What types of activity we'll fund
Funding is available for activity that:
- Supports individuals, families and/or communities currently experiencing hardship as a result of cost-of-living increases
- Increases access to services and support for people facing financial hardship
We will also consider activity that takes, or includes, a preventative approach to these issues.
All applicants need to demonstrate that their activity is people-led, connected and strengths-based. We call these our three approaches. Find out more about what that means in our guidance on the three approaches.
Who can apply
Most organisations are eligible to apply but we’re particularly keen to see applications from smaller voluntary and community organisations who are working with those most vulnerable and disproportionately affected by the increased cost of living.
Existing National Lottery Community Fund grant holders can apply but you can usually only have one Responding to increased cost-of-living pressures grant at a time.
How much you can ask for
Grants are available between £20,001 and £75,000. We expect there to be high demand for this funding and so grants of the upper limit - £75,000 - are expected to be the exception rather than the rule.
What you can apply for
You can apply for funding for up to 12 months to deliver or tailor existing services, or to develop new activity.
Although we welcome applications with match funding, we can fund up to 100 per cent of the costs of activity including:
- staff
- training
- volunteer expenses
- equipment
- premises costs
- evaluation
- overheads.
We do not have an exclusive list of the types of projects we want to see however examples could include: money advice projects, mental health projects, projects bringing people together for activities under one roof and 'warm room' projects. We will also consider innovative responses that we may not have seen previously.
What we will not fund
We will not fund:
- we cannot fund individuals, only projects
- mainstream employability support such as job search/access
- anything you spend money on before you get a decision from us
- activities outside the UK
- activities that actively promote religion.
This list does not cover everything we cannot fund, so check with us if you are unsure.
