Big Lottery Fund

It is easy to assume that getting more money will help small groups to become even more successful at what they do. But many funders are wary about encouraging groups to expand too quickly. The National Lottery Charities Board (which later became part of the Big Lottery Fund) was interested to find out more about this question.

So in 1997 we commissioned NOP Consumer to look into this. They ran a study that followed the experiences of 27 small groups in this situation over three years.

The study provided a very rich account of what happened. Some general findings and conclusions follow:

• Groups saw receiving a grant as recognition of their value and ability, but their success tended to impose a range of stressful new challenges – such as having to become more ‘bureaucratic’. Most groups came to terms with this over time.
• Many groups did not know how to seek support to deal with these unexpected changes, and many expected us to initiate contact with them to address such concerns and were disappointed that this did not happen. One way to deal with this is to ensure that the voluntary and community sector infrastructure is funded to support groups, but we could also do more to prepare groups to face the new challenges.
• Over time, groups became increasingly concerned with finding future funding, but many did not make detailed plans to start doing this. Some felt that we had a ‘moral right’ to continue to fund them.

Although this study took place some time ago, what it found remains relevant to funders and others with an interest in ensuring that small groups prosper and succeed.

You can read a summary of the findings We have always been willing to make comparatively large grants to small organisations. Some funders are reluctant to do this because of the risks involved. So we followed the ...
- 65KB or the full report We have always been willing to make comparatively large grants to small organisations. Some funders are reluctant to do this because of the risks involved. So we followed the ...
- 337KB

Please contact us if you would like further information.