Small Grants

Round 11 of the Foreshore Trust Small & Events Grants will open on Monday 29 June. They will close at midday on Friday 7 August.  

The Foreshore Trust Small & Events Grants Programme supports local organisations in turning their ideas into projects that benefit the town and its community.   

Grants of up to £6,000 are available to fund events, activities, and smaller projects that encourage participation and create a positive impact for local people in Hastings and St Leonards.  

The focus for this round is on community cohesion, equality, and environmental sustainability and projects should address one of the following priorities:    

• The advancement of environmental protection or improvement - Projects that protect nature, improve local green spaces, and encourage sustainable living.
• The advancement of citizenship and community development - Projects that help people become more active in their communities, improve local engagement, and support pathways into employment and volunteering.
• The advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation, or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity - Projects that promote fairness, understanding, and peaceful relationships between different groups in the community.  

Previous grants have helped a wide range of organisations including XTRAX, Spun Glass Theatre, Seaview, Hastings Voluntary Lifeguards, In2Play, Counselling Plus, Hastings Advice and Representation Centre (HARC), A Band of Brothers, Hastings Community Trust Foodbank, Soundcastle, Bags of Taste, Care for Carers, Karmabank and Hastings and Rother Association for the Blind. 

Please note: Applicants who received funding in the previous round (round 10) are not eligible to apply for this round.

Applicant support  

To help give your application the best chance of success, we strongly recommend using HVA for support to develop and strengthen it. It’s a great way to get extra guidance and feel more confident before you apply.  

Contact steve@hastingsvoluntaryaction.org.uk or call 01424 444010.

HVA offers friendly, one-to-one and group support to help applicants think through their funding ideas. 

They can provide useful local information to support an application, such as:  

• who lives in the area (population and demographics)
• levels of need (like health, poverty, or cost of living)
• key issues affecting the community
• gaps in services or unmet demand 

You will also be invited to attend simple, easy-to-follow training to help you write stronger funding bids 

• what funders are looking for and how to match your project to this  
• how to clearly explain your idea, need, and impact  
• useful tips and common mistakes to avoid 

HVA will review your draft application and give clear, practical feedback before you submit it. 

• how clear and easy your application is to understand  
• how well your project and need come across  
• practical suggestions to improve your answers and strengthen your bid before submission.

Find out more on the HVA website.

Meet the funder session

HVA are hosting a “Meet the funder” session to support prospective applicants. This is an opportunity to meet members of the Grant Advisory Panel in person, find out what they are looking for in a strong application, and ask any questions about the process. 

Meet the Funder Session
Monday 20 July, 2 to 3pm at Jackson Hall, Portland Place, Hastings, TN34 1QN.

Book online.

How to apply

Applications need to be made online through the online application form. Applications will close at 12noon on Friday 7 August.

Please note: Applicants who received funding in the previous round (round 10) are not eligible to apply for this round.

Timeline

29 June 2026 – Application window opens 

7 August 2026 – Application window closes 

10 – 31 August 2026 – Grant assessments 

21 September 2026 – Charity Committee approval of Grant Advisory Panel (GAP) recommendations 

25 September 2026 – Notification of outcomes to applicants 

w/c 28 September 2026 – Grant agreements issued and initial payments made