The National Lottery Community Fund has announced two significant funding programmes designed to strengthen community leadership and support organisations working with under-represented communities.
The newly launched Step Forward Fund aims to help grassroots organisations led by and supporting Global Majority and racially minoritised communities move from smaller grants to larger, longer-term funding opportunities. The programme is targeted at groups that have previously received £20,000 or less from The National Lottery Community Fund between April 2023 and March 2026, have made an unsuccessful application to the Reaching Communities programme during the same period, and are looking to grow their work and impact.
To apply, organisations must either attend the webinar on Monday 13th July or speak with the programme team before submitting an application. More information can be found on the National Lottery Community Fund website.
Looking ahead, the Fund will also launch the Change Makers Fund, a major investment programme offering grants of between £1 million and £5 million over periods of up to five years. The programme will support organisations that help community leaders create positive change in their communities, particularly by involving people with lived experience and those from under-represented groups. The fund will focus on strengthening community leadership, influencing wider systems change, and sharing learning across the voluntary and community sector.
More information can be found on the National Lottery Community Fund website.
