The Restart Fund – Helping Brighton & Hove’s LGBTQ+ Groups Recover and Rebuild

The Restart Fund is a one-off small grants programme from the Pride Community Foundation (PCF), created to support LGBTQ+ organisations and community groups across Brighton & Hove that have been affected by the failure of the Brighton Rainbow Fund.

Through the Restart Fund, PCF is offering grants of up to £5000 to help local LGBTQ+ groups recover, reconnect, and rebuild after setbacks. This may include restarting activities, covering urgent operational costs, or bridging gaps while organisations get back on their feet.

To be eligible, your organisation must:

1. Serve the LGBTQ+ community in Brighton & Hove or nearby areas.

2. Charities, CICs, and not-for-profit community groups are all welcome.

3. Have a clear link to the Rainbow Fund, such as:

   • An award letter, email, or message confirming a grant.

   • A budget or financial record showing that the funding was expected.

4. Be in financial distress because that grant hasn’t been paid — for example:

   • Difficulty meeting core costs.

   • Reduction or suspension of services.

   • Risk of closure.

Please note that grants made through the Restart Fund are not repayments of any outstanding Rainbow Fund awards. Responsibility for those grants remains with the Rainbow Fund.

Groups can apply for up to £5000 in one-off support. In some exeptional cases, we may consider granting higher amounts of funds. This is designed to provide short-term assistance for those experiencing financial distress due to the current situation.

Funding can be used flexibly to help your organisation stabilise or restart its work, for example:

• Covering essential bills, insurance, or rent

• Supporting the continuation of a vital service

• Purchasing materials or supplies to resume activities

• Marketing or community outreach costs to rebuild engagement

Applications will be reviewed by a special committee comprising a Brighton & Hove Pride representative, a Pride Community Foundation representative and an independent community member. Community Works will assist with the recruitment of this member.

The Advisory & Grants Board, which will make grant decisions in the future, has not been fully established by the time of the start of the Restart Fund.

The Restart Fund Committee, which will assess each request based on:

1. Demonstrated financial distress linked to the Brighton Rainbow Fund situation or related funding gaps

2. The impact on local LGBTQ+ communities

3. The urgency and sustainability of the request

Priority will be given to smaller groups that are most at risk of disruption or closure.

Applications are made online via Microsoft Forms:

👉 Apply for the Restart Fund (link to your Microsoft Form)

If you have questions about eligibility or your application, please contact hello@pridecommunityfoundation.org

Once you submit your form, the PCF team will review it and may contact you for clarification. You’ll receive an outcome within 3–4 weeks of applying.

2025 is a year for the Pride Community Foundation to get on our feet and strengthen local infrastructure. Funds raised this year are helping to stabilise our community and create a fair foundation for a new, sustainable round of grant funding in 2026.

We know this period has been challenging, and we’re grateful for the patience, resilience, and collaboration of our community groups as we rebuild together.