The National Lottery Community Fund

Community Action

Funding for communities in Scotland to run projects that help people connect. We support work that’s open, inclusive and community-led

Who can apply

Constituted voluntary or community organisations, constituted groups or clubs, registered charities, Scottish charitable incorporated organisations (SCIOs), not-for-profit companies, community interest companies (CICs) and community benefit societies, working in Scotland
The organisation should have a clear social purpose that benefits a community, have open membership, and be led by a board or committee mostly made up of people from the community, and these points should be written into its governing document
Organisations that do not meet all of these but feel they represent their community are invited to get in touch
There must be at least 3 unrelated board or committee members (companies, including charitable companies, need 3 unrelated directors)
Two unrelated named people living in the UK, with separate email addresses, must be given
Organisations of all sizes and experience can apply, and no income limit is stated
Those without previous long-term funding (2 years or more) are unlikely to get more than £100,000
Existing Community Led, Improving Lives or Cost of Living Support Scotland grant holders should get in touch about 6 months before their funding ends
Schools, statutory bodies (including community councils), individuals, sole traders and profit-distributing companies cannot apply

New or existing projects in Scotland that bring people together (through an activity or a space, online or in person), reach and support people affected by poverty, disadvantage or discrimination, are led by the community, build on its strengths and fill a gap in local services
Projects must meet at least 2 outcomes: building positive relationships, supporting health or wellbeing, improving access and connection to nature, or making a positive difference to the environment
Examples include regular wellbeing and social activities, community kitchens, larders, pantries, advice or support services, community gardens and growing projects, environmental clean-ups, and waste-reduction or mending and upcycling workshops
Costs include equipment, one-off events, staff, training, transport, utilities, volunteer expenses and a share of overheads (full cost recovery)
Small capital costs of up to £50,000 within the total request are allowed (for example small building repairs, or refurbishing a space for a community kitchen or garden), but not projects that are mainly capital work
Match funding is recommended but not required

Individuals and sole traders
Organisations based outside the UK
Schools
Statutory bodies, including local authorities and community councils
Companies that can pay profits to directors, shareholders or members, such as companies limited by shares
Organisations applying to more than one National Lottery Community Fund programme for the same project over the same period
One organisation applying on behalf of another
Projects that are primarily capital work, and capital costs above £50,000
Retrospective costs
Alcohol
Contingency costs, loans, endowments or interest
Paying someone else to write your application
Profit-making or fundraising activities, and activities that make a profit for private gain
VAT you can reclaim
Religious activities (religious organisations can be funded if the project benefits the wider community and has no religious content)
Statutory activities
Activities that support schoolwork during school time
Overseas travel, and projects that take place outside the UK
Cash payments made directly to individuals

Contact the Scotland team to discuss your idea (advicescotland@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk or 0300 123 7110, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday); nothing needs preparing
A funding officer in your area contacts you within 10 working days and discusses the amount and length of funding; if you are eligible you are sent a link to the online application form
Complete the online form (project and need, outcomes, community involvement, organisation's skills and experience, organisation details, income and expenditure, two named contacts) and upload your accounts and budget
Agree to the standard terms and conditions for funding over £20,000 and submit
The Fund contacts you to talk about the application, asks for more information if needed and carries out checks
If successful, sign and return the funding agreement, send a bank statement from the last 3 months and have an induction call with a funding officer before starting

The full list of application questions can be previewed online. Easy Read, offline and other accessible formats are available on request.

Free help with applications is available from your local authority or Third Sector Interface (TSI).

Have ready

Latest financial accounts (draft accounts if the last accounts are more than 10 months old; 12-month projections if the organisation is under 15 months old)
Proposed budget showing total project costs, the amount requested and a year-by-year breakdown (a template is provided)
Safeguarding policy (if working with children, young people or vulnerable adults)

If you are successful, a bank statement from the last 3 months and a signed funding agreement are needed before the project starts.

Other grants open to organisations like yours.