We’re not currently open for funding applications

Bristol Redistro supports groups, campaigns and projects set up and led by communities most affected by inequality that are working to create a more just, equal and sustainable world.

We are a wealth redistribution group, raising funds from middle and upper class people, and others who have money to give, to support the work of working class people. We only accept applications from working class people and working class-led groups (e.g. decision-making power in the group is held mostly by working class people). We understand that people will have different definitions of what it is to be working class. Our definition fits lots of people from migrant or diaspora communities and includes experiences such as living in social housing, insecure or bad housing, receiving benefits, regularly worrying about covering basic living costs and not expecting to receive an inheritance (see full criteria below). 

In Bristol, those struggling most with money include single parents, disabled people, trans people, Black people and people living in working class areas such as Hartcliffe and Withywood, Lawrence Hill and Filwood wards. 

Many groups in Bristol, particularly those that are predominantly white and middle class, already have options for accessing income and funding (e.g. family wealth, professional jobs, personal savings, connections to other people with money and the capacity to apply for mainstream grants). Whilst we value the work of these groups, they are not eligible for Redistro funding. 

Bristol Redistro recognises there are issues with the police. Police disproportionately target and harm our most marginalised communities and can make people feel unsafe. Policing needs to change, and this change cannot come from expanding police power, given the institutionalised racism, sexism, homophobia and other issues within all police forces. In addition to this, the historical role of the police has been to protect the class interests of the ruling classes, at the expense of the working class. Bristol Redistro sees the power of communities to solve their own problems rather than calling for the state to do this for us. We understand that some groups may need to work with the police, particularly around safety, but we see this as very different to work that gives more power to the police, such as partnering with them to run events and trainings, encouraging people to report to the police and calling for increased policing powers (for example, longer prison sentences). 

We are keen to support groups that cannot access funds from other funders, such as new and emerging groups that are not formally registered organisations, and those seen as too political or radical for mainstream funders. 

We value groups that are accessible and inclusive, e.g. those that support people to get involved (by meeting their access needs) and support them to be part of the group’s decision-making. 

We will not fund any group whose work directly involves the slaughter of animals.

To apply, you must meet all the following criteria:

To apply you must meet all the following criteria:

1. Working to create a more just, equal and sustainable world. We are keen to support work that is meeting needs directly as well as work aiming to address root causes and create systemic change. 

2. Set up and led by a community most affected by inequality (e.g. women, non-binary, LGBTQ+, working class, disabled, migrant, Black and racially minoritised people). The group/ project must be led by people with first-hand experience of the issue they are working on. 

3. Led by working class people. We will only accept applications from working class people and working class led groups, e.g. where decision-making power in the group is held mostly by people who have been disadvantaged throughout their life due to their class background. We understand that people will have different definitions of what it is to be working class. This definition includes lots of people from migrant or diaspora communities, so if this is you, we don’t want this criteria to deter you from applying. Working class people are likely to have experienced some of the following experiences:

• Living in social housing, insecure or bad housing
• Not owning a property or expecting to in future
• Receiving benefits
• Regularly worrying about covering basic living costs, such as rent, food, heating
• Not expecting to receive an inheritance
• Experience of being homeless, in prison, being in care
• Being a migrant, refugee or asylum seeker
• Being disabled, including ill health and mental health conditions
• Not having been to university or perhaps being the first person in the family to have done so
• Working in low paid sectors e.g. manual labour, care, customer services
• Family not having gone to university, being in low paid work

4. Based within the boundaries of the City of Bristol 

5. If it is a group application, the group must be a non-profit community group with an annual income (e.g. the amount your group has raised through fundraising, grants etc) under £10,000. You don’t have to be formally registered as a charity, Community Interest Company etc. or have a constitution. You could

There are no restrictions on what you use the funds for. We all know how to transform our own situations, and have the right to determine our own futures. 

Previously funded groups can apply again. You may want to give an update on how funds were used in your new application.

How to apply