The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) has launched the Change Makers Partnership. This is a £50 million programme that supports community leaders who are making a change in their communities across England.
This will run for five years. It will award grants of between £1 million and £5 million. NLCF expect to fund and work with up to 12 projects. NLCF want to fund work that: helps community leaders reshape their community’s future, help them make a wider impact, involve all community leaders from across communities and organisations and sharing lived experience, and more. For this grant, communities may be based on place, interest or solidarity.
A single organisation or an existing partnership can apply, provided the partners have already worked together.
Applicants must already have experience supporting community leaders, experience with people and communities facing poverty, disadvantage or discrimination, and established relationships with local organisations.
Applicants must operate in at least two regions of England. They must have a combined gross annual income of more than £1 million.
NLCF will accept applications from constituted voluntary and community organisations, registered charities, CIOs, not-for-profit companies, CICs, public bodies, community benefit societies, co-operatives, and colleges or universities.
The fund will not accept applications from: individuals, sole traders, organisations based outside the UK, and more. Check the website for more information.
The funding can cover direct project costs, including community leader expenses such as childcare, travel and time; translation; equipment; events; volunteer expenses; staffing; training; and more. It can also cover some indirect costs, including rent or insurance and portions of a salary for someone not working directly on the project (such as senior manager or admin worker).
The deadline for applications is 5 August 2026 (at 12pm).