[WiLT] Reaching Communities: Current process ends 27th April (new process after that)

[WiL Admin]

Reaching Communities: Current process ends 27th April (new process after that)

Reaching Communities is remaining open.

Reaching Communities will continue to be a key element of our increased
commitment to deliver the vast majority of our funding to the voluntary and
community sector.

There is no change to who can apply, what we will fund, or the difference we
want to make with this programme. The programme will continue to make awards
between £10,000 and £500,000 and will continue to fund for up to five years

Funding available

At least £300 million will be awarded to projects making a difference to the
lives of individuals and communities most in need through our Reaching
Communities programme until 2013.

What improvements have you made?

We are making a series of improvements to Reaching Communities to enhance our
customers' experience:
. There will be a more proportionate approach for groups applying for up to
£40K/annum - for these applicants there will be a simpler application process
and quicker decision making than if you are asking for more than £40K per year.
In particular this should benefit smaller organisations.
. We are also in the process of developing a community buildings stream to
launch later this year. More information on this will be made available as the
programme development continues.
. There will be more support for applicants at every stage of the application
process, particularly in those areas and for those groups that have received
less funding than we would have expected.
. We will support networking and learning opportunities for those we fund to
learn from each other and encourage them to share good practice.

How to apply

The current outline proposal form will be available to download until Tuesday
27th April. Applicants will have until Friday 14th May to submit the form, but
will still have up to six months to submit a full application. See
http://www2.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_reaching_communities?tab=2&regioncode=-uk&status=theProg

You can apply to Reaching Communities if you are:
. a registered charity
. a voluntary or community group
. a statutory body, (including schools)
. a charitable or not-for-profit company
. a social enterprise - a business that is chiefly run for social objectives,
whose profits are reinvested in the business rather than going to shareholders
and owners.

Call our national helpline for advice on 0845 410 20 30.
Email us at general.enquiries at biglotteryfund.org.uk
Call our Lottery Funding Helpline on 0845 275 00 00 or go to
http://www.lotteryfunding.org.uk

The Reaching Communities programme will now accept applications for projects
that were previously eligible for other BIG programmes:

Advice - Reaching Communities can now consider projects that provide advice on
rights and responsibilities, as well as those that offer softer advice such as
counselling

Family Learning - Reaching Communities is now able to support projects that
provide family learning activities - shared learning between adults and children
in the family. Reaching Communities continues to consider projects that offer
general family support such as parenting skills.

Well - Being - Reaching Communities will continue to consider health, well -
being or physical activity projects.

Young People - Reaching Communities will now consider projects that have young
people as their primary beneficiaries

Children's Play - Reaching Communities can consider activities that include play
such as after school clubs or one o' clock clubs, and small-scale refurbishments
up to £50K capital grant and maximum £200K capital project

Community Buildings - Reaching Communities can consider small-scale
refurbishments of up to £50K capital grant and maximum capital project size of
£200K.

Community Libraries - Reaching Communities will continue to fund services taking
place within libraries.

Parks - Reaching Communities can consider smaller projects within a park such as
a park warden, or a refurbished football pitch. Maximum grant of £50K, maximum
capital project size £200K


Applications after 27th April

>From Wednesday 28th April the new improved outline proposal form will be
available to download. Applicants will be told within 20 working days if they
will be invited to complete a full application form.

If you are not invited to submit a full application you will receive clearer,
more detailed feedback highlighting the areas that will need to be improved to
enhance your chances of going forward. Applicants can submit another application
when they are ready.

A full application form will need to be completed within four months. We will
take less time to assess your full application. We anticipate that if you are
invited to submit a full application you will have a much better chance of
success. Current programme success rate is 28 per cent.

Full details and to check for updates go to
http://www2.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_reaching_communities.htm?regioncode=-uk&status=theProg