National Lottery Awards for All Northern Ireland

Awards for All Northern Ireland is The National Lottery Community Fund’s small grants programme for Northern Ireland. It funds community projects of £300 to £20,000 lasting up to two years, with applications open all year round.

It funds projects, not objects, and it has some exclusions the other UK programmes don’t, so read them before you start.

• What they fund: Costs directly related to your project, including running and activity costs, equipment, one-off events, staff, training and facilitators, transport, utilities, volunteer expenses and small land or refurbishment projects.
• Typical grants: £300 to £20,000 for projects lasting up to two years. You can’t apply if your organisation has already received £20,000 from the programme in the last 12 months.
• Who can apply: Constituted voluntary and community groups and clubs, registered charities, not-for-profit companies, CICs, schools where the project helps the wider community, and statutory bodies such as councils or health trusts for work that isn’t a statutory responsibility. You need at least two unrelated board or committee members. Organisations with lower incomes are prioritised.
• The angle: Projects must bring people together, improve places and spaces that matter to communities, help people reach their potential early, or support people facing pressure from the cost of living. Lead with what the project changes for people, and let the website be the means.
• Worth knowing: Unlike the England, Scotland and Wales programmes, this one won’t fund projects that focus on sport, arts or heritage activities or equipment, or pre-school provision. Apply at least 12 weeks before you need the money. Applications written by consultants or private businesses aren’t accepted.

Could it pay for a charity website?

Probably No if your proposal is:

“We need a new website for our heritage society to promote our collection and raise funds.”

Heritage-focused projects and fundraising activities are both excluded in Northern Ireland.

Possibly Yes if your proposal is:

“We’re setting up a befriending service for isolated older people across two council areas, with an online volunteer sign-up and a simple way for families to refer someone.”

The website is one of the costs of running the service, which is what the programme is there to fund.

How to apply

1. Check you are eligible and that you don’t already hold an Awards for All Northern Ireland grant or have an application waiting.
2. Plan the project with the people it is for.
3. Read the full list of application questions on the Fund’s website, then apply online. Easy Read, PDF and British Sign Language versions are available if you need them.
4. Expect a decision in around 12 weeks. If you are successful, the Fund aims to pay within 14 days.

Questions charities ask

Similar funds

Look at funds open across the whole of the UK, or compare Awards for All England and Awards for All Scotland. Or browse the full Funding Finder.