Applications open for National Lottery Grants for All Scotland (UK) – fundsforNGOs

The National Lottery Grants for All Scotland programme provides funding for community-led projects that bring people together, strengthen local communities, and improve health and wellbeing across Scotland. Eligible applicants can request £300 to £20,000 for community projects lasting up to two years, while eligible arts and sports projects can receive up to £10,000 for activities lasting up to 12 months.

What Is National Lottery Grants for All Scotland?

National Lottery Grants for All Scotland supports community-led activities that respond to local needs and create positive social change.

The programme can support both new activities and existing activities, as well as projects that help organisations adapt to changing circumstances.

The fund aims to help communities:

• Build stronger relationships.
• Increase social connection.
• Improve health and wellbeing.
• Respond to the cost-of-living crisis.
• Develop community activities.
• Improve important community spaces.
• Help people reach their potential.
• Respond to emerging community challenges.

How Much Funding Is Available?

Funding depends on the type of project.

Community-Led Projects

Community-led projects can apply for:

• Minimum grant: £300.
• Maximum grant: £20,000.
• Maximum project period: Two years.

Arts and Sports Projects

Projects specifically focused on arts or sports can apply for:

• Maximum grant: £10,000.
• Maximum project period: 12 months.

Applicants should ensure that the requested amount and project duration are appropriate for the proposed activities.

What Does the Fund Support?

The programme supports a wide range of community-focused activities.

Starting New Activities

Funding can help organisations establish new activities that respond to identified community needs.

Examples may include:

• Community groups.
• Social activities.
• Wellbeing initiatives.
• Local support programmes.
• Community participation activities.

Continuing Existing Activities

The fund can also support organisations that want to continue useful community activities.

Applicants should demonstrate why the activity remains important and how funding will help maintain or improve its community benefit.

Helping Organisations Adapt

Funding can support organisations responding to new challenges or changing community circumstances.

This could include adapting activities, changing delivery methods, or developing new approaches to meet community needs.

One-Off Events

The programme can support suitable one-off community events where they contribute to the fund’s objectives.

Events should demonstrate clear community benefit rather than being purely recreational or organisational activities.

Building Stronger Relationships

Projects can help people develop stronger relationships within communities and between different groups.

Activities may aim to:

• Reduce social isolation.
• Encourage participation.
• Bring different groups together.
• Strengthen local networks.
• Improve community cohesion.

Improving Community Places and Spaces

Funding can support activities that improve important community places and spaces where these improvements contribute to stronger communities.

Early Support

The programme supports activities that help people reach their potential by addressing challenges at an early stage.

Cost-of-Living Support

Projects can respond to increased pressures caused by the cost-of-living crisis.

Activities should demonstrate how they will provide meaningful support to people, communities, or organisations facing these challenges.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include a broad range of community and not-for-profit organisations in Scotland.

These include:

• Constituted voluntary organisations.
• Constituted community organisations.
• Constituted groups and clubs.
• Registered charities.
• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs).
• Not-for-profit companies.
• Community Interest Companies (CICs).
• Community benefit societies.
• Schools where the project benefits the wider local community.
• Statutory bodies.
• Local authorities.
• Community councils.

Applicants should ensure that their organisation has the appropriate legal and governance structure required by the programme.

What Does Community-Led Mean?

A community-led project is one that responds to the needs, priorities, and experiences of the people it aims to benefit.

Strong community-led projects should demonstrate:

• Local involvement.
• Clear understanding of community needs.
• Participation from beneficiaries.
• Meaningful community benefit.
• Practical and achievable activities.
• Positive outcomes for local people.

Why This Fund Matters

Many local organisations understand community challenges but have limited resources to respond to them.

The National Lottery Grants for All Scotland programme provides relatively flexible funding that can help communities develop activities addressing social, economic, health, and wellbeing challenges.

The programme can contribute to:

• Stronger communities.
• Greater social connection.
• Improved wellbeing.
• More inclusive community participation.
• Better responses to local challenges.
• Increased opportunities for people to reach their potential.

How to Apply

Applicants should consider the following steps:

1. Identify the community need
   Clearly explain the problem or opportunity your project will address.
2. Define the project
   Describe what activities you will deliver and who will benefit.
3. Choose the appropriate funding level
   Community-led projects can request £300–£20,000, while eligible arts and sports projects can request up to £10,000.
4. Set a realistic timeframe
   Community projects can last up to two years, while arts and sports projects can last up to 12 months.
5. Demonstrate community involvement
   Explain how local people have helped shape or will participate in the project.
6. Explain the expected benefits
   Describe how the project will strengthen relationships, improve wellbeing, support people, or respond to community challenges.
7. Check application restrictions
   Make sure your organisation does not have an unfinished current grant or another pending application that creates an eligibility issue.
8. Submit the application
   Provide the required organisational and project information through the programme’s application process.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Clearly explain the local community need.
• Identify who will benefit.
• Show meaningful community involvement.
• Explain how activities will create positive change.
• Provide realistic costs.
• Choose a suitable project duration.
• Explain how the project responds to one or more programme aims.
• Demonstrate why National Lottery funding is needed.
• Keep the project practical and achievable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying for activities that do not provide clear community benefit.
• Failing to explain the needs of the target community.
• Requesting an unrealistic amount of funding.
• Providing insufficient information about project outcomes.
• Applying while an existing National Lottery Awards for All Scotland grant remains unfinished.
• Submitting another application to the same programme while waiting for a decision.
• Applying to multiple programmes for the same project.

When Can You Not Apply?

Applications are not accepted from organisations that:

• Have an unfinished current National Lottery Awards for All Scotland grant.
• Are waiting for a decision on another application to the same programme.
• Are applying to multiple programmes for the same project.

Organisations should resolve any existing application or grant issues before submitting a new application.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Programme: National Lottery Grants for All Scotland.
• Country: Scotland, UK.
• Funding for community projects: £300 to £20,000.
• Community project duration: Up to two years.
• Arts and sports funding: Up to £10,000.
• Arts and sports project duration: Up to 12 months.
• Main focus: Community development, social connection, health, wellbeing, inclusion, and local resilience.
• Eligible applicants: Voluntary organisations, community groups, charities, CIOs, not-for-profit companies, CICs, schools, statutory bodies, local authorities, community councils, and community benefit societies.
• Approach: Community-led.
• Geographic focus: Scotland.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much funding can a community project receive?

Community-led projects can apply for between £300 and £20,000.

How long can a funded project last?

Community-led projects can run for up to two years.

Can arts and sports projects apply?

Yes. Eligible arts and sports projects can apply for up to £10,000 for activities lasting up to 12 months.

Can schools apply?

Yes. Schools can apply where the proposed project benefits the wider local community, rather than only the school’s students.

Can a community group apply for an existing activity?

Yes. The programme can support activities that are already operating, provided they meet the programme’s aims and eligibility requirements.

Can organisations apply if they already have another National Lottery grant application pending?

Organisations waiting for a decision on another application to the same programme cannot submit another application at that time.

Can one project be submitted to multiple funding programmes?

No. Applicants should not apply to multiple programmes for the same project.

Conclusion

The National Lottery Grants for All Scotland programme provides flexible funding for community-led initiatives that strengthen relationships, improve wellbeing, respond to local challenges, and create healthier and happier communities. With grants of up to £20,000 for community projects and up to £10,000 for eligible arts and sports projects, the programme offers support for organisations seeking to start, continue, or adapt activities that deliver meaningful benefits across Scotland.