Helen Oparinde, NCVS Group Support Coordinator takes time out to chat with local representatives from The National Lottery Community Fund and shares with us advice on applying for funds in the coming months.
What's changing with the National Lottery Community Fund?
The National Lottery Community Fund (TNL), legally named the Big Lottery Fund, awards money raised by National Lottery players to fund great ideas that help communities to thrive.
Their vision for funding in England explains that they are making changes across all their funding in England from spring 2025. They are already starting to make some changes to their Reaching Communities funding and partnership funding to fit their new strategy. Where possible, they strongly recommend that you do not apply to either of these funds until they launch their new criteria in Spring 2025.
While its Reaching Communities and Partnerships grants programme is not closed, in the interim, they will:
- Start to prioritise projects that fit best with their vision for funding in England.
- Have a high demand, meaning you’ve a lower chance of getting funding.
- Likely take around 16 weeks to tell you about their initial decision after you apply.
- Not be able to have a feedback call with most unsuccessful applicants.
- Advise you not to apply again for the same project if you’ve been unsuccessful.
Instead of applying now, you can use the time up to spring to gain a good understanding of their Missions Framework.
And their equity-based approach to tackling inequality. They will be shifting their funding over time to invest most in places, people, and communities in England who experience poverty, disadvantage, and discrimination.
Their Awards For All funding is also remaining open, but they are advising groups that they are getting more applications than usual, so it's currently taking up to 16 weeks to get a decision from them. Before then you cannot spend any of the money or run the activities you need funding for.
We will keep you informed when the national lottery offers any local sessions to discuss the new approach in more detail. But it is likely that it won’t be until Spring.
In the meantime,
Alternative funding:
Maybe it’s time to review your organisation’s fundraising strategy and consider other avenues for income generation.
The Chartered Institute of Fundraising
The membership body for UK fundraising, has a great resource called How to Develop a Fundraising Strategy with a Template Guidance.
The institute explains that 'a strong fundraising strategy provides focus, direction, and a clear plan of action. It helps small charities prioritise efforts, allocate resources effectively, and measure progress. Ultimately, having a well-crafted strategy ensures that you can secure the vital funds needed to make a lasting difference in the community you serve.' Within the How to Get Started section, one step suggests researching potential funders: identify potential donors, foundations, and grants that align with your charity's mission and goals.
Grant Finder
One way of doing this is to use your local library to obtain a free funding search using a funding database called Grant Finder.
The Nottinghamshire BIPC operates through both the city libraries and Inspire (county libraries). As part of the process, they usually arrange an initial one-to-one session. During this consultation, they conduct a detailed Grant Finder search based on the client’s specific needs. After the search, they generate a comprehensive report that includes funding details, eligibility criteria, and key contact information. This report is then emailed to the client.
Nottinghamshire Community Foundation
Local funders websites are also worth scanning for funding opportunities.
The Nottinghamshire Community Foundation (NCF) is a local registered charity and represents a community of countywide donors, for which they perform two main functions: donor services and grant making.
One fund they manage is the J. N. Derbyshire Trust fund, which supports people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire by making grants to community and voluntary groups that work to improve their communities.
Grants are available for project costs under any of the following themes:
- Promotion of health
- Development of physical improvement
- Advancement of education
- Relief of poverty, distress, and sickness
There are currently two review meetings per year for all applications, which usually take place in March and October. The deadlines for submission of the application form for these meetings are 31 January and 31 August, respectively. The eligibility and application process can be found here.
Quite often funders restrict their funding to incorporated registered charities or social enterprise companies.
But that isn’t always the case. Just make sure you review the criteria before starting an application.
NCVS can help
If you would like to receive support for any aspect of strengthening your charity, contact the team at NCVS, and we will see how we can help. Support includes reviewing your structure, making decisions on which fund to apply for, read and review of a funding application, or writing a fund-raising strategy etc.
For up to date funding, have a look at the funding section on our News and Events page.
Helen welcomes any comments about this blog, contact Helen direct by email at heleno@nottinghamcvs.co.uk.
