Arts Council England - National Lottery Project Grants

National Lottery Project Grants is Arts Council England's open-access funding programme designed to support a wide array of arts, libraries, and museums activities. This initiative provides financial backing to individual artists, community groups, and established cultural and library organisations operating across England. The grants offered range significantly, from GBP 1,000 up to GBP 100,000, making it accessible for projects of various scales. Funds can be allocated to diverse project types, including but not limited to community library initiatives, comprehensive reading and literacy programmes, and engaging arts activities specifically tailored for children and young people. This funding stream presents a particularly strong fit for the library and art components of start-up Saturday schools or after-school programmes, as it explicitly allows both individuals and small community groups—not exclusively registered charities—to apply. Prospective applicants are advised to allocate sufficient time to meticulously complete a detailed application, which must thoroughly describe the proposed project's activities, articulate its artistic or cultural quality, and clearly outline the public benefits it aims to deliver.

Apply online via the National Lottery Project Grants application portal on the Arts Council England website; review the full guidance library before applying, since requirements vary by grant size. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with regular deadlines throughout the year.