The National Lottery Community Fund's Reaching Communities Programme is the largest funder of voluntary groups, organisations, projects and activity in the country. It's strategy is changing for 2024.

This training is useful if you are thinking about applying to this fund and want to find out about the application process and how to maximise your chances of success.

Reaching Communities is interested in supporting organisations that work with their community to help make positive changes. The programme offers multi-year grants of above £20,000. 

Voluntary and community organisations, schools, statutory bodies (including local authorities, health bodies, town, parish or community councils), and not-for-profit social enterprises are eligible to apply.

So how does it work?

• The session will use Zoom to create a virtual meeting room, where presentations and group interactive discussions will take place, just like they do in a traditional seminar room
• Access to a padlet of online resources
• Time scheduled for lunch and breaks.

This session will help you:

• Be clear what organisations and projects can be funded
• Learn how the application process has changed, and why
• Understand how applications are assessed
• Learn the common reasons for rejection
• Identify the benefits your project will deliver
• Decide how to consult beneficiaries about the plans and their implementation
• Properly cost out your budget.

This session is aimed at those planning to apply to this National Lottery Community Fund scheme.  The session will help you understand the programme and shape your application.

When:

Date: Thursday March 12th 2026
Time: 09.30 - 2.00pm
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Cost: £80.00 per person
Statutory Body/Individual Consultants: £160.00 per person
Venue: Zoom Virtual Classroom

PLEASE NOTE:
(A number of Free or Discounted Places are available for volunteer led groups in South Yorkshire. Please contact us for details enquiries@syfab.org.uk

Details of how to join the meeting will be emailed out the day before the training session to the email provided upon booking.

If you have never used Zoom before there is a useful online guide to it here.

Interested?

You must book a place through our website. Please register with the email address you would like the Zoom invitation sent to.

*Places on the session are limited; we will open up further dates if there is the demand. To register your interest in future sessions please contact andy@syfab.org.uk

We accept bookings using the following payment methods:

• Online using debit/credit card or Paypal account

The quickest and easiest way to book places is to book and pay instantly online using the online booking system in the box below. Select "Card/Paypal" for this option. Payment can be made by debit or credit card, or through your Paypal account if you have one. Your booking will then be confirmed immediately by email.

• Online followed by BACS

If you prefer to pay by BACS, you can provisionally reserve your place online by selecting "BACS / Cheque" on the payment screen. You then need to make a BACS payment using the details in the reservation email we send you. Please contact us if you are only able to pay by cheque. Once we've received your payment, we will confirm your place by email.

You can download our payment and cancellation terms and conditions here.