The National Lottery Community Fund

People and Places

The National Lottery Community Fund's main programme in Wales funds community-led projects that involve local people in their design and delivery, build on community strengths, fill a local gap and meet at least one of the Fund's four missions (communities coming together, children and young people thriving, healthier lives, environmental sustainability). Medium grants are £20,001-£150,000 (one-stage, about 15 weeks, including up to £50,000 to plan a capital project); large grants are £150,001-£700,000 (two-stage, at least 40 weeks); both fund projects of up to 5 years, including capital costs. At least 80% of beneficiaries must live in Wales, all projects must be delivered bilingually, and applicants start with an informal chat with the Fund.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: £20,001 – £700,000; no fixed round
Deadline: Rolling; apply any time
Effort: Moderate; full application with documents

Who can apply

Constituted voluntary or community organisations, constituted groups or clubs, registered charities, not-for-profit companies, community interest companies, social enterprises, schools (only if the project involves and benefits the communities around the school and is outside statutory provision) and statutory bodies (including local authorities, health boards, and town, parish or community councils)
Partnerships can apply; every partner receiving funding must be one of these types
At least 80% of the people who benefit must live in Wales
You need at least 3 unrelated board or committee members (companies, including charitable companies, need at least 3 unrelated directors)
You must give 2 unrelated named contacts who live in the UK with different email addresses (one a senior person legally responsible for the grant)
Organisations running for less than 15 months must supply 12-month projections
A safeguarding policy is required if the project involves children, young people or vulnerable adults
For land or building work you must own it or have (or be promised) a lease of 5 years or more plus the owner's written permission

What it funds

Projects of up to 5 years that work closely with people and communities in Wales (communities of place, identity, interest or experience) and meet at least one mission: helping communities come together, helping children and young people thrive, enabling people to live healthier lives, or being environmentally sustainable. Projects must involve the community in planning and running the project, build on its strengths, show how they fill a local gap and consider their environmental impact.

New or existing activities
Helping an organisation adapt to change or challenges
Capital costs (land, buildings, vehicles, refurbishments
Capital projects should be at RIBA Plan of Work stage 4 or higher)
Medium grants can also give up to £50,000 to plan a capital project up to RIBA stage 4

Eligible costs include a share of overheads (full cost recovery), equipment, one-off events, staff salaries, training, transport, utility bills, volunteer expenses, accessibility costs and bilingual/translation costs.

Some non-party-political campaigning can be funded.

What it will not fund

Retrospective costs (things that have already happened or been paid for)
Alcohol
Contingency costs, loans, endowments or interest
Application-writing services or consultants
Activities that make a private profit or raise money for fundraising
VAT you can reclaim
Religious activity (religious organisations can be funded if the project benefits the wider community and has no religious content)
Statutory duties or activities
Activities that support schoolwork during school hours
Travel outside the UK, or projects that happen outside the UK
Giving cash directly to individuals
Projects whose main purpose is political activity, or party-political activity
Applications from individuals, sole traders, organisations based outside the UK, or companies that can pay profits to directors, shareholders or members (including companies limited by shares)
Applying to more than one of the Fund's programmes for the same project at the same time
Applications written by a private business or consultant

How to apply

Read the programme guidance (who can apply, what we want to fund, what you can spend the money on)
Arrange an informal chat about your idea by emailing peopleandplaces@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk or calling 0300 123 0735 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm); a local funding officer contacts you within 5 working days
If eligible, the Fund sends you a link to the online application form (medium grants) or a short idea form (large grants, stage 1)
Complete and submit the form, including organisation details, most recent accounts, two named contacts and any capital or vehicle supporting documents, and agree to the terms and conditions
Large grants only: if invited after the idea stage (within 6 weeks), submit the detailed full application
The Fund assesses the application and carries out checks; if successful a funding officer contacts you within 2 weeks to agree the contract, start date and payments
Start the project within 6 months of the offer email

Easy Read and PDF versions of the forms are available for applicants with communication support needs.

Free help is available from trusted support organisations such as your local authority or County Voluntary Council; applications written by paid consultants are not accepted.

Have ready

Most recent accounts (or 12-month projections if your organisation is under 15 months old)
Registration numbers (e.g. charity or company number) and details of 2 named contacts
Completed guidance and checklist for capital projects (if applying for land, building or refurbishment costs)
Lease of 5+ years (or letter confirming one) and owner's written permission, if you do not own the land or building
For vehicles: an options appraisal, vehicle specification, budget for the full funding period and 3 quotes

The Fund may ask for your equalities policy, and for drawings, consents or surveys on capital projects. A safeguarding policy is required where the project involves children, young people or vulnerable adults.

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