Facility Development and the National Lottery
The largest capital contribution into sport projects in the country at the moment is the proportion allocated to sport from the funds raised through the National Lottery.
The Lottery Sports Board, formed to administer the funds via Sport England, has laid down criteria which every organisation has to adhere to when applying for Lottery sports funds for community sports facilities.
The Big Lottery Fund is the only recipient of money from the Wednesday Lottery draw and its three themes are Health, Environment and Education and as such it provides funds for school facilities which primarily benefit the pupils.
The Kent Sport Leisure and Olympics Service can provide advice and assistance to organisations with project design and development, and ultimately with applications to the National Lottery. It should also be noted that the Service can advise on other sources of funding.
Kent Sport Leisure and Olympics Service Advice Regarding the National Lottery
The Unit can:
- Help organisations in Kent, including those in the public, private, voluntary or education sector, to ensure the aims and objectives of their projects are matched to the criteria laid down by the Lottery Sports Board, Big Lottery Fund and other funding organisations.
- Help to identify other areas of funding to contribute towards the partnership funds required.
- Advise on the additional relevant information which will help to show that the project is both -feasible and viable, through supplying guidance documents on the production of feasibility studies and development plans etc.
- Provide documents which will guide the applicant to show that the project envisaged is of sufficient quality.
- Provide information on strategic and technical issues which will help the Lottery Sports Board and Big Lottery Fund come to a decision about the project.
- Help the applicant organisation to complete the application form, ensuring that all the questions asked are answered in a manner which will limit the need for the Lottery Sports Board or Big Lottery Fund to seek further information.
- Advise on the design of the project (if it is construction of a new building or alterations/adaptations of an existing building).
Stages to Follow in Producing a Bid for Lottery Funds for Sports Projects
1. Contact the Service in writing with initial information about the project.
2. The Service will advise which other potential partners should be informed about the project, and who may be able to supply partnership funds and supporting letters.
3. Depending on the size of the project, you will be advised to produce drafts of various documents which may include the following: Feasibility Study Development Plan Business Plan Project Brief
4. The Service will comment in writing, or at a meeting with the project instigator, on the various documents.
5. The organisation then applies for the appropriate Lottery Application Pack.
6. The organisation should complete drafts of the application form, with the Unit advising on the most appropriate responses to make.
7. The organisation should adjust application drafts and other support.ing documentation.
8. The organisation submits the application for Lottery Funds.
