Magic Little Grants 2021

2020 was our biggest programme to date, seeing us distribute £500 grants to 938 charitable organisations delivering sports or physical activities across the UK. With the support and contributions from the players of the People's Postcode Lottery. 45% of groups who received Magic Little Grants were brand new organisations to our platform.

We are delighted to announce that our 2021 programme promises to be even bigger and better than ever. This programme is now live and accepting applications until 31st October 2021 (application deadline). Not only are we partnering with our usual funding trust, Postcode Community Trust, but we are also partnering with 5 additional funding trusts to distribute £1m pounds worth of funding to 2,000 charitable organisations on Localgiving.

This year we will be funding over double the amount of organisations that we ever have before and we will still be spreading this funding out far and wide across the country. Not only this, but we have expanded our eligibility criteria. In previous years, funding had to go towards projects that were delivering sports or physical activities. But this year funding can go towards any of the below projects:

· Improving mental wellbeing

· Enabling community participation in the arts

· Preventing or reducing the impact of poverty

· Supporting marginalised groups and promoting equality

· Improving biodiversity and green spaces

· Enabling participation in physical activity

· Responding to the climate emergency and promoting sustainability

· Increasing community access to outdoor space

If your organisation is carrying out a project within these themes, make sure to get your applications in as the campaign is now live. The application process is short and simple, taking 10 minutes to complete. Each organisation may only apply once in 2021.

In order to apply for the funding, organisations are required to meet the following criteria:

· You must have an annual income under £250,000.

· Your planned project must meet one of the funding themes listed above.

· Operating within England, Scotland, or Wales – Please note that organisations operating in Northern Ireland are not eligible to apply.

Groups who meet any of the following criteria are NOT eligible for the grant:

· Organisations that have previously been funded by a Magic Little Grant, or any other trust funded by players of People's Postcode Lottery that have not yet finished the project/activity.

· Organisations that have previously delivered a project funded by a Magic Little Grant or any other trust funded by players of People's Postcode Lottery that have not yet completed their monitoring/evaluation form.

Examples of projects that we cannot fund:

· Run by statutory organisations

· Medical treatment

· Foreign travel

Once you have completed your registration with Localgiving, you will be directed to the grant application form, which should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete. If you are successful with your funding request, you will also benefit from a free annual membership with Localgiving, funded by the People's Postcode Lottery.

The application process will be open until 31st October 2021.

In order to join Localgiving, your organisation must meet the following criteria:

· Charitable objectives

· Have charitable aims that are not solely for the advancement of religion

· Community focus

· Operate on local / regional community initiatives and not be a national charity

· Local

· Have a UK bank account

If your Magic Little Grant application is successful and you're a new member (i.e. you don't have an existing Localgiving account), alongside the £500 grant you will also be awarded a year of free membership (funded by the player's of the People's Postcode Lottery) meaning you will not have to pay the £80 + VAT membership fee, but you will still be required to set up a direct debit upon registration. All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application, regardless of whether they are successful or not, within two months of their submission.

Please note that this year charitable organisations that are schools or connected to schools are eligible to receive funding. Groups in Northern Ireland are not eligible to apply for this funding.

https://localgiving.org/about/magic-little-grants/