bhsocialimpactfund@gmail.com

Applications will be considered by a panel of representatives from the local media with successful applicants informed by the end of December.

Any money distributed needs to have had a visible outcome by the start of Pride 2023.