Whether you’re running a grassroots community group, a local charity, or a social enterprise, funding from The National Lottery Community Fund can help you grow, strengthen your impact, and support people across Northern Ireland.
Here’s a breakdown of the funding programmes currently available – and how you can find out more about them and get support with applying.
1. National Lottery Awards for All Northern Ireland
Grants: £300 to £20,000
This is a great starting point for smaller projects or new ideas. It’s quick to apply and open year-round, with no deadlines.
You can apply for funding for projects up to two-years in length to:
- bring people together and build strong relationships
- improve places and spaces that matter to communities
- help people reach their potential at the earliest possible stage
- support those facing challenges due to the cost-of-living crisis
We are particularly keen to see ideas that focus on environmental activity. If your community has an idea to get involved in tackling climate change or are developing a project to improve their environment for future generations, do get in touch with our team.
2. Strengthening Communities
Grants: £20,001 to £500,000
This programme supports community-led projects that tackle disadvantage and help people thrive.
Projects must:
- involve people who experience poverty, disadvantage or discrimination
- support people early to help prevent negative experiences
- be led by your community and build on its strengths and connections.
Your project must be shaped by the community and achieve one of these outcomes:
- reduce health inequalities.
- improve people’s physical health, mental health or wellbeing.
- foster positive relationships and connections.
- encourage young people to reach their potential and thrive as adults.
- help children and young people develop good social and emotional skills.
Project length: Up to 5 years
3. UK-wide opportunities
Groups in Northern Ireland can also apply for UK-wide programmes like:
- The Climate Action Fund
- The UK Fund
These are designed to support larger-scale or thematic projects with national impact.
4. Non-Lottery funding available
If you are keen to develop your organisation’s resilience, capacity and sustainability, our non-lottery funding will be of interest to you.
Dormant Assets for All
Grants: £300 to £20,000
This programme helps voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations become stronger and more sustainable. It’s ideal for groups looking to:
- improve governance and leadership
- build digital or financial skills
- recruit and manage volunteers
- improve how you track and measure your impact
Note: This funding is for organisational development- not for delivering community activities.
Open for applications until 2027.
5. Get support with your application
The team at The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland is here to help. You can get in touch with our team to talk through your idea and get advice on which programme is the best fit for your idea. If you would like to chat to us, contact numbers are detailed below:
The Eastern team covers:
- Antrim and Newtownabbey
- Belfast
- Lisburn and Castlereagh
Funding Manager:
Nuala Macauley, nuala.macauley@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk, 079 7138 7171
Funding Officers:
Deirdre O’Loan, Belfast (West) 079 7136 7173
Judith McCann, Belfast (East), 077 7177 3923
Kate McKenna, Lisburn & Castlereagh, 077 6972 4770
Seamus McCann, Belfast (North), 079 7138 7244
Tracey Denniss, Antrim & Newtownabbey, 079 7138 7228
Gail McKenna, all areas, 079 7033 5791
Tara Moyes, all areas, 078 1249 0858
The North Western team covers:
- Causeway Coast and Glens
- Derry City and Strabane district
- Fermanagh and Omagh
- Mid and East Antrim
Funding Manager:
Gillian Irvine, gillian.irvine@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk, 079 7138 7153
Funding Officers:
Charlie Thomas, Fermanagh & Omagh, 079 2987 2482
Colin Howells, Mid & East Antrim, 079 7138 7167
Lisa Boggs, Derry & Strabane, 079 7187 9968
Lorraine Gallen, Derry & Strabane, 079 7138 7249
Tommy Carlin, Derry & Strabane, 079 7138 7235
Leanne Abernethy, Causeway Coast & Glens, 078 1249 0850
The Southern team covers:
- Ards and North Down
- Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon
- Mid Ulster
- Newry Mourne and Down
Funding Manager:
Mark Creaney , mark.creaney@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk, 079 7138 7173
Funding Officers:
Ruairi McCamphill, Mid Ulster, 079 7033 3002
Sarah Geddis, Newry, Mourne and Down, 079 7776 0380
Joe Braden , Ards and North Down, 079 1724 1399
Abbie Ballantine, Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, 079 7632 2631
If you are interested in applying for funding through Dormant Assets NI or have a general query about funding you can contact our advice team by calling 028 9055 1455 or emailing the team at enquiries.ni@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk.
Detailed guidance for all programmes is available online. Visit the NI funding page for full details.
Let us help you share your story
If you already receive National Lottery funding, we’d love to help you spread the word.
You can order some branded materials to help you promote your project. You should also be using the logo when advertising or promoting your National Lottery supported activities.
We also ask you to use the hashtag #NationalLottery and tag us in social media posts so we can amplify your work and the impact it has on local communities:
If you received funding through Dormant Assets NI, different guidance applies as your funding did not come from the National Lottery. Visit our website for guidance or call our team on 028 9055 1455 for advice.
Together, we can make a difference in communities across Northern Ireland.
The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland 