National Lottery Community Fund

The National Lottery Community Fund, legally the Big Lottery Fund, is the UK's largest community funder, established in 2004 as a non-departmental public body to distribute National Lottery proceeds. Its core mission is to strengthen society and improve lives by supporting resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable communities, guided by a 2023–2030 strategy emphasizing equity, inclusion, and regional responsiveness through boards for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Core values—inclusive, ambitious, impact-focused, adaptable, and compassionate—drive a community-led approach prioritizing those most in need.

It funds a broad spectrum of initiatives UK-wide, including small-scale projects via Awards for All (e.g., equipment, staffing, training, volunteer costs, community improvements), core and unrestricted running costs, capital grants, and larger strategic efforts like the Climate Action Fund for partnerships tackling environmental challenges, capacity building, and campaigns. Priorities encompass resilient communities, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and support for people facing hardship, with no religious restrictions.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, CICs, community groups, social enterprises, voluntary organizations, schools, and academic institutions, with a preference for grassroots and smaller-income groups (no strict min/max, though strategic funds suit larger partnerships). Applications are unsolicited via online forms, accepted on a rolling basis for most small grants (decisions in ~16 weeks) or with deadlines like 17 December 2025 for Awards for All England/Environment and Climate Action Fund (~26 weeks). Grants range from £300–£20,000 (Awards for All, 1–2 years) to £500,000–£5 million (strategic, 3–5 years).

Distinctively Lottery-funded and adaptable to regional needs, it avoids statutory services or non-community benefits, standing out for its scale, flexibility, and emphasis on measurable, compassionate impact without geographic sub-restrictions within the UK.