National Lottery Community Fund Application Guide

Organisation requirements:

• Constituted group with a bank account
• Not-for-profit (charities, CICs, CIOs, community groups)
• Based in UK (England, Scotland, Wales, or NI have separate programmes)
• Evidence of good governance

Project requirements:

• Clear community benefit
• Involves the community in design
• Not replacing statutory services
• Not for capital-only projects (some exceptions)

1. People with connections:

• Strong relationships and networks, reduced loneliness, increased belonging

2. People with opportunities:

• Improved skills, confidence, and capabilities to achieve goals

3. People with power:

• Influence in communities, voice heard in decisions, systems change

Tip: Don't force-fit your project—be honest about which outcome you're primarily addressing.

Evidence of community involvement:

• Consultation surveys or focus groups
• Quotes from potential beneficiaries
• Involvement of lived experience in planning
• Community steering group or advisory panel
• Data on local need

Common mistake: Designing a project you think is needed rather than asking the community what they need.

What you can include:

• Staff costs (reasonable salaries, NI, pension)
• Activity costs and materials
• Volunteer expenses
• Training and development
• Overheads/core costs (typically 10-15%)
• Small capital items (equipment, furniture)
• Evaluation costs

What you cannot include:

• Retrospective costs
• Deficit funding
• Endowments or reserves
• Political or religious activities
• Statutory service replacement

Key sections to nail:

• **Need:** Quantify the problem with data and community voice
• **Approach:** Explain why your solution will work
• **Organisation:** Prove you can deliver
• **Outcomes:** Be specific about what will change
• **Learning:** Show how you'll adapt and share learning

Writing tips:

• Use plain English, avoid jargon
• Include beneficiary quotes
• Quantify where possible
• Be honest about challenges
• Stay within word limits

Required documents:

• Constitution or governing document
• Recent bank statement (last 3 months)
• Accounts (latest annual accounts or 12-month forecast)
• Safeguarding policy
• Equality and diversity policy

For Reaching Communities (additional):

• Business plan or strategic plan
• Insurance certificates
• References from partners

Assessment process:

• 1. Initial eligibility check
• 2. Full assessment by funding officer
• 3. Possible phone call for clarification
• 4. Committee decision (Reaching Communities)
• 5. Outcome notification

If asked for more information:

• Respond promptly (usually 2-week deadline)
• Be specific and concise
• Provide evidence where possible
• Ask if you're unsure what they need