Awards For All

Charity Number: CUSTOM_016779F6

Annual Expenditure: £686.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £686 million (National Lottery Community Fund total for 2023-24)
  • Success Rate: Approximately 33% (funds around 1 in 3 applications)
  • Decision Time: Up to 16 weeks
  • Grant Range: £300 - £20,000
  • Geographic Focus: England (with separate programs for Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/national-lottery-awards-for-all-england

Phone: 0345 4 102030

Email: general.enquiries@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

Pre-Application Support: The Advice team is available to support applicants at every stage of the application process

Overview

Awards for All is a small grants programme operated by the National Lottery Community Fund, the UK's largest community funder. The programme has been supporting grassroots community projects since its establishment, making grants to local charities, community groups, and not-for-profit organisations across England. The programme provides grants of £300 to £20,000 for projects lasting up to two years. In the 2023-24 financial year, the National Lottery Community Fund awarded £686 million in 13,720 grants across all programmes. In November 2023, the maximum funding available for Awards for All was doubled from £10,000 to £20,000, and the project duration was extended from one year to two years, reflecting the Fund's commitment to providing more substantial support to community organisations. The Fund prioritises groups with smaller incomes and emphasises community-led initiatives that create healthier, happier lives and flourishing communities through social connections.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Awards for All England: £300 - £20,000 (projects up to 2 years)

  • Rolling application basis with no fixed deadlines
  • Apply at least 16 weeks before project start date
  • Groups with smaller incomes are prioritised

Priority Areas

Projects must achieve at least one of the following:

  1. Bring people together to build strong relationships in and across communities
  2. Improve places and spaces that matter to communities
  3. Help people reach their potential by supporting them at the earliest possible stage
  4. Support people, communities and organisations facing increased demands and challenges because of the cost-of-living crisis

The Fund also expects all applicants to consider their environmental impact and demonstrate environmental policies and procedures, describing this as “a chance to show leadership and innovation.”

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects that duplicate or cover shortfalls in activity that fall under the responsibility of statutory agencies (though projects can complement existing provision)
  • Organisations already holding an open application waiting for a decision
  • Organisations with current Awards for All funding (must wait until current grant finishes)
  • Projects where costs appear excessive or unreasonable
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Governance and Leadership

Board Structure

The National Lottery Community Fund is governed by a board comprising a chair and nine members who decide the strategic direction of the organisation.

Current Leadership:

  • Paul Sweeney - Interim Chair
  • David Knott - Chief Executive
  • Emma Boggis - Senior Independent Director
  • Ali Torabi - Head of Funding Development

Board Members

  • Danielle Palmour - Founding Director of Friends Provident Foundation
  • Richard Collier-Keywood OBE - Appointed for a term until 30 June 2026
  • Stuart Hobley - Director of The Linbury Trust with almost twenty years in grant-making
  • Helen Stephenson CBE - Appointed for a term until 30 June 2026
  • Peter Stewart MVO - Executive Director at The Eden Project
  • John Mothersole - Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund England Committee
  • Dr Lowthe-Thomas - CEO of Severn-Wye Energy Agency

Key Leadership Quotes

Ali Torabi, Head of Funding Development, stated: "We are committed to delivering a fairer, stronger and more resilient future for communities across England... We have consulted far and wide to design a Solidarity Fund that reflects the priorities of the communities we serve. We've heard that long-term, core funding can be a game-changer for organisations that are already working hard to tackle inequality."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Online application portal: Available through the National Lottery Community Fund website
  • Rolling basis: No fixed deadlines - applications accepted year-round
  • Pre-application timing: Apply at least 16 weeks before you need to start activities or spend the money
  • Bank account requirement: Must have a bank account requiring at least two people to sign each cheque or withdrawal
  • AI assistance: Applicants may use AI tools to help write applications, but answers must be accurate and reflect your own work

Decision Timeline

  • Review period: Up to 16 weeks from application submission to decision (currently experiencing longer wait times due to high demand)
  • Notification method: Email confirmation if successful
  • Payment timeline: Funding typically paid within 14 days after successful notification

Success Rates

  • Current success rate: Approximately 33% (the Fund typically funds around 1 in 3 applications)
  • Historical comparison: In 2016/17, the success rate was 63%, with 10,368 projects funded for a total of £86.4 million
  • Recent activity: In 2023-24, 6,223 grants were for £10,000 or less
  • High demand: The Fund receives more applications than it can fund, meaning even worthwhile projects may not be funded

Reapplication Policy

  • Cannot apply if you already have an open application awaiting decision
  • Cannot apply if you currently have Awards for All funding (must wait until current grant finishes)
  • Can apply if you received an award of less than £20,000 in the last 12 months for a project that is now completed and closed (for a new project)
  • Unsuccessful applicants: No explicit waiting period mentioned for reapplication after unsuccessful applications

Application Success Factors

Most Common Rejection Reasons

  1. Other applications were stronger: The most common reason is that competing applications focused on programme priorities more clearly or demonstrated stronger community involvement
  2. Missing vital information: Up to 25% of applications lack essential information, with bank statements being the most common omission
  3. Weak community involvement: Failure to demonstrate that project plans came from listening to the community
  4. Excessive costs: Project budgets that appear inflated or unreasonable
  5. Not meeting priorities: Insufficient alignment with the Fund's four priority areas

Direct Advice from the Funder

On Community Leadership: The Fund states it places “real emphasis on community leadership,” asking applicants to “show how people with lived experience of the issues are helping to shape, lead, and deliver the work, not just give feedback on it.”

On Application Quality: From the Fund's blog: "It's important to read through the funding program information to make sure your project idea meets all the criteria and you must complete all sections and include all relevant information."

On Costs: “A clear breakdown of costings should be provided within your application, and it is important to only apply for the funding that you need to run the project.” The blog also warns: “Overinflated costings to request the maximum grant size is not a good idea.”

On Getting Help: "It's better to clear up issues, ask questions, or check eligibility in advance of applying, and the Fund is available to support you at every stage."

Tips for Standing Out

  1. Demonstrate genuine community need: Groups must evidence need for their projects through solid community consultation
  2. Show community co-production: Include examples such as partnering with grassroots organisations, setting up steering groups of service users, or ensuring staff/Board includes people with lived experience
  3. Consider environmental impact: Address environmental considerations regardless of project type
  4. Be honest about development: According to charity consultancy Craigmyle: "Funders don't expect perfection, but they do expect purpose, focus, and integrity"
  5. Provide accurate information: Ensure all required documents, especially bank statements, are correct and included
  6. Plan ahead: Apply well in advance of your project start date
  7. Focus on one priority: Align clearly with one of the four priority areas rather than trying to address all of them

What Makes Applications Unsuccessful

  • Applications from organisations with large annual incomes (smaller groups prioritised)
  • Duplicate applications or projects too similar to previous applications
  • Insufficient differentiation from statutory services
  • Lack of clarity about why the community wants the project
  • Missing evidence of community consultation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Apply early: With 16-week decision times and high demand, plan well ahead of your project start date
  • Smaller is prioritised: Organisations with smaller incomes have a better chance of success
  • Community co-production is critical: Don't just consult the community - show how they are shaping, leading, and delivering the work
  • Complete applications win: One quarter of applications fail due to missing information - thoroughness matters
  • Competition is tough: Only 1 in 3 applications succeed, so alignment with priorities and strong community involvement are essential differentiators
  • Support is available: Contact the Advice team before applying to check eligibility and clarify requirements
  • Environmental considerations matter: Even if your project isn't environmental, address how you'll minimise negative impacts and show environmental policies

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