Town Council Financial Grants

The Council has restarted its normal programme of financial grants for the community, after a brief closure due to the Covid-19 emergency.  The Emergency fund we set up will continue to accept applications until the fund is exhausted – please see below for more information.

Alongside larger grants* each year to organizations like Citizens’ Advice and support for community bus services, the Council has for over 20 years operated a scheme that has aided hundreds of community groups and organizations with cash grants to support their projects or, sometimes, their basic running costs

*for information on ‘Major funding’ financial support please see our Briefing note here.

The objectives of the scheme are to help maintain a vibrant community sector in the town, with particular emphasis on groups and non-commercial organizations who support the Council’s vision which covers

• Sustainable transport, related infrastructure & signage, cycling routes, bus transport
• Openness: engagement; consultation; partnership
• Trees and biodiversity; wildlife and the environment; Open spaces
• Support for foodbanks and the disadvantaged

We will consider financial support for community organisations working for the benefit of the community. We do not normally support commercial organizations.  The Grants Fund is agreed within our annual budget and grants up to £2,000 are disbursed four times each year. Larger sums may be considered, but you should discuss this with the Town Clerk before submitting an application.  Applications  can be made for help towards a special project, or the everyday running costs of your organization.

We assess the grant applications we have received in four ’rounds’ each year, although they can be submitted at any time – please see below for the current timetable.

Please click here for the complete information pack, which includes details of the scheme, an application form, and guidance for applicants.  NOTE – applications will only be accepted by e-mail.

APPLICATIONS TIMETABLE 2020-21

Deadline for applications       10^th August 2020

Assessment Panel review       19^th August 2020

Council decision                     3^rd September 2020

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Deadline for applications       4^th September  2020

Assessment Panel review       16^th September 2020

Council decision                     8^th October 2020

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Deadline for applications       20^th November 2020

Assessment Panel review       2^nd December 2020

Council decision                     17^th December 2020

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Deadline for applications       29^th January 2021

Assessment Panel review       10^th February 2021

Council decision                     4^th March 2021

Covid-19 Coronavirus Emergency Fund  The Council earmarked a fund available to community groups and organizations working to assist the town community during the crisis.  These may be existing community groups and associations (eg foodbanks), or simply small groups of neighbours who have formed since the emergency began to help each other and others in their area.

This Emergency fund will continue to accept applications until the fund is exhausted – please see below for more information Guidance on how to apply, and an application form are available here. NOTE – applications will only be accepted by e-mail.

Further information from
The Town Hall, High Street, Lewes, BN7 2QS
Telephone 01273 471469 Fax 01273 480919
e-mail townclerk@lewes-tc.gov.uk