Introduction – overview of the funding
As part of its vision for funding in England, and its commitment to its new funding strategy (It Starts with Community), the National Lottery Community Fund (TNLCF) is establishing a £100 million, 10 year Community Power Fund.
Community power refers to local communities (people living in the same place, whether at a neighbourhood or larger level) being able to influence and change:
- Places they live
- Services they use
- Decisions that affect their lives.
Before the launch of the broader programme in 2026, TNLCF is looking to work with 10 to 15 partners on a one-year development phase to understand what works to increase community power, what the barriers are and what support and learning is needed to improve community power activities over the long term.
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have experience of going beyond engaging communities by doing work to increase their community power.
- Work in and with communities that are the most excluded and marginalised, and the least empowered.
- Have experience of working in communities where the conditions are currently least suited to growing community power. For example, where people have less trust in each other, do not feel they belong, or do not have places to meet.
- Show how the values and approaches of community power are central to their work.
Applications will be accepted from the following types of organisations:
- Constituted voluntary or community organisation
- Constituted group or club
- Registered charity
- Charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)
- Not-for-profit company
- Community interest company (CIC)
- School (as long as their project benefits and involves the communities around the school)
- Statutory body (including local authorities, town, parish and community council)
- Community benefit society.
Any other funded partners must also be one of these types of organisations.
All companies who apply must have at least 2 directors who are not related.
What are the funder priorities?
The funder will prioritise work organisations with experience of improving the lives of people in communities that are the most excluded and marginalised, and where the conditions are currently least suited to growing community power.
How much can organizations apply for?
A total of £1.2 million is available over one year.
Grants of between £50,000 and £80,000 are available per partner organisation
What the funding can be used for
The grants can be used to fund a range of different approaches to improving community power.
This could include:
- Addressing barriers to community power.
- Supporting communities to use their power.
- Improving confidence and accessibility.
- Supporting communities to influence decisions that affect their lives.
- Raising awareness of other ways to use community power.
The funding can be spent on:
- Delivery costs for running activities that increase community power.
- Salary costs.
- Transport costs and expenses.
- Other costs involved in working as a NLCF partner and taking part in development work.
- Overheads. This could include things like part of rent or insurance, or part of a salary for someone not directly involved in this work. Like a senior manager or an office admin worker.
Is there a deadline?
Expressions of interest will open on Wednesday 8 January 2025.
Find out more/how to apply
The first step to applying is to fill out an expression of interest form. The form will be available on the Funder’s website from Wednesday 8 January 2025.
TNLCF is holding a webinar on 28 November 2024 (14:00 to 14:45). Registration is required and can be done via the TNLCF website. The webinar will be recorded and shared. To know more about the application process, please read the guidelines available on the funder’s website.
Further support
For further support from RVA with preparing your application or your policies and procedures required for this funding, contact Herjeet Vass at herjeet.vass@rva.org.uk