The National Lottery Community Fund’s Change Makers Grant programme is offering up to 12 grant of between £1 million and £5 million for projects that run for 5 years to fund organisations in England that can support community leaders who are making change in and for their communities. In exceptional cases, projects may run for 3 or 4 years, rather than 5.
The deadline for applications is midday (12 noon) on Wednesday 5th August 2026.
Grants are available for work that:
o Enables community leaders to shape the future of their communities.
o Involves community leaders across communities and organisations – including those from under-represented groups and those with lived experience.
o Helps community leaders make an impact on wider systems (known as systems change), and
o Shares what they learn with the sector and other projects the National Lottery Community Fund supports.
Applications may be made by individual organisations or partnerships, providing they:
o Operate in at least 2 regions of England, and
o Have a combined gross annual income of more than £1 million.
o Are one of the following types of organisation:
> Constituted voluntary or community group.
> Constituted group or clubs.
> Registered charity.
> Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
> Not-for-profit company.
> Community Interest Company (CIC).
> Statutory or public body.
> Community Benefit Society.
> Co-operative.
> Colleges or university.
To be eligible to apply, applicants will be expected to demonstrate that they have:
o Experience supporting community leaders.
o Experience working with places, people, and communities facing poverty, disadvantage or discrimination, and
o Established relationships with organisations working at a local level.
Further information, guidance, an online presentation about the programme and details about how to apply is available on the National Lottery Community Fund website.
