A quick way to apply for smaller amounts of funding between £300 and £10,000.
For now we’re focusingon funding projects and organisations helping communities through the COVID-19 pandemic We ask organisations who aren't looking for COVID-19 related funding in England to not submit an application at this time. All our resources need to be focused on helping communities through the pandemic.
We are reviewing the situation on an on-going basis and will share any updates or developments on our website.
Learn about applying for National LotteryCOVID-19 funding in England
We'll focus on organisations supporting people and communities who experience disproportionate challenge and difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
This category includes, for instance, organisations supporting older people; disabled people (including people with long-term health conditions); lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer + (LGBTQ+) communities and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities; all of whom are facing specific challenges during the current crisis. It also includes organisations who provide advice and support to those pushed in crisis as a result of the pandemic and those organisations supporting people and their families with end-of-life care.
For now we’re focusingon funding projects and organisations helping communities through the COVID-19 pandemic We ask organisations who aren't looking for COVID-19 related funding in England to not submit an application at this time. All our resources need to be focused on helping communities through the pandemic.
We are reviewing the situation on an on-going basis and will share any updates or developments on our website.
Learn about applying for National LotteryCOVID-19 funding in England
We'll focus on organisations supporting people and communities who experience disproportionate challenge and difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
This category includes, for instance, organisations supporting older people; disabled people (including people with long-term health conditions); lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer + (LGBTQ+) communities and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities; all of whom are facing specific challenges during the current crisis. It also includes organisations who provide advice and support to those pushed in crisis as a result of the pandemic and those organisations supporting people and their families with end-of-life care.
We are also working with specialist partners to reach specific groups as quickly as we can.
Beyond the emergency response, National Lottery funding to support communities in England will be available, and we’ll keep you updated on our funding as it develops.
not-for-profit company or Community Interest Company
school (as long as your project benefits and involves the communities around the school)
statutory body (including town, parish and community council).
If you’re a smaller organisation
We’re keen to fund smaller organisations too. So we’ll look at your income when we’re making a decision.
Who we can’t accept applications from:
individuals
sole traders
Companies that can pay profits to directors, shareholders or members (including Companies Limited by Shares)
organisations based outside the UK
organisations that have already sent a National Lottery Awards for All application and are waiting for a decision
organisations that currently have National Lottery Awards for All funding - we can only fund your organisation for a maximum of £10,000 within a 12 month period. And you can only hold one grant, for each different country in the UK, at a time. If you want to apply for a new grant - you’ll need to wait until your last grant with us is coming to an end
organisations that don't have at least two people on their board or committee who aren't married, in a long-term relationship, living together at the same address, or related by blood
one organisation applying on behalf of another. Be careful of businesses or consultants who say they can support you with your funding applications. They might even say they’re acting on the Fund’s behalf, or they’re a preferred supplier of the Fund. They could even offer to write an application for you. We wouldn’t accept applications from these types of businesses or consultants. But you can get support and advice on writing your application from your local CVS (your local council for voluntary services).
If you’re a school or an organisation working in a school
Make sure your project strengthens the community outside of the school too. So it should benefit, and involve, more than just teachers, pupils, and parents of pupils.
The kinds of school projects we don’t usually fund:
projects to improve school facilities or equipment
projects to help with staff training
projects that are part of the school curriculum
projects that involve activities the school should already be providing (like a project teaching literacy during school hours)
projects that take place during teaching times (lunch breaks, or before and after school might be okay).
An example of the sort of school project we could fund
Things that would be seen as extras to the schools normal curriculum activities.
A good application should do at least one of these three things:
bring people together and build strong relationships in and across communities
improve the places and spaces that matter to communities
help more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage.
Your project also has toinvolve your community
We believe that people understand what's needed in their communities better than anyone. So it’s important to us that you involve your community in the design, development and delivery of the activities you’re planning.
This short video explains it well. It might be helpful when you’re putting your application together.
If your project focuses on sports, arts or heritage
We’ve made a few changes around how we fund sports, arts and heritage projects. We’re looking for projects where the main aim is to strengthen your community in some way.
What we mean by strengthening your community
We know most sports, arts and heritage projects are good for communities generally. But we’re looking for projects that do a little more.
An example of the kind of sports project we might fund
Let’s think about a football group for young people. Football is good exercise, so it promotes health (which is great). But we’re looking at how that activity strengthens the other people in the community too.
Maybe it helps the community with social isolation. Or the project might aim to move young people away from anti-social behaviour.
We're looking to fund COVID-19 projects and will prioritise:
Organisations supporting people who are at high risk from COVID-19
Organisations supporting people most likely to face increased demand and challenges as a result of the COVID-19 crisis
Organisations which connect communities and support communities to work together to respond to COVID-19.
Your project also has to involve your community
We believe that people understand what's needed in their communities better than anyone. So it’s important to us that you involve your community in the design, development and delivery of the activities you’re planning.
This short video explains it well. It might be helpful when you’re putting your application together.
If your project focuses on sports, arts or heritage
We’ve made a few changes around how we fund sports, arts and heritage projects. We’re looking for projects where the main aim is to strengthen your community in some way.
What we mean by strengthening your community
We know most sports, arts and heritage projects are good for communities generally. But we’re looking for projects that do a little more.
An example of the kind of sports project we might fund
Let’s think about a football group for young people. Football is good exercise, so it promotes health (which is great). But we’re looking at how that activity strengthens the other people in the community too.
Maybe it helps the community with social isolation. Or the project might aim to move young people away from anti-social behaviour.
This list doesn't include everything. So, if you're not sure, contact us.
We can fund:
equipment
one-off events
small land or building projects (but make sure you own the land or building, have a lease that can't be ended for five years, have a letter from the owner saying the land or building will be leased to you for at least five years, or an official letter from the owner or landlord that says you're allowed to do work on the building) - you should also think about getting planning permission for the work too
