Investing in Communities

Questions and answers

1. What does Investing in Communities aim to achieve?

2. How much funding is available?

3. What length of funding is available?

4. What is the turnaround time on applications?

5. Who can apply for funding?

6. Can an organization submit more than one application?

7. How does our organization apply for funding?

8. How will we know what is the most suitable investment area for our project?

9. What types of projects can be funded?

10. Who can applicants contact for additional support?

1. What does Investing in Communities aim to achieve?

Through Investing in Communities, BIG wants to help bring about lasting social change. The programme aims to bring real improvements to communities and lives of people most in need.  

2. How much funding is available?

Projects can apply for grants of between £10,000 and £1million.  If you wish to apply for more than this you should contact us. Projects looking for less than £10,000 may be eligible for one of our smaller grants programmes Awards for All, Investing in Ideas or 2014 Communities

3. What length of funding is available?

Projects can apply for up to five years funding. The average grant length awarded under the previous programme was for between three and four years.

4. What is the turnaround time on applications?

Stage one applications will be assessed within six weeks, and Stage two applications will be assessed within four months.  If projects receive development funding a further 4 weeks will apply.

5. Who can apply for funding?

A wide range of organisations are eligible to apply. Eligible organisations include voluntary and community organisations, local authorities, community councils, social enterprises and private companies (provided our grants do not contribute to the profits they distribute).   We cannot fund individuals or sole traders.  There are additional application criteria for applicants to Growing Community Assets – see the Investing in Communities guidance Automatically imported binary.
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6. Can an organisation submit more than one application?

Yes, organisations can apply to more than one investment area for separate projects. However, we would strongly recommend you contact us on 0300 123 7110 or by email at enquiries.scotland@biglotteryfund.org.uk before submitting any applications.

7. How does our organisation apply for funding?

Before you apply we strongly advise that you contact us to discuss your idea. We will tell you if we think your project fits with our investment area outcomes. If we think your project fits with our investment area outcomes we will advise you to complete a Stage one application form. You can also download this form Automatically imported binary.
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8. How will we know what is the most suitable investment area for our project?

If you are unsure if your project fits with an investment area, please email us at: enquiries.scotland@biglotteryfund.org.uk  or call our enquiries line on 0300 123 7110. You can read more about the investment areas on the website in the Investing in Communities guidance and the Stage one application form.  

9. What types of projects can be funded?

We can fund a wide range of projects under Investing in Communities so long as projects will achieve our investment area outcomes. Further information and case studies on projects funded previously under Investing in Communities are available on our case studies section and in the Investing in Communities guidance Automatically imported binary.
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10.Who can applicants contact for additional support?

Contact us on our enquiries number on 0300 123 7110 in the first instance if you are thinking of applying and our team will provide you with advice and support.

Once you have submitted an application, one of our team will contact you to discuss your application in more detail.

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