Big Lottery Fund

BIG is committed to supporting groups to make changes for the better. While the most important way we do that is through funding projects directly, it is important for us to be aware that not all communities and groups have the experience or support they need to develop ideas, make applications and run projects.

Here are some key findings from our work in this area

There are several ways that we respond to this:

1. We run programmes that set out to build skills and confidence directly. These include:

• The Fair Share Trust, which has made funds and support available to specific areas that had not previously received high levels of Lottery funding;
• The forthcoming Big Local Trust in England, which builds on the work of and learning from the Fair Share Trust, and
• BASIS in England, Dynamic Inclusive Communities in Scotland, and the Building Change Trust in Northern Ireland, all of which support voluntary and community sector support services.

2. We work with other agencies that support groups and communities, notably through our funding adviser strategy in England. We have also studied how groups working in the areas of sexual orientation and ethnicity meet or might meet their development needs

3. We provide support to our applicants and grant-holders directly. Some studies that have helped to shape that work include:

• A study of the experiences of small groups that had received large grants. This reported many of the challenges and assumptions involved in expanding a group’s activities;
• A review of what applicants thought about our assessment processes
• A consideration of how we can help groups that apply to us to meet their development needs;
• A review of support and development contracts that we offer to applicants or grant-holders in various programmes; and
• A study of how far holding a grant has helped groups in Scotland to develop their skills and confidence
• An evaluation of our research grants programme.

4. We undertake research and contribute to wider discussion about issues in this area. such as a commentary on how funders can help meet needs in this area in the current political and economic climate

Please contact us if you’d like any further information.