Brighton's largest private sector employer has become the first company to offer charitable grants through the new Sussex Community Foundation.

American Express (Amex), the financial services giant based in Edward Street, is donating thousands of pounds to four community groups.

One project it is supporting is a scheme run by the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) in Burgess Hill, which helps young people to manage their money.

Janice Thomas, from Burgess Hill CAB, said ready access to credit cards and borrowing meant it was easy for some youngsters to slip into debt.

She said: "Our aim is to help them manage money more wisely and this grant means we can extend that help to many more people."

Another project Amex is helping is Safety Net, a Brighton and Hove charity that helps young people protect themselves from bullying and abuse.

The two other beneficiaries are a play scheme for children with special needs and a parent and children's group which organises summer outings.

The Sussex Community Foundation, headed by the Duke of Richmond, was launched in March to promote philanthropy. In its first year it expects to make grants of more than £100,000.

Its ambition is to distribute £1.5 million a year to good causes by 2010.

Amex, which employs 3,000 people in Brighton, has become the first company to award grants through the foundation.

Laurel Powers-Freeling, head of UK consumer and small business services at Amex, said: "We are delighted to be working with Sussex Community Foundation to ensure our financial support gets to those charities that can really make a difference to local needs.

"We hope that other people and companies will join us in supporting this venture."

Sussex Community Foundation's chief executive Kevin Richmond said: "We are very grateful to American Express for its generosity and support.

"We hope others will follow their lead and help grow the investment available to help local communities."