In 2011, the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) ran a pilot scheme with the Manchester Evening News where we offered small grants funding that was publicised by the paper and decided by public vote. We also contributed funding for small grants to the London Evening Standard through its Dispossessed Fund in 2012.
We’d like to build on the successes of these two schemes by offering funding across England that can:
- raise the profile of BIG in areas that are underfunded by us at present
- increase public awareness and applications from people or communities that BIG has so far been unable to fully represent
- encourage groups who have never applied to us before to do so
- develop strong and mutually beneficial relationships with local press.
Once again, we want to use local newspapers to publicise and engage communities in the funding available but we are looking for a national delivery partner with the experience and capability to help us distribute this funding.
The principles of the delivery approach will be as follows:
Funding will be made available to eight areas across England this year.
Each England region will be represented with the exception of London because of our existing relationship with the London Evening Standard.
Depending on the demand and relative success of this scheme, we may consider running a similar programme next year with different local newspapers
A single local paper will run a campaign in each area.
We have already had preliminary discussions with eight potential newspapers, and have identified others in case those we have so far approached are unable to participate this year.
There is at least £2 million available.
We will initially allocate each area around £250,000, which may vary depending upon the demand for funding.
Each area will seek applications for community-based projects costing between £10,000 and £30,000.
This reflects our ambition to fund projects that will:
- help talented people make their ideas a reality
- allow people to develop and use their skills more
- enable people and groups to work together
- give groups who have never applied for BIG funding before a simple and accessible opportunity to do so.
The funded projects will be decided by a voting competition run by each participating local paper.
The competition aspect of this funding is to be agreed with each individual paper and may run differently in each area depending on the volume, range and size of projects.
We are looking for a delivery partner to roll out this programme.
Organisations that are considering expressing an interest in this opportunity must be able to deliver the following requirements as they will form the basis of the service level agreement with the successful partner:
1. Supporting potential applicants by providing advice and guidance whilst seeking out those groups who are new to BIG funding to encourage them to apply. This should be done in line with managing demand appropriately to ensure a sufficient and manageable number of high quality applications are received.
2. Managing the application process through:
- designing an appropriate application form
- distributing and receiving all application forms
- assessing applications against agreed criteria
- recommending the strongest applications to a decision making panel.
3. Promoting the campaign more widely than the local paper using local networks and communications channels to ensure high public awareness
4. Facilitating a decision making panel with representation from BIG, the local paper and members of the community.
5. Adapting the delivery approach for each area, in consultation with BIG and the local paper, which may include devising themes, flexible funding amounts, head-to-head voting, bonus or discretionary awards.
6. Providing project information about shortlisted and awarded projects (and other projects as appropriate) for BIG and the local newspapers to use.
7. Receiving and counting voting slips in line with agreed requirements, where all counts are officially verified.
8. Managing the grant set-up and management process through:
- awarding the successful projects
- providing feedback and further support to unsuccessful applicants
- monitoring and evaluating how successful awards are spent
9. Sharing learning by providing information to BIG on all projects awarded, including basic grant information and also examples of good practice or case studies to allow BIG to maximise on the impact of this funding.
10. Identify local cross-sector opportunities to secure additional support and funding for successful projects to add value to BIG’s funding.
BIG will retain responsibility for:
1. Leading the relationships with local newspapers to agree the campaign in each area. This will start from the initial approach and continue throughout the process to ensure the papers have everything they need to fully commit to the campaign.
2. Promoting the campaign through BIG’s broad communications channels to ensure maximum awareness and impact.
3. Contacting key stakeholders including MPs at the outset of each campaign to ensure they are aware of the opportunity in their area.
4. Agreeing all copy and branding relating to the promotion of each campaign within the areas and through other channels.
5. Agreeing the local delivery plan with each paper to ensure the timing and coverage in each area is appropriate and in line with our expectations.
6. Continuing to manage the relationships with each paper after the initial announcement of the selected projects to gain wider coverage.
7. Providing signposting and local briefings on alternative BIG funding to unsuccessful groups where required.
Campaigns will launch in each area over a one-month window during June 2013. This gives some flexibility to individual newspapers, and also spreads the demand on resources from BIG and the successful delivery partner. Campaigns will close between September and October 2013.
The local delivery plan for each campaign will vary depending on the discussions with the individual papers, but would be broadly based on a 14 week timeline:
- Weeks 1-4: Public announcement in each paper and application window for groups to apply.
- Weeks 5-8: Assessment window.
- Week 9: Best projects shortlisted by a decision-making panel.
- Week 10: Shortlisted projects informed and content prepared to feature in local newspapers.
- Weeks 11-12: Shortlisted projects feature in their respective local paper over a set period. Public voting takes place, which may consist of daily coupons for readers to vote for their favourite projects.
- Week 13: Voting is counted and verified. Winning projects determined and any bonus or discretionary awards agreed with us.
- Week 14: Winning projects announced in newspapers and unsuccessful projects directed to other funding where appropriate.
Expression of interest stage
Organisations that can meet the timescales and requirements set out in this guide should complete an expression of interest form, which is available on the website or on request. This form asks for information that will help us to quickly identify whether there is the relevant experience, capacity and connections to deliver Local Papers on our behalf.
Expressions of interest must be submitted by email to: mick.mcgrath@biglotteryfund.org.uk by 12 April 2013.
By 19 April 2013 we will let applicants know if they are being invited to the second stage of the process.
Full application stage
Organisations that are successful at the expression of interest stage will be invited to prepare a full application, which will require them to explain in detail how they would deliver the programme in partnership with us.
Full applications must be submitted by email mick.mcgrath@biglotteryfund.org.uk by 3 May 2013.
We will contact these applicants if we need any more information. We expect to make a decision on the delivery partner by mid-May.
What makes a good expression of interest?
We are looking for a deliver partner who can:
- Deliver the specified responsibilities noted above to a reasonable cost. We will ask for detailed costs at the full application stage.
- Demonstrate that they have an existing regional and local presence with established links across England.
- Show that they have substantial experience in supporting local community, voluntary and not-for-profit groups, leveraging in support and other funding where appropriate
- Demonstrate experience of grant making, from initial design of application materials, promoting the opportunity, identifying potential applicants, managing demand, assessing applications, making awards and providing follow-on support
- Demonstrate that they will have sufficient capacity over the summer of 2013 to carry out their specified responsibilities and successfully deliver the programme in 8 local areas.
What else do I need to know?
If you have any enquiries about this funding please email mick.mcgrath@biglotteryfund.org.uk
For any other general enquiries about Big Lottery Fund or our funding, please get in touch:
Phone: 0845 4 10 20 30
Email: general.enquiries@biglotteryfund.org.uk
Help with communication
If you have a hearing impairment you can contact us using a textphone on 0845 6 02 16 59.
We can send you this publication in other formats, such as large print or audiotape.
We will also try to help with other communication needs. Just let us know how we can help you.