Thriving Together - Fund

Welcome to the Thriving Together Grant Fund

This fund supports collaborative community action across Adur and Worthing. It’s designed for groups and for organisations who want to work together, share strengths and create a bigger impact. This fund helps local groups to make life easier during the cost of living crisis, build connection and belonging across different communities and offer earlier support so problems don’t grow and build community skills across groups

The deadline for applications has passed. We would like to thank everyone who applied and it is great to see the number of applications we received. Next we are reviewing the applications and will announce the successful projects in March.

Thank you to everyone who applied to the Thriving Together Fund. We received a strong response from across Adur and Worthing, with a wide range of thoughtful, community-led ideas. We know applications take time and care, and we really appreciate the effort people put into sharing their projects with us.

What’s happening next

Applications will be reviewed against the criteria:

• A bigger impact because groups are working together
• Stronger, more confident local groups
• Early and preventative support
• Clear, realistic plans and good value
• Something useful that others can adopt or repeat

Funding panels made up of councillors and council staff will review and discuss the applications.

Separate panel sessions will be held for Adur and for Worthing as well as a joint Adur & Worthing panel for joint projects so decisions reflect local priorities.

The panel will agree which projects will receive funding.

When you’ll hear from us

All applicants will be contacted by once the panel process is complete by the start of March, whether or not their project is successful.

Successful projects will then receive clear information about next steps, including grant agreements, timescales and opportunities to come together as a group learning from each other.

We know that not every good idea can be funded. If your project is not successful, you will receive confirmation of the outcome, feedback on the decision, signposting to other funding, support or ways to stay involved in Thriving Together.

Many strong community ideas take more than one route, moment or partner to come to life. We want to explore how we support that longer journey, not just a single funding decision. As part of our commitment in Fair, Green & Local, we are also exploring how we pool community funding over the next year so our investment can have greater impact on the Thriving Together priorities.

💰 £60,000 available in 2025/26: £30k for Adur and £30k for Worthing.

🌟 What this fund is about

This is not a general community grants fund. It is for joint work — work that becomes stronger because people work together. We want to support projects where:

• Two or more groups work together OR one organisation brings together several groups it already supports
• Support becomes easier to find and more joined-up
• Groups build shared strengths, tools or offers
• The impact is greater than anything achievable alone

If teaming up makes your idea more powerful, the fund is for you.

👀 Who could apply?

You could apply if you are:

• A community group, charity, organisation or social enterprise
• Working in Adur or Worthing (or supporting people here)
• Working with at least one other group, or supporting several groups as part of your work
• Helping people with cost-of-living pressures, isolation or early support needs

💷 How much you could apply for

We expect to fund 4–8 projects.

🌼 Testing Together grants (£5,000–£10,000)

Best for:

• Two or more groups joining up their work
• Organisations bringing together several groups they already support
• Shared activities, sessions or support offers
• Building on what already works

🌳 Growing Together grants (£10,000–£15,000)

Best for:

• Partnerships involving several groups or networks
• Organisations who want to bring together groups they already support
• A shared model or coordinated approach
• Work across different ages, identities or neighbourhoods
• Bigger or longer-lasting ideas

🎯 What your project must do

✔ Support at least one goal

• Helping with cost of living pressures
• Building connection and belonging
• Offering early support

✔ Be delivered with others

Show how collaboration — between groups or across the groups you already support — will:

• Reach more or different people
• Improve support
• Fill gaps or avoid duplication
• Strengthen your organisations
• Achieve more than working alone

✔ Leave practical outcomes that others can use

Your project must leave something practical others can use or repeat, such as:

• A shared model of support
• A physical resource (tools, kits, equipment)
• Community/peer to peer resources like bulk-buying, shared space, co-ops or repair/reuse models

It should be real, helpful and easy for others to adapt.

💡 What the fund can pay for

You can use the funding for:

• Activities, events or sessions
• Staff time or volunteer expenses
• Venue hire, insurance or equipment
• Training, shared tools or resources
• Core costs linked to the project

You cannot use it for:

• Political or religious campaigning
• Major building works (over £5,000)
• Projects aimed at making a profit

Key dates:

• Launch: 1 December 2025
• Applications close: 9 January 2026
• Decisions: February 2026
• Funding paid: March 2026
• Projects start: Spring 2026

Drop-in sessions:

A chance to test your idea and ask questions and collect paper forms if you need them. Drops in were advertised on at our events page.

🧑‍⚖️ How decisions will be made

Applications will be assessed against the fund criteria. We will look for:

• A bigger impact because groups are working together
• Stronger, more confident local groups
• Early and preventative support
• Clear, realistic plans and good value
• Something useful that others can adopt or repeat

Applicants will hear back by early March 2026.

📚 Want the detail?

📄 Read the full Thriving Together Grant Fund Guidance

❓ Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)