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Preview the application form questions

  • These are the questions in the PDF application form. Find out how to apply.

Project name

What's the name of your project?

The project name should be simple and to the point.

Project location

Where will your project take place?

If your project covers more than one area please tell us where most of it will take place:

  • Aberdeen City
  • Aberdeenshire
  • Angus
  • Argyll and Bute
  • Clackmannanshire
  • Dumfries and Galloway
  • Dundee
  • East Ayrshire
  • East Dunbartonshire
  • East Lothian
  • East Renfrewshire
  • Edinburgh
  • Falkirk
  • Fife
  • Glasgow
  • Highland
  • Inverclyde
  • Midlothian
  • Moray
  • North Ayrshire
  • North Lanarkshire
  • Orkney Islands
  • Perth and Kinross
  • Renfrewshire
  • Shetland Islands
  • South Ayrshire
  • South Lanarkshire
  • Stirling
  • The Scottish Borders
  • West Dunbartonshire
  • West Lothian
  • Western Isles

Tell us all the locations the project will run in

In your own words, describe all of the locations that you’ll be running your project in. For example, ‘Stirling’ or ‘North Edinburgh’ or ‘Govanhill’.

What is the postcode of where your project will take place?

If your project will take place across different locations, please use the postcode of the building or address where most of the project will take place. You must provide the full postcode.

If you don't know the postcode, use the Royal Mail Postcode Finder to help you find it.

Project length

Tell us the total cost of your project

This is the cost of everything related to your project, even things you're not asking us to fund. For example:

  • If you're asking us for £500,000 and you're getting £100,000 from another funder to cover additional costs, your total project cost is £600,000.
  • If you're asking us for £500,000 and there are no other costs, your total project cost is £500,000.

How much money do you want from us?

We understand that your costs can change. We just need some estimates at this stage. We may ask for a more detailed budget at a later stage.

Project start date

Tell us when you'd like to get the money if you're awarded funding

Don't worry, this can be an estimate. It should be at least 3 months from the date you plan to submit this form. Tell us the date, month and year using numbers. For example, 27 05 2026.

Project duration

How long do you need the money for?

We can fund projects over 5 to 10 years. If your project is not an exact number of years, please round up to the nearest year. For example, if your project lasts 5 years and 6 months, round up to 6 years.

  • 5 years
  • 6 years
  • 7 years
  • 8 years
  • 9 years
  • 10 years

Project development costs (optional)

Tell us the total cost of developing your project

You can apply for extra funding up to £50,000 to help you develop your project. This can help get your project ready for the next application stage. Tell us the cost of everything related to the development of your project, even things you're not asking us to fund.

How much money do you want from us to develop your project?

We understand that your costs can change. We just need some estimates at this stage. We may ask for a more detailed budget at a later stage.

How will you use the money to develop your project?

You can write a maximum of 1,000 words for this section.

List the costs you would like us to fund

Tell us the costs of everything related to the development of your project, even things you’re not asking us to fund. You should use budget headings, rather than a detailed list of items.

Your idea

How will your project help reduce health inequalities by working towards systems change?

In your answer, explain how your project will do at least one of the following:

  • support carers during changes in their role
  • make it easier to identify and support carers
  • improve support for carers who face extra barriers
  • change how care is understood and valued

You can write a maximum of 1,000 words for this section, but do not worry if you use fewer.

How will you use learning and evidence to inform your project?

Tell us how:

  • you’ve used evidence to come up with your project idea – like research or consultations
  • you plan to test new ideas or ways of working
  • you’ll use what you learn to inform and develop your project
  • your project will reduce health inequalities, and what evidence you will use to show this
  • you’ll use what you learn to influence changes after the project ends

You can write a maximum of 1,000 words for this section, but do not worry if you use fewer.

How will you deliver your project?

Tell us about your partnership. We want to know:

  • who you plan to work with
  • how you’ll work with them
  • about the skills and experience you have to run this project
  • how you’ll ensure equitable access to project funding and resources
  • how you’ll consider capacity building and good governance – for example, you may have a partnership agreement

You can write a maximum of 1,000 words for this section, but do not worry if you use fewer.

How will you involve people with experience of unpaid care?

Tell us:

  • who you’ll involve
  • how they’ll influence the project
  • how you’ll help unpaid carers have control over the decisions that affect their health and wellbeing
  • how you will compensate carers fairly for their time and experience, and make it easier for them to take part
  • how they’ll continue to influence system change after the project ends

You can write a maximum of 1,000 words for this section, but do not worry if you use fewer.

Extra details about your project

The following questions help us understand the positive impact your project seeks to make in your community.

Which one category best describes your project?

  • My project brings people together and encourages social connections
  • My project helps children or young people thrive
  • My project supports people of all ages to live healthier lives
  • My project supports communities to be environmentally sustainable
  • Other, I want to describe a different category for my project

If you selected “other,” describe the different category you’d put your project in.

What other categories could describe your project? (optional)

You can select more than one option. If your project doesn't fit into any more categories, move on to the next section.

  • My project brings people together and encourages social connections
  • My project helps children or young people thrive
  • My project supports people of all ages to live healthier lives
  • My project supports communities to be environmentally sustainable

If you selected 'my project brings people together and encourages social connections'

Which one sub-category best describes what your project will do?

  • My project provides or improves places for people to come together (this includes meeting online or in person)
  • My project delivers activities or events (this includes meeting online or in person)
  • My project enables people to make a positive difference to their community
  • My project gives people a sense of safety, belonging and trust
  • My project improves connections and relationships with others
  • My project connects children or young people with trusted adults
  • My project improves people’s wellbeing, physical health or mental health
  • My project improves access to nature for people
  • These options are not relevant to my project

You can select more sub-categories in the next question.

What other sub-categories are relevant to your project?

You can select more than one option. If it does not fit into any more categories, move on to 'Your organisation'.

  • My project provides or improves places for people to come together (this includes meeting online or in person)
  • My project delivers activities or events (this includes meeting online or in person)
  • My project enables people to make a positive difference to their community
  • My project gives people a sense of safety, belonging and trust
  • My project improves connections and relationships with others
  • My project connects children or young people with trusted adults
  • My project improves people’s wellbeing, physical health or mental health
  • My project improves access to nature for people
  • These options are not relevant to my project

Your organisation

We’ll ask you about your organisation to understand its structure and legal details.

What is the full legal name of your organisation?

This must match your governing document, which could be a constitution, trust deed, memorandum and articles of association, or other official document. You might find it on a registration website such as Companies House or a Charities Register.

Does your organisation use a different name in your day-to-day work?

What is your organisation's address?

Please provide the full address, including postcode.

When was your organisation set up?

Give the date your organisation took on its current legal status (approximate date is fine if unsure). Use numbers for day, month, and year, for example, 22 01 2023.

Tell us your organisation type

  • Unregistered voluntary or community organisation – set up with a governing document, not a registered charity or company
  • Not-for-profit company – company limited by guarantee registered with Companies House or as a charity
  • Registered charity (unincorporated) – voluntary or community organisation registered as a charity, not a company
  • Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO or SCIO) – registered charity, not a company
  • Community Interest Company (CIC) – company registered with Companies House and CIC Regulator
  • Statutory body – public body such as a local authority or parish council

If your organisation is both a company and a charity, it’s considered a Not-for-profit company.

If you’re a statutory body, tell us what type

  • Local Authority
  • NHS Trust/Health Authority
  • Parish Council
  • Town Council
  • Prison Service
  • Fire Service
  • Police Authority

Tell us your registration number (Charity, Companies House, Department for Education, or “Unregistered” if none).

Only provide the registration number relevant to your organisation type.

What is your accounting year end date?

Give the date and month using numbers, e.g., 31 03.

What is your total income for the year?

Use whole numbers only, e.g., 12000.

Senior contact

You need to give the contact details of a senior member of your organisation. Your senior contact must be at least 18, live in the UK, be legally responsible for the application, responsible for ensuring funding is used appropriately, aware they’ll need an identity check (not a credit check). Read more about identity checks.

Provide the following details:

  • Role of senior contact – examples: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Trustee, Company Director, Company Secretary, Other
  • Name (first and last, no middle names)
  • Date of birth – must be at least 18. Format: DD MM YYYY
  • Home address – include postcode
  • Have they lived at this address for the last three years? Yes / No
  • If no, previous address – include postcode
  • Email and phone number
  • Additional communication needs (optional)

Main contact

Provide details of someone we can contact if we have questions. Usually the person filling in the form. Must be at least 16, live in the UK, and from the organisation. Must be different from senior contact and not related by marriage, civil partnership, long-term relationship, blood, or living together.

Provide the following details:

  • Name (first and last, no middle names)
  • Date of birth – must be at least 16. Format: DD MM YYYY
  • Home address – include postcode
  • Have they lived at this address for the last three years? Yes / No
  • If no, previous address – include postcode
  • Email and phone number
  • Additional communication needs (optional)

Supporting documents

You should send your latest financial accounts and proposed budget.

Financial accounts

If your organisation is new (less than 15 months old), it’s okay if you don’t have yearly accounts. If accounts are older than 10 months, send draft accounts.

Proposed budget

Include:

  • the total costs of your project
  • how much money you’re asking for
  • a breakdown of costs for each year of the project

Declaration

Read and understand the section before ticking boxes.

Data protection

The National Lottery Community Fund uses personal data to help you apply and manage grants. Data may be shared with organisations supporting our grant-making activities. Read the full data protection notice.

Freedom of information

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 allows members of the public to request information we hold. Some information may be exempt from release.

Working with children, young people, and vulnerable adults

Ensure safety and wellbeing by having clear policies, procedures, training, and designated safeguarding leads. For guidance, visit SCVO website. Follow our safeguarding expectations.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) monitoring information

EDI stands for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Equity is about fairness; diversity is about including various differences; inclusion is about making people feel valued.

Diversity examples: race, faith, sexual orientation, disability, age, gender.

Information in this section helps us understand who our funding reaches and is not used to decide grants.

Information about the people and communities you support

Is your project aimed at a specific group or open to everyone?

  • My project is aimed at a specific group of people
  • My project is open to everyone

Who is your project for? (If you select “yes” for a group, provide more details)

  • Communities experiencing ethnic or racial inequity, discrimination or inequality
  • Faith communities
  • People who emigrate
  • People with disabilities
  • Older people (65 and over)
  • Younger people (under 25)
  • Women and girls
  • LGBTQ+ people
  • People who are educationally or economically disadvantaged
  • Specific groups not included above
  • No 
  • Prefer not to say

Information about the leadership of your organisation

These optional questions help us understand your organisation's leadership diversity. Your answers will not influence the funding decision.

Do most of your leadership team belong to a specific group? Options:

  • Yes – at least 75% of board/committee and 50% of senior staff share characteristics
  • No
  • Prefer not to say

If yes, indicate which groups and provide further details (ethnic, faith, disabled, age, LGBTQ+, etc.).