National Lottery Community Fund – Grants for Improving Lives (Scotland)
Description
Grants are available to a range of organisations in Scotland for activities which help people in Scotland to overcome difficulties and become more resilient.Current StatusOpen for ApplicationsMaximum value:£ 200,000
Objectives of Fund
The funding is intended for activities that mean people:
- Are better able to identify ways to take control over their lives and build resilience.
- Are able to shape the activities and services they use to better meet their needs.
- Have more access to support and opportunities to improve their lives.
Value Notes
Grants of between £10,001 and £200,000 are available for up to three years.
Match Funding Restrictions
Applications ‘may have a better chance’ if they can show some level of match funding. However, the grant can cover 100% of the costs of the activity if necessary.
Who Can Apply
Voluntary and community organisations, as well as public sector organisations can apply.
Priority will be given to smaller organisations that have not received a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund before.
Existing National Lottery Community Fund grantholders can apply but organisations can usually only have one Improving Lives grant at a time.
Restrictions
The following are not eligible for funding:
- Retrospective costs.
- Activities outside the UK.
- Activities that actively promote religion.
- Mainstream employability activity, such as job search support.
Eligible Expenditure
The funding is for activities which:
- Support children, young people and families currently experiencing challenging circumstances.
- Support people who have experienced abuse.
- Tackle loss, isolation and loneliness.
- Support people that experience discrimination and/or work to challenge discrimination.
- Support people facing financial hardship.
Applications will be considered for activity which aims to prevent as well as respond to these issues.
Eligible activities should follow the Community Fund’s “three approaches” to funding in Scotland:
- Be people-led: Meaningfully involving the people the organisation is working with in the development, design and delivery of activities.
- Be strength-based: Making the most of, and building on, the skills and experiences of people and assets within communities.
- Be connected: Having a good understanding of what others are doing locally, developing good working relationships and complementing and adding value to other relevant activity in the area.
The grants should mainly be used to cover revenue costs (including staff, equipment, premises costs and overheads). However, organisations can also include up to £50,000 of minor capital costs as part of their application, for items such as building refurbishment, adaptations or landscaping.
How To Apply
Applications can be submitted at any time.
All applicants should initially contact the grants team to discuss their project and to be sent an application form.
Sample application forms can be found on the National Lottery Community Fund website.
