The National Lottery Community Fund and the Consortium of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Voluntary and Community Organisations (Consortium) are launching a new £800,000 partnership, which will support under-represented and marginalised LGBT+ communities.
The LGBT+ Futures: Equity Fund (the Fund) is a two-year partnership that will help community-led and grassroots LGBT+ groups overcome some of the barriers they face accessing funding and support.
The partnership is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, and was made possible thanks to National Lottery players who raise £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.
The Fund will make £465,000 available in small grants to help build capacity and strengthen community-led and grassroots organisations, while the remaining funding of over £320,000 will support development in the sector and share learnings, as well as increase collaboration between LGBT+ groups.
LGBT+ groups and organisations who are working across five key thematic areas are eligible to apply for grants between £100 and £25,000. This includes community-led organisations working with D/deaf and/or Disabled people, Older people, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans+ Women, Trans and Non-Binary people, and those experiencing racial injustice. Community Panels made up of leaders and decision-makers from diverse, intersectional and targeted LGBT+ communities will decide which groups will be awarded.
Alongside the grant funding, organisations working across these five areas will receive a range of additional support to further reduce the barriers to funding, which many diverse LGBT+ organisations experience. This includes being equipped to apply for funding, leadership and organisational development, and fundraising support.
Paul Roberts OBE, Consortium CEO, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding and to be distributing £465,000 in small grants to grassroots and community-led groups on behalf of The National Lottery Community Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.
“Working in partnership is central to what we do at Consortium so having co-produced this Fund with a range of diverse LGBT+ organisations makes launching this fund extra special. We want to see LGBT+ communities invested in and not just funded. We look forward to the change we can bring about through this investment.”
John Mothersole, Chair of England Committee at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with Consortium to deliver this much-needed funding, thanks to National Lottery players. Together, with its expertise, the funding will help to improve the lives of many marginalised LGBT+ people across the country, enabling them to prosper and thrive. We look forward to seeing the positive impact the grants will make to the future of grassroots and community-led LGBT+ groups and their important work.”
For groups interested in applying to the LGBT+ Futures: Equity Fund, guidance and application details can be found at: consortium.lgbt/EquityFund