[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "are%20there%20any%20lesser%20known%20funding%20pots%20available%20for%20food%20banks%20and%20food%20stores%20in%20Brighton%20%26%20Hove%3F%20I%20am%20looking%20for%20avenues%20that%20may%20not%20have%20already%20been%20considered%20as%20they%20are%20more%20innovative%20and%20creative"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here are some lesser-known, creative, or underutilised funding pots and strategies for food banks & food stores in Brighton & Hove. Some are specific schemes, others are ideas to explore \u2014 many may already be on your radar, but some might offer fresh angles. Let me know if you\u2019d like help applying to any of these.\n\n---\n\n## Local & Council-based Funds\n\n1. **Community Catalyst Fund (Brighton & Hove City Council)**\n   - Bi-annual grants for small-to-medium community and voluntary organisations in Brighton & Hove. ([grantmatch.co.uk](https://www.grantmatch.co.uk/grants/community-catalyst-fund?utm_source=openai))  \n   - Focus is broad: fairness, wellbeing, inclusion, civic pride. Might work well for food stores or networks that combine food provision with community-building. ([brighton-hove.gov.uk](https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/news/2024/apply-now-councils-new-fairness-fund-people-and-place-and-community-catalyst-fund?utm_source=openai))  \n\n2. **Fairness Fund for People & Place**\n   - Councils\u2019 fund offering *one-off* grants (around \u00a32,000) to grassroots community groups supporting people in poverty, or for place-based local poverty alleviation. ([brighton-hove.gov.uk](https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/news/2024/apply-now-councils-new-fairness-fund-people-and-place-and-community-catalyst-fund?utm_source=openai))  \n   - Projects led by minoritised or marginalised communities are prioritised. Some food banks or community food hubs might qualify. ([brighton-hove.gov.uk](https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/news/2024/apply-now-councils-new-fairness-fund-people-and-place-and-community-catalyst-fund?utm_source=openai))  \n\n3. **Brighton & Hove Food Partnership & Related Initiatives**\n   - Their \u201cFood Use Places\u201d project is funded until 2028 by the National Lottery\u2019s Climate Action Fund; focuses on food waste, composting, cooking, and engaging communities often excluded from climate action. ([bhfood.org.uk](https://bhfood.org.uk/food-use-places/?utm_source=openai))  \n   - They also provide toolkits, training, and support for designing sustainable food enterprises, cooking projects, and affordable-food processes. ([bhfood.org.uk](https://bhfood.org.uk/project/support-for-community-food-projects/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## Trusts, Foundations & Grants\n\n4. **Esm\u00e9e Fairbairn Foundation \u2013 Nature-Friendly & Food System Grants**\n   - Brighton & Hove Food Partnership recently got \u00a3386,820 from Esm\u00e9e Fairbairn to build a landscape-scale, nature-friendly agricultural project plus wider food system work. ([grantnav.threesixtygiving.org](https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/grant/360G-EFF-24-1240?utm_source=openai))  \n   - If your project connects food provision with sustainable agriculture, land use, or environmental outcomes, this kind of funding may fit.\n\n5. **Sussex Community Foundation / Local Trusts**\n   - Smaller grants (e.g. the East Brighton -led \u201cEast Brighton Food CIC\u201d received \u00a3750 to deliver Christmas dinners in 2024) from local infrastructure like Sussex Community Foundation. ([grantnav.threesixtygiving.org](https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/grant/360G-SussexCF-A751415?utm_source=openai))  \n   - The Chagossian Fund is another smaller trust to check; they tend to support community wellbeing in Sussex. ([sussexcommunityfoundation.org](https://sussexcommunityfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Chagossian-Fund_Criteria-and-Guidance_2025-1.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n\n6. **Legacy or Special Interest Grants**\n   - The Neil Smith Gold Food Grants were aimed at buying equipment, campaign work, etc., via Brighton & Hove Food Partnership. Although older, similar legacy or smaller grants may reappear. ([bhfood.org.uk](https://bhfood.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/NSGFGguidancenotes20-21.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## Innovation in Funding Strategy & Alternative Income Streams\n\n7. **Social Investment and Mixed Loans/Grants**\n   - Some organisations combine loan + grant, or use revenue-generating social enterprise models (cookery classes, kitchen hire, catering from rescued food). Example: Brighton & Hove Food Partnership\u2019s Community Kitchen model. ([postcodeinnovationtrust.org.uk](https://www.postcodeinnovationtrust.org.uk/social-investment/funded-social-enterprises/brighton-hove-food-partnership/?utm_source=openai))  \n   - Think about product development (e.g. turning surplus food into long-life goods), corporate event catering, or renting kitchen spaces. These can generate income to buffer grant dependency.\n\n8. **Crowdfunding + Match Funding**\n   - Sussex Surplus runs crowdfunding campaigns to sustain multiple community food projects, including gleaning, meals, community dining. They often secure match funding from local grant foundations. ([crowdfunder.co.uk](https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/sussex-surplus-are-crowdfunding?utm_source=openai))  \n   - Projects like East Brighton Food Co-op\u2019s use of crowd-funding for specific activities. ([crowdfunder.co.uk](https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/sussex-surplus-are-crowdfunding?utm_source=openai))  \n\n9. **Corporate Collaborations & CSR Funds**\n   - Though not unique, many food projects do not engage deeply with local businesses\u2019 CSR budgets. Think about linking with supermarkets, farms, food distributors, catering companies who have waste or surplus food to donate, or sponsorship opportunities.  \n   - Some companies have match-giving to staff or grant rounds (e.g. like Aviva\u2019s match-donation in past crowdfunding) which may be replicable locally. (The East Brighton Food Co-op project had Aviva Community Fund match funding up to \u00a3250 donations). ([crowdfunder.co.uk](https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/east-brighton-food-co-operative-1?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## Untapped or Less Obvious Avenues\n\n10. **Urban Agriculture & Land Use Policy**\n    - The Brighton & Hove Food Strategy (2025-30) proposes a \u201cRight to Grow\u201d policy and mapping public land for food growing. Projects that connect food bank or store work to urban growing, volunteering, allotments may access land-oriented funding or partnership funding via open spaces / parks departments. ([democracy.brighton-hove.gov.uk](https://democracy.brighton-hove.gov.uk/documents/s204815/Brighton%20and%20Hove%20Food%20Strategy%20Action%20Plan%202025-30%20APX.%20n%201.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n\n11. **Environmental & Climate Funding for Food Waste / Low-Carbon Food Systems**\n    - Surplus-food rescue, reducing food waste, composting, or climate-friendly packaging are increasingly fundable via climate action funds, environmental trusts, or zero-carbon grants. Food Use Places is one such example using National Lottery Climate Action Fund. ([bhfood.org.uk](https://bhfood.org.uk/food-use-places/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n12. **Health & Wellbeing Funds**\n    - Because food access strongly ties to public health, there can be funding from NHS, Public Health agencies, or health charities for preventative health work (malnutrition, obesity, mental health) embedded in food projects.  \n    - Projects combining cooking, nutrition education, social connection through meals or growing may align well.\n\n13. **Small Project/Grassroots Programmes**\n    - Many funders prefer small, well-defined projects rather than large scale ones. E.g. running a pilot affordable food shop, a community cooking class, or equipment upgrade. These can be stepping stones to larger funding.  \n    - Also look out for grant rounds for inclusion, for racial justice, disability inclusion, or youth engagement\u2014often under-utilised by food aid projects, but relevant.\n\n---\n\nIf you like, I can pull together a **live list** of open funding opportunities right **now** for Brighton & Hove food banks / stores, highlighting those under-\u00a310,000 or with unusual criteria, so you might find something unique. Do you want me to send that?"
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "yes%20do%20that%20for%20me"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here are several live or upcoming grant opportunities and local funding schemes that *could* work for food banks or food stores in Brighton & Hove. Some are specific, some broader, but all have potential for innovative or less-explored projects. I\u2019ve included value, deadlines, and what type of project might suit them. Always check current guidelines closely as funds and eligibility can shift.\n\n---\n\n## \ud83d\ude80 Open & Imminent Grant Opportunities\n\n| Funding Source | Amount / Value | Deadline / Timing | What Makes It Suitable |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| **Stop Hunger Foundation (Sodexo)** | ~\u00a3400,000 split between several charities. Multi-year grants & project funding to tackle food insecurity across the UK \u2013 strategic, systemic approach. ([uk.sodexo.com](https://uk.sodexo.com/newsroom/2026/stop-hunger-announce-new-funding-grants-to-tackle-food-insecurity?utm_source=openai)) | Already announced (April 2026); check live opportunities via the Foundation | Good for food banks wanting sustained funding, especially to build stronger referral & prevention pathways rather than just emergency aid. |\n| **King Charles III Charitable Fund \u2013 Coronation Food Project** | Up to **\u00a325,000**, one-off or over two years. ([supportstaffordshire.org.uk](https://supportstaffordshire.org.uk/coronation-food-project-grants/?utm_source=openai)) | Application windows published on KCCF website \u2013 keep an eye out (last round was Jan 7-21, 2026) ([supportstaffordshire.org.uk](https://supportstaffordshire.org.uk/coronation-food-project-grants/?utm_source=openai)) | Excellent if you want to build or expand projects on food redistribution, tackling food waste, or capacity-building. |\n| **Grocers\u2019 Charity Grant** | Typically up to **\u00a35,000**; occasionally more for high impact. Annual funding pool ~\u00a31 million. ([opportunitiesforyouth.org](https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/04/14/grocers-charity-grant-2026-funding-opportunity-for-uk-charities-supporting-communities-health-and-social-impact/?amp=1&utm_source=openai)) | Closing date: **1 September 2026** ([opportunitiesforyouth.org](https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/04/14/grocers-charity-grant-2026-funding-opportunity-for-uk-charities-supporting-communities-health-and-social-impact/?amp=1&utm_source=openai)) | Great for community food initiatives; supports small charities focusing on relief of hardship, health, wellbeing, inclusion. Works for low-income areas. |\n| **Brighton & Hove \u2013 VCFS Grant Scheme (Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy)** | Up to **\u00a350,000** per organisation; total allocation \u00a3274,609 for 2025-27 period. ([communityworks.org.uk](https://www.communityworks.org.uk/app/uploads/2026/03/VCFS-Grant-Scheme-Prospectus-final.pdf?utm_source=openai)) | Runs 2025-2027; check if new rounds are open (not capital works or major refurbishments) ([communityworks.org.uk](https://www.communityworks.org.uk/app/uploads/2026/03/VCFS-Grant-Scheme-Prospectus-final.pdf?utm_source=openai)) | Relevant if your food bank/store serves people rough sleeping or at risk. Ideal for proof-of-concept or partnership innovation aligned with homelessness strategy. |\n| **Community Catalyst Fund (Brighton & Hove City Council)** | Varies, up to medium-sized grants. Rolling / biannual funding. ([grantmatch.co.uk](https://www.grantmatch.co.uk/grants/community-catalyst-fund?utm_source=openai)) | Always open / regular rounds ([grantmatch.co.uk](https://www.grantmatch.co.uk/grants/community-catalyst-fund?utm_source=openai)) | Good match if your project ties into council priorities: inclusion, health & wellbeing, a city to be proud of. Smaller projects or pilots likely eligible. |\n\n---\n\n## \ud83d\udd0d Less Obvious / Strategic Sources to Monitor\n\n- **National Lottery Community Fund: Climate Action Fund \u2013 Food Systems**  \n  Large grants (\u00a32.5-7 million) over 5-7 years for UK-wide food system change partnerships. ([voda.org.uk](https://voda.org.uk/new-climate-action-fund-opens-to-support-uk-food-systems/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n- **GrantMatch / GrantBridge**  \n  UK-wide databases that regularly list hundreds of live grants; excellent for filtering by project type, scale, or geography. ([grantmatch.co.uk](https://www.grantmatch.co.uk/grants/org-type/charity?utm_source=openai))  \n\n- **Esmee Fairbairn, Tudor Trust, Joseph Rowntree Foundation**  \n  These are slower moving but key funders of innovative food-justice, sustainability, health & poverty work. Esmee in particular is funding sustainable food projects. ([charitygrantwriter.com](https://www.charitygrantwriter.com/blog/uk-charity-grants-2026?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\nIf you'd like, I can pull up a PDF of **5\u201310 grants** *right now*, tailored to the size & nature of your organisation (e.g. whether you\u2019re a small CIC, how much turnover, what communities you serve). Would that be helpful?"
    }
]