Community Catalyst Fund 2025 to 2027 guidance notes

Read the guidance notes for applying to the Community Catalyst Fund 2025 to 2027.

The Community Catalyst Fund supports local community groups, voluntary organisations and not-for-profit social enterprises, providing grant funding towards core costs and project costs.

The fund reflects the priorities of the Council Plan and seeks to support the resilience of third-sector organisations through the provision of 2-year funding.

A maximum of £10,000 is available per year for 2 years to organisations or partnerships whose annual income is up to £500,000.

Applications are made online via the council website.

There is one opportunity to apply for funding in 2025 to 2027.

The application deadline is 18 October at 23:59:59 and late applications will not be considered.

Who can apply?

Organisations must be set up as non-profit making with no ability to distribute profits to members, shareholders or other third parties.

Organisations must be formally constituted or have a set of rules which detail how the organisation is managed.

Organisations must hold a project named bank with at least 2 authorised signatories from the management group/committee.

Organisations must already be working in Brighton & Hove and be able to demonstrate the value of their work.

All applications must address any one of the 3 key outcomes:

  • a fair and inclusive city
  • a healthy city where people thrive
  • a city to be proud of

and in addition, be able to demonstrate how their project and proposed activities will:

  • enhance equity
  • embrace diversity
  • create inclusive outcomes and community cohesion

What cannot be funded?

The following cannot be funded:

  • activities or projects that are not for the wider benefit of residents of Brighton & Hove
  • activities or projects which are party-political or religious in nature
  • building works or capital costs
  • individuals
  • food projects
  • organisations that form part of the statutory sector such as schools and public bodies
  • activities that are the responsibility of the statutory sector such as school enrichment activities delivered in class time
  • activities that have already taken place/retrospective funding

Making an application

You can download a summary of the questions we will ask you before you apply.

Once you have saved your email into the application portal your email will be sent a link to your application in progress. Please remember to save as you go along.

Read and answer the questions as clearly as you can indicating how you will meet your chosen council outcome(s).

Do not assume the grant panel members will understand acronyms that are common to your work. You should spell out any acronyms in full first before you use them.

What to attach to your application

You should attach the following to your application

  • financial planning for 2 years (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2027)
  • organisational accounts for the financial year ending 31 March 2024 - if these are not available you should submit signed and dated draft accounts (if you're applying as a partnership, we'll need to see accounts for both organisations for that period)
  • signed and dated organisational governing documents.
  • equalities policy
  • safeguarding policies (if working with vulnerable adults or children and young people)
  • complaints policy and procedures

Up to a maximum of £500 can be used towards the purchase of items required to support the project.

Evidence of costs for any purchases for which grant monies are sought to support the grant-funded activity. Two quotes will be required to show due regard for value for money.