The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) receives half of the money raised for good causes from the sale of
National Lottery tickets. It is a significant source of funding for the voluntary and
community sector and seeks to make a real difference to communities and to the lives of those most in need.
Please be aware that Big Lottery Fund programmes are very popular and competition for
funding can be intense. The rewards can be great, but applications will need to show
evidence of need and have clear outcomes (the difference your project will make).
We advise anyone considering an application to take advice from a local CVS funding
advisor or from the Big Lottery people themselves, who will try hard to help.
Following a national consultation during winter 2008/2009, BIG launched it’s new
Funding Framework in June 2009 and expects to announce a number of new programmes
in early 2010. Current open programmes are shown below, but it is always worth checking
the BIG website (www.biglotteryfund.org.uk) for any changes or additions. You can also
sign-up for a regular updates from the BIG regional team at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/ebulletin-uk.htm.
- Awards for All
Awards for All is the Big Lottery Fund’s small grants programme, which aims to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need.
Grants of between £300 and £10,000 are available to voluntary and community organisations, schools, parish or town councils and health bodies to fund projects that meet one or more of the following outcomes:
- People having better chances in life - Stronger communities - Improved rural and urban environments - Healthier and more active people and communities
- Reaching Communities
Reaching Communities funds larger grants of between £10,000 and £500,000 (including a maximum of £50,000 for capital grants). It seeks to help those most in need, especially people or groups who are hard to reach.
This programme will fund projects for up to five years and is open to registered charities, voluntary and community groups, statutory bodies including schools, charitable or not for profit companies and social enterprises.
As with Awards for All, projects must meet one or more of the following outcomes:
- People having better chances in life - Stronger communities - Improved rural and urban environments - Healthier and more active people and communities
There is a two-stage application process. You will firstly be asked to submit and outline proposal form giving an outline of the project. If BIG feel that this is something that meets the programme criteria then you will be invited to submit a more detailed full application.
- Changing Places
The Changing Spaces programme is investing around £200 million in environmental projects across England, including schemes to improve green spaces, grow local food and help community groups reduce the amount of energy they use.
BIG is working with five organisations that have the skills and experience to deliver these programmes on its behalf. Each organisation is running an England-wide open grants programme and more information and eligibility criteria are available from the following websites:
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For further information on Big Lottery funds call the
Big Lottery advice line on 0845 4102030 or visit
www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
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