About Small grants in Northern Ireland

The National Lottery Charities Board's Small Grants Scheme is specially designed for small groups for whom small sums of money could make a big difference. Grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available for a wide range of projects and activities, with minimum paperwork and a quick assessment process. The scheme opened in August 1998 and to date we have awarded over £1,000,000 to almost 300 groups.

To be eligible, groups must have an annual income of less than £15,000. There is no time limit for applications to the Small Grants Scheme and awards are made regularly throughout the year. Our dedicated Small Grants Team; Maura O�Kane, Amanda Pawar and Oonagh McGill, will be happy to help by providing any guidance a small group may need.

In addition, if you are involved in a small voluntary group, community group or charity, the Millennium Festival Community Awards Scheme could provide between £500 and £5,000 to help you celebrate the Millennium. Grants are announced regularly. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2000.

Under the Millennium Festival Community Awards Scheme the Charities Board welcomes applications from projects which have been created to celebrate the Millennium. Although other Millennium projects will be considered, priority will be given to cross community activities involving people from disadvantaged groups and communities.

The National Lottery Charities Board Small Grants criteria will apply to Millennium applications; full details are given in the application pack.