National Lottery Awards for All England
Small grants between £300 and £10,000 for community groups, voluntary organisations and social enterprises making a difference in England.
Funding Range
£300 - £10,000
Application
Online, rolling deadlines
Decision Time
12 weeks from submission
Quick Navigation
Programme Overview
Awards for All England is the National Lottery Community Fund's small grants programme, designed to help communities thrive. This programme funds projects that bring people together and strengthen communities across England.
Since its launch, Awards for All has distributed millions of pounds to thousands of projects, from community gardens to youth clubs, sports groups to heritage projects. The programme is known for its straightforward application process and quick decision-making.
Key Programme Features
- Simple application: Short, online form with minimal documentation
- Quick decisions: 12-week turnaround from submission
- Flexible funding: Can fund equipment, activities, small capital works
- No match funding required: 100% funding available
- Rolling deadlines: Apply any time throughout the year
Who Can Apply
Eligible Organisations
You can apply if you are a:
- Voluntary or community organisation
- Registered charity
- Not-for-profit company or community interest company
- School (as a legal entity)
- Statutory body such as a parish council or local authority
- Health body
Organisational Requirements
- Have a governing document (constitution, articles of association, etc.)
- Have a bank account in the organisation's name
- Have at least two unrelated people on your governing body
- Be based in England and benefiting people in England
Who Cannot Apply
- Individuals
- Private businesses run for profit
- Organisations that have received Awards for All funding in the last 12 months
- Organisations primarily based outside England
What Can Be Funded
The fund supports projects that:
- Bring people together and build strong relationships in and across communities
- Improve the places and spaces that matter to communities
- Help people to be more confident and have stronger wellbeing
- Enable people to shape the future of their communities
Examples of Funded Activities
Community Activities
- Community events and festivals
- Intergenerational projects bringing different age groups together
- Activities for isolated or disadvantaged groups
- Volunteer training and development
Equipment and Resources
- Sports equipment for community use
- IT equipment for digital inclusion projects
- Tools and equipment for community gardens
- Accessible equipment for disabled people
Small Capital Works
- Accessibility improvements to community buildings
- Safety improvements to community spaces
- Creation of community gardens or outdoor spaces
- Improvements to sports facilities
What Cannot Be Funded
- Activities that have already taken place
- Loans or business finance
- Projects lasting more than one year
- General appeals or endowment funds
- Projects promoting particular religious beliefs
- Projects supporting political parties or candidates
💡 Funding Tip
Awards for All particularly welcomes applications from projects working with people experiencing disadvantage or from areas of deprivation. Consider how your project addresses inequality or barriers faced by your community.
Application Process
Before You Apply
- Check eligibility: Ensure your organisation and project meet all criteria
- Plan your project: Develop clear objectives and outcomes
- Create a budget: Detail all project costs accurately
- Gather evidence of need: Document community demand for your project
- Get quotes: Obtain at least three quotes for any equipment over £1,000
Application Requirements
You'll need to provide:
- Your governing document
- Your most recent bank statement
- Your latest accounts (if your annual income is over £10,000)
- Quotes for equipment, goods or services over £1,000
- Planning permission or other permissions (if required)
Key Application Questions
The application form asks you to:
- Describe your organisation and its track record
- Explain your project and its activities
- Demonstrate the need for your project
- Show how your project will make a difference
- Provide a detailed budget breakdown
- Explain how you'll run the project
How to Write a Winning Application
1. Demonstrate Clear Community Need
- Use local statistics and data to support your case
- Include quotes from potential beneficiaries
- Reference community consultations or surveys
- Show how your project fills a gap in existing services
2. Set Realistic, Measurable Outcomes
- Be specific about what you want to achieve
- Use numbers where possible (e.g., "engage 50 young people")
- Explain how you'll measure success
- Connect outcomes to the programme's priorities
3. Show Your Organisation's Strengths
- Highlight relevant experience delivering similar projects
- Mention key partnerships and support
- Demonstrate good financial management
- Show volunteer and community backing
4. Create a Realistic Budget
- Get accurate quotes from suppliers
- Include all necessary costs (don't forget insurance, training, etc.)
- Show value for money
- Consider ongoing sustainability
⚠️ Common Application Mistakes
- • Being too vague about project activities or outcomes
- • Not demonstrating sufficient community need or demand
- • Unrealistic budgets or timeline expectations
- • Insufficient evidence of organisational capacity
- • Failing to connect the project to programme priorities
Success Stories
Westfield Community Garden - £8,500
Project: Creating a community garden with raised beds, greenhouse, and seating area.
Impact: Brought together 40 families from diverse backgrounds, improved mental health and wellbeing, created intergenerational connections.
Success Factor: Strong evidence of community support and clear plan for ongoing maintenance.
Digital Inclusion Project - £5,200
Project: IT equipment and training sessions for elderly residents in sheltered accommodation.
Impact: Reduced social isolation for 25 elderly people, improved digital skills, maintained family connections during COVID-19.
Success Factor: Partnership with local college for ongoing training support.
Youth Football Club Equipment - £3,800
Project: New kit and equipment for community football club serving disadvantaged area.
Impact: Increased membership from 15 to 35 young people, improved physical fitness, reduced antisocial behaviour.
Success Factor: Clear progression pathway and links to local schools.
Application Deadlines and Timeline
Application Timeline
- Applications accepted: Year-round, no deadlines
- Decision time: 12 weeks from submission
- Project duration: Maximum 12 months
- Funding available: Must be spent within one year of award
After Your Application
If successful, you'll need to:
- Accept terms and conditions
- Provide regular progress updates
- Submit financial monitoring reports
- Complete a final evaluation report
- Acknowledge National Lottery funding in all materials
Key Resources and Contacts
Official Resources
Support and Advice
- Phone: 0345 4 10 20 30
- Email: general.enquiries@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
- Textphone: 0345 0 39 00 75
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