It starts with community
Social connections and community activities are at the heart of creating healthier, happier lives and a flourishing society. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund supports amazing community-led projects. And why we’re looking to make a bigger difference in the years ahead, by listening and responding to communities and by focusing on supporting bolder change.
Thanks to National Lottery players, we plan to distribute at least £4 billion of funding by 2030. Supporting projects that will create resilient communities that are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Projects that will strengthen society and improve lives across the UK.
Where we’ll start
Enabling communities to connect
Our work starts with the building blocks that enable communities to connect, build relationships and take action on what matters most to them.
And when people come together across generations, backgrounds and experiences – something powerful happens. Civil society organisations provide vital spaces, activities and opportunities for people to come together. These connections are the bonds that strengthen society and improve lives.
We support communities
That’s why we fund and support communities to take action on what matters most to them. And it’s why from Autumn 2023, we’re increasing funding for smaller, community projects by doubling the size of our easy to apply for, National Lottery Awards for All grants to £20,000.
Our society faces some big and urgent challenges, which require bold responses. Communities are demanding bolder, long-term change, and more power to shape the future. That’s why we’re increasing our focus and investment in creating lasting change, through targeted missions aimed at strengthening society and improving lives. And why we’ll partner with communities, civil society organisations and others to build this change.
Equitable funding
We know not all communities have the opportunities or the right set-up to come together. So, while our funding is available to all communities, we’ll invest most where the need is greatest, with people, places and communities who experience poverty, disadvantage and discrimination.
We listen
This strategy is shaped by our day-to-day work, and by what we heard through our conversations with communities, civil society organisations and others in 2022, involving over 18,000 interactions.
As the largest single source of community funding in the UK we help communities flourish. We provide the funding, they put the money to work.
Watch a video about our Strategy
The journey to 2030
Our ambition
The ambition through this strategy is to create resilient communities that are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable, funding activities and organisations that strengthen society and improve lives across the UK.
We’re focusing our efforts where there is greatest need. We’re looking to make a bigger difference in the years ahead, both by listening and responding to communities, and being more focused on supporting the greatest impact.
It starts with community.
