Now! Sustainable Communities Fund

Throughout our 27-year history, we have worked to build prosperous futures for people and planet, committed to maximising our social, economic and environmental impact. Our Sustainable Communities Fund has been created to redistribute annual profits generated by our Furniture Now! retail sites and support local projects in East Sussex that reflect our ethos and aims, specifically promoting community activities which encourage the circular economy, reuse, recycling and repair.

Aims of the Now! Sustainable Communities Fund

Grants from the Sustainable Communities Fund shall be used to support groups/organisations in East Sussex working to: reduce waste and environmental impact through adopting measures that reuse, recycle and repair products and materials.

Examples of eligible activities for grants include:

Upcycling and recycling projects
Repair and repurposing of products and/or raw materials
Projects which promote and support the sharing of goods/materials
Projects which support the principle of designing out waste
Projects which deliver social outcomes in recycling, repair and reuse schemes, including those that offer training or support for individuals

Any projects which seek to use repair, reuse, recycling or upcycling activities to improve the quality of living for people in their homes are particularly encouraged.

Types of groups/organisations eligible for application

Schools, colleges, universities
Community groups
Voluntary groups
Sports clubs
Charities
CIC’s
Social enterprises

Projects must be delivered in the East Sussex geographical area.

How will the Sustainable Communities Fund be delivered?

The Now! Sustainable Communities Fund shall be delivered through two grant programmes

Large grants

This category is for project applications seeking grant support up to £5,000 and is administered in partnership with the Sussex Community Foundation.

Micro grants

This category is for small project applications seeking grant support up to £500 and coordinated internally by our Community Support team.

How to apply and application deadlines

Large grants programme: funding up to £5,000

Applications should be made via the Sussex Community Foundation general awards application form, accessible via the portal button below. Whilst completing the form, please state ‘Now! Charity Sustainable Communities Fund’ in the project details information section.

Deadline for applications:

Our spring round has just closed, but our autumn round will open shortly.
The deadline for the autumn round will be Friday 8 September 2023 (Decisions November 2023).

Potential applicants must meet eligibility criteria and full guidance notes can be viewed here.

Micro grants programme: funding up to £500

Interested applicants should apply via the designated application form below.

Deadline for applications: