Brighton Pride: Applications now open for Brighton Pride Social Impact Fund

Community groups are being invited to bid for a grant to put Pride into our city. For one weekend every year, the city is taken over by a sea of rainbows. From the parade watched by tens of thousands, through to the festival in Preston Park, through to the street party in St James’ Street, the whole city comes together to mark the LGBT celebration.

Now, community groups are being invited to bid for money raised from the event to ensure that the positive message of Pride has an impact on areas of Brighton and Hove all year round.

Paul Kemp, director of Brighton and Hove Pride, said: “Community fundraising is central to the purpose of Pride in Brighton and Hove. On top of our record breaking fundraising for the Rainbow Fund we are thrilled to be able to deliver small grants funding through the social impact fund to small grass roots community organisations that can help deliver a positive community impact to the wider community.”

The Pride Social Impact Fund aims to support those groups or organisations which need a little helping hand in making a difference in their community. However big or small, 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 £12,500 is available for groups to bid for. Funding comes from contributions made by businesses within the St James’ Street Party area. The application process for this year’s fund is open now and bids will be considered by a panel made up of representatives from The Argus, BBC Sussex, Juice 107.2, Brighton and Hove Independent, Gscene, Latest magazine and Latest TV.

Submissions should be a maximum of 400 words mapping out how the money will be spent and why the cause is deserving. Please note the maximum award will be £1,000. There is no lower limit. 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 by midday on November 30 by email to Bhsocialimpactfund@gmail.com