Our National Lottery Awards for All funding programme remains as popular as ever with communities across Northern Ireland. At this time of year, we always see an increase in enquiries from schools, pre-schools and Parent Teacher Associations about whether they are eligible to apply and the type of projects that can be supported.  

We changed the priorities on our programme a few years ago to ensure our funding is having the most impact in local communities across the UK. This means that we are less likely to fund projects based in schools if the proposed activities only benefit the school community – pupils and teachers.

While schools are still eligible to apply, it is really by exception, as we will not fund projects that mainly benefit or involve teachers, pupils, and the parents of pupils. 

National Lottery Awards for All funding cannot be used to duplicate or cover shortfalls in activity that fall under the responsibility of statutory agencies. This is an important note to consider when developing your project idea. For example, we can’t cover the costs of curriculum activity, pre-school provision (because this is funded by government) and pre-pre school provision that receives statutory funding.

For us to be able to consider any project idea, the wider community must be involved and be able to benefit from the project as well.  

With that in mind, here’s some advice if you are considering applying for funding to do work in a school: 

1. Steer clear of teaching time 

We can’t fund school-based activities during teaching time or that are part of the school curriculum . This is the case whether you are a school applying for a grant, or a charity applying to run some activities for pupils in a school. Even if the activities are quite different from normal lessons, we can’t fund them if they will replace teaching activity. 

Before school and after school might be considered, as are break times and lunchtime as long as the wider community are involved. 

If there’s no other time the activities could happen it’s best to speak to us before applying, and we’ll keep you right. 

2. Avoid applying for equipment that could be used in school teaching time or to improve school facilities

This is a common request but isn’t something we can fund. For example, we will not fund sports equipment that could be used in P.E. lessons or computers or iPads for IT classes. This is the case even if the equipment will also sometimes be used outside of school hours. 

We understand that many schools want to install outdoor teaching areas to ease the pressure on classrooms and encourage outdoor learning. Unfortunately, this isn’t something we can consider. Costs for improving school facilities cannot be supported through the funding programme.

3. Make sure to involve the wider community 

It is really important to remember we won’t fund work that only, or mainly, benefits school pupils or staff. 

We look for wider community involvement in the planning, development and delivery of any work we fund – in schools or elsewhere. 

For us, the best examples of this are when you have asked your community ‘what would you like to do?’ rather than ‘do you support this idea we’ve already come up with’ or ‘would you like to do this free activity we have arranged?’ 

Some examples of what we won’t consider 

Here are some examples of things we did not fund, based on some recent applications: 

• Stationery supplies for children to use in school 
• Help with staff training costs
• Improvements to or creation of PE halls or tracks 
• Interactive white boards or iPads for outside of normal school day learning 
• Installation of outdoor classroom to allow lessons in the playground 
• Projects that aim to increase participation in sport, arts or heritage as these activities fall under the remits of another National Lottery funder  

We also receive many applications for improvements to school grounds for the sole benefit of pupils, which we cannot fund. 

So, what can we fund? 

We know that small amounts of National Lottery funding can have a massive impact for people in local communities across Northern Ireland.

Projects involving and benefiting the wider community that meet the programme criteria can be considered.

For example, we might consider an after-school drama production, involving the wider community, that focuses on health and wellbeing that will be performed for local care homes. We might also consider supporting a food club where local people are invited to work alongside pupils to grow or harvest food in a community garden. 

We receive more applications for funding through National Lottery Awards for All than we can support so there are no guarantees a project will receive funding. The application process is competitive so give your project idea the best chance of success by ensuring it is eligible before you apply and avoid common pitfalls.

If in doubt, talk to us. We’re always happy to have a chat about your idea before you apply, so if you aren’t sure or would like further information, call us on 028 9055 1455 or email enquiries.ni@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk