The National Lottery

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Facts about The National Lottery - Did you know..?

The National Lottery was launched in 1994. For each £1 ticket purchased:

• 28p goes to good causes
• 50p goes towards prizes
• 12p goes to the Treasury in duty
• 5p goes to Lottery retailers
• 5p to the game operator (0.5p of this is profit, the remainder covers operating costs).

About 70% of all adults in the UK play the National Lottery Game and since the National Lottery began they have raised some £22 billion for good causes; each week that is about £25m.

Some 300,000 grants have been made across the range of good causes which include sports, arts, heritage, charities, health, education and environment. More than half of all grants made are under £5,000.

• Lottery Good Causes website
• ITV Local about projects - films about funded projects and other interesting information about the National Lottery.

Why bid for Lottery money?

Why not? It is the biggest source of non-statutory grant funding in the UK. It has been established by local people and is there to benefit local people.

Who distributes the funds?

The money raised through the National Lottery is distributed by a number of agencies covering a wide range of good causes shown in the table below.

An easy way to identify the most appropriate distributor for you is to visit the Lottery funding website where you can search against:

• type of organisation
• amount of money you want to apply for
• where geographically the funding will be spent
• what you want to spend the money on.

Use this as a guide. We suggest you still visit individual distributor websites for more detailed information.

You may also want to see what funds have been awarded and to whom in your area. Go to the Lottery Culture website.

A good place to start for small organisations

Awards for All is a programme managed by BIG (The Big Lottery) on behalf of all the other distributors. The funding available is for projects that encourage people to take part in art, sport, heritage and community activities. In addition it supports projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community. Grants range from £300 to £10,000. There is a simple application process and the process takes eight weeks.

Think before applying!

You are going to make an application and this has to be done in writing. The words you use on the paper need to get your message across. About 7 per cent of any message is words, 38 per cent is sound and the remaining 55 per cent is visual. This means that your words need to be clear and precise.  Using diagrams and perhaps including photographs where appropriate will help communicate your message more effectively.

Because of the high volumes of applications many of the distributors ‘score’ applications. Where programmes are oversubscribed, this allows them to make choices about which projects to fund. So writing your application well is very important.

Do your homework before applying

Before you put pen to paper to make an application you need to do your research.

Step 1

• Go to the distributor’s website and look at ‘open’ grant programmes.
• Check that your organisation is eligible to apply; eligibility includes the type of organisation you are, your legal status.
• Look at the programme aims, outcomes and objectives and be clear how your project fits.
• Check what they will and won’t fund and whether there are limits on size of grant.
• Make a note of deadlines for application and whether it is a one or two stage process.
• If you get stuck ring the Lottery good causes helpline - 0845 275 0000 (text phone 0845 275 0022). They can refer you to an appropriate distributor or answer your questions directly.
• If there is an online application process go register your application and check out how this works now.

In most local authorities and Councils for Voluntary Service there are individuals who are trained to give information about Lottery funding. In some places they may even be able to help you with your application.

Step 2

Once you have a general idea about which distributor you want to apply to and the grant programme you need to get down to the detail:

• Get a copy of the application form and programme guidelines.
• Read through these carefully highlighting things that you don’t have an immediate answer to.
• Make a list of all the things you need to send with the application when you make it. These will range from a signed referee form, to annual accounts, a constitution to a business plan.
• If you need other signatures on your application make a note of who they are and agree a set of dates for this to happen; that way if someone important is going to be on holiday you can make alternative arrangements now and not be let down at the last minute.
• Check to see if the Lottery distributor runs a road show or workshops to provide information to applicants about making an application. Attend if you can, because this will help you do the right things and to understand more about how your application will be reviewed.

Making the application

If you haven’t already got a project proposal, now is the time to start creating one. Many of the distributors offer guidelines on doing this. There are lots of publications that you might find useful. In addition there are many and varied training courses you could attend if you want to. Check out what is on offer:

• Directory of Social Change
• Fit4Funding
• Information about Lottery Funding (NCVO).

Application musts

• Be sure to state clearly your eligibility for the programme. Read the guidelines carefully and answer each point. If you aren’t eligible, your application won’t be considered.
• Look at the criteria for the programme and respond to each point in turn. Be specific in what you say. Show that you have planned your project and have a sense of size and purpose and that this is genuinely reflected in the budget you submit. 
• Set a realistic timetable for your project
• Check that all the figures add up properly
• Ask someone to read you application and to rehearse with you what you are asking for and why. Make improvements as necessary.

Application must nots

• Don’t guess your budget. Work it out to the best of your ability.
• Don’t forget to include all the additional paperwork that was requested and label each document with your reference number, project name and organisation name.
• Don’t overestimate numbers; big numbers sometimes don’t impress, rather they tell the reader that your proposal is overambitious.
• All signatures required must be provided as well as contact details.
• Don’t miss the deadline.

And finally GOOD LUCK!

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