The BIG LOTTERY FUND

Minimum grant: £10,000
Maximum grant: £1 million
Total available: £257 million

The Big Lottery Fund was launched on June 2004. This is the merger between the New Opportunities Fund and the Community Fund.

The Big Lottery Fund in Scotland has £257 million to spend between 2006 and 2009. They want to invest this money to bring real improvements to communities and to the lives of people most in need.

There are four themes:

• Growing Community Assets which will help communities become stronger by acquiring or developing assets for their own use.
• Dynamic Inclusive Communities which will help build stronger more vibrant communities
• Life Transitions which will support projects that help people deal with change in their lives and encourage them to move on.
• Supporting 21st Century Life which will invest in projects that enable people to cope with new patterns of life and the pace of change communities are experiencing.

A wide range of groups can apply including charities, voluntary and community groups, local authorities, social enterprises or health boards. BIG expect most of their grants made to be between £10,000 and £1,000,000. If you think your project needs more, contact them to discuss your idea.

BIG can also help you develop or test your idea through the Investing in Ideas scheme.

If you are interested in applying complete the simple outline proposal form telling them about your idea and your group. If BIG think you should apply they will provide you with feedback, application materials and advise which area of investment your project best fits. You can download an outline proposal form from http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_investing-in-communities or call 0845 606 1199 for a hardcopy.

Due to the volume and complexity of the outline proposals being received, it may take up to 20 working days for you to receive a decision.

At anytime during the process you can contact their funding advisors on 0870 240 2391 to discuss your idea or any queries you may have.

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