National Lottery Awards for All

Objectives of Fund

National Lottery Awards for All is a small grants programme provided by the National Lottery Community Fund.

The funding is intended for projects that support communities to thrive by:

• Building strong relationships in and across communities.
• Improving the places and spaces that matter to communities.
• Helping more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage.
• Supporting people, communities and organisations that are facing increased demands and challenges as a direct result of the cost-of-living crisis.

May 2023 update:

Though it is too late to apply for funding in time for Windrush Day itself, groups can still apply for funding to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Windrush throughout the year if the project meets the Community Fund guidelines. Applications must be submitted at least 12 weeks before the project is due to commence.

Value Notes

Grants of between £300 and £10,000 are available for up to one year.

Organisations can receive funding of a maximum of £10,000 within a 12-month period.

Match Funding Restrictions

Grants can be used to pay for some or all of the project costs.

Who Can Apply

Applications are accepted from:

• Voluntary and community organisations.
• Constituted groups and clubs.
• Registered charities.
• Charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs).
• Not-for-profit companies.
• Community interest companies (CICs).
• Schools (for projects that benefit and involve the communities around the school).
• Statutory bodies (including local authorities, town, parish and community council).
• Community benefit societies.

To be eligible for funding applicants must have:

• Two unconnected people on the board or committee.
• A UK bank account in the name of their organisation.
• Annual accounts (unless the organisation is less than 15 months old).

The National Lottery Community Fund prioritises groups with smaller incomes; due to high demand, organisations that have a large annual income might not be able to get funding.

Restrictions

The following are not eligible for funding:

• Individuals.
• Sole traders.
• Organisations based outside the UK.
• One organisation on behalf of another.
• Companies that can pay profits to directors, shareholders or members (including Companies limited by shares).
• Organisations that currently have National Lottery Awards for All funding or have already applied and are awaiting a decision.
• Certain types of projects run by schools/organisations working in a school (those that only benefit teachers, pupils and parents of pupils and do not also strengthen the community outside of the school):
  • 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 eligible).
• Alcohol.
• Contingency costs, loans, endowments or interest.
• Paying someone else to write an application.
• Profit making/fundraising activities.
• Recoverable VAT.
• Political or religious activities.
• Statutory activities.
• Activities that improve educational attainment (PHSE, STEM, English, Maths).
• Overseas travel.

Eligible Expenditure

To be eligible for funding projects should:

• Involve people and communities from the start.
• Build on people's strengths.
• Be connected in their community.

The grants can be used for the following costs:

• The organisation's running costs.
• Small land or refurbishment projects (relevant permissions need to be in place).
• Equipment.
• One-off events.
• Staff costs.
• Training costs.
• Transport.
• Utilities.
• Volunteer expenses.

How To Apply

Applications may be submitted at any time.

For groups wishing to apply for funding to commemorate Windrush 75, there will be online application clinics on the following days:

• 12 June 2023
• 26 June 2023.

A link to sign up for the clinics can be found on the NLCF website.

There is high demand for funding and the funding teams will assess applications in the order they are received. They aim to communicate their decisions with the applicants as soon as possible. However, due to a high volume of applications, decisions are taking longer than usual, and should be expected within 16 weeks.

The online application form can be found on the National Lottery Community Fund Website.