Lottery money is not only distributed to the arts via the Arts Council England, but through several other major distributors: the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the Big Lottery Fund (a merger of the Community Fund and New Opportunities Fund) and Nesta. The HLF helps arts groups to promote creativity in disadvantaged areas. NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) helps talented individuals, or groups of individuals involved in the arts to reach their creative potential.

It’s worth looking at these distributor’s joint website so you can establish which form of funding best suits your needs to ensure you target the right fund.You will also be able to keep updated on the development of the Big Lottery Fund programmes here. Visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk or call the hotline on 0845 275 0000.

What is Available

HLF Funds includes:

1. Your Heritage – awards between £5,000 and £50,000 for projects which preserve heritage or increase people’s understanding of it
2. Heritage Grants – awards between £3,000 and £25,000 for projects which help local groups to preserve local traditions and culture.
3. Young Roots – awards between £5,000 and £25,000 for projects which help young people (aged between 13 and 20) to understand and take part in their heritage.

NESTA’s Fund includes:

1. Fellowship – awards range from £3,000 to £75,000 and can last up to three years. They are designed to give talented people time, space, resources and support to develop their ideas.
2. Education – to support inventive ideas in teaching and learning, to foster creativity and understanding of the arts.
3. Invention and Innovation – to help talented people to turn great ideas into commercial products or cultural services.

Big Lottery Fund programmes are currently in development. Keep checking www.biglotteryfund.org.uk for updates.

How to Apply & Contact Details

Each National Lottery funding programme has a specific application form and process – you can find out more by visiting each programme’s website or discussing your requirements on the phone.

Contact Details:

Heritage Lottery Fund
7 Holbein Place
London
SW1W 8NR
Tel: 020 7591 6042
Fax: 020 7591 6271
Minicom: 020 7591 6255
Email: enquire@hlf.org.uk
Website: www.hlf.org.uk

Big Lottery Fund
1 Plough Place
London
EC4A 1DE
Tel: 0845 410 20 30
Fax: 020 7211 1750
Textphone: 0845 039 0204
Email: general.enquiries@biglotteryfund.org.uk
Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

NESTA
Fishmongers’ Chambers
110 Upper Thames Street
London
EC4R 3TW
Tel: 020 7645 9538
Email: www.nesta.org.uk/support/feedback.html
Website: http://www.nesta.org.uk/