Rampion Community Benefit Fund
Grants available for: projects that benefit the local community, in particular those with links to environment and ecology, climate change and energy.
Size of grants given: £1,000 to £10,000
Next deadline: spring 2023
Aims of Fund
The list below gives examples of the types of projects and initiatives they would consider, though they are open to other ideas:
- Projects that encourage the sustainable use of resources and assist in tackling climate change;
- Projects with a focus on energy use and energy efficiency;
- Renewables and sustainability initiatives for community facilities;
- Support for marine ecology, nature conservation and environmental improvements;
- Projects that enhance awareness, understanding and active engagement of the special nature of the south downs and marine environment, e.g. The Living Coast, UNESCO designation;
- Increasing opportunities for those facing disadvantage and deprivation to take part in onshore and offshore sports and recreational pursuits;
- Increasing the value, experience and understanding of the natural heritage by both visitors and residents.
There are further examples of funded project on their website.
Who can apply
The Fund is open to charities, community groups and not-for-profit organisations, operating within the area shown on this map, which extends from Littlehampton Harbour in the west, to Beachy Head in the east and up to the A272 near Twineham in the north close to the wind farm’s onshore substation.
How much and what can you apply for
You can apply for:
- Grants of between £1,000 and £10,000.
- In exceptional circumstances, they will consider larger funding requests for projects with a particularly strong energy-related focus, and these projects must secure at least 50%
match funding in order to be successful. If you want to apply for a larger grant, contact them in advance to discuss your idea. - If you are applying for a capital project, you will need match funding. Their full guidance has more details of what they are looking for in a capital funding bid.
They will not fund:
- Sporting activities that harm or degrade natural habitat or wildlife;
- Beautification competitions (e.g. Village in bloom);
- Events unless they have a specific focus on the environment or sustainability and can demonstrate longer term impact;
- Highways improvements;
- Purchase or running of non-electric vehicles
- Promotion of specific religious or political beliefs;
- Projects that are the statutory responsibility of a local authority;
- Individuals;
- Schools (PTA’s may be eligible providing resource will be available to the wider community and accessible outside of school hours);
- Organisations or activities which don’t benefit communities in Sussex;
- Organisations that discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, disability, age, or sexual orientation;
- Projects which will be used to make awards to a third party;
- Projects which only benefit animals;
- Organisations who have not returned monitoring from previous SCF awards;
- Retrospective funding for activities or projects that have already taken place
How to apply
Read the Rampion Fund guidelines (PDF) and fill in the Rampion Fund application form, on the Sussex Community Foundation website. The form will be available from December 2022.
Deadlines for application
The fund is currently closed, and is due to re-open in December 2022 with an application deadline in March 2023.
The fund opens once a year, usually between December and March.
Contact details
15 Western Road
Lewes BN7 1RL
Phone number: 01273 409440
email: grants@sussexgiving.org.uk
website: sussexgiving.org.uk/rampion
Date page updated 26/4/22 RL