The text below has been taken directly from the Department For Culture, Media and Sport's leaflet 'THE NATIONAL LOTTERY: What's in it for you?', which is freely available from National Lottery retailers. Just to be clear, although this is an unauthorised copy of the leaflet, I am in no way claiming any ownership of, or credit for, the following text, which has been reproduced here solely for the benefit of my visitors.
The National Lottery was established to raise money for good causes to benefit communities throughout the UK. These are: arts; sports; charities; heritage; projects to celebrate the Millennium; and initiatives in health, education and the environment. A separate organisation distributes money for each of these good causes.
From every £1 spent on a Lottery ticket, 28p goes directly to the good causes. By the end of October 1998, more than £6.3 billion had been raised for them.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is the, Government department responsible for the National Lottery. OFLOT (to be replaced in April 1999 by the National Lottery Commission) is responsible for regulating the National Lottery. Camelot plc are the current operators of the Lottery.
Any group with a good cause project can apply for Lottery funding. But remember, funds are limited and you should seek advice from the relevant distributor before applying. They are:
The Arts Council of England
14 Great Peter Street, London SW1P 3NQ
(0171) 312 0123
Arts Lottery money is spent on a wide range of projects, including the construction and refurbishment of arts venues, arts activity and public participation in the arts.
The English Sports Council
16 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1H 0QP
0345 649 649
Sports Lottery money is spent on buildings, pitches and equipment, talented athletes of all ages, world class sporting events and a variety of other projects.
Heritage Lottery Fund
7 Holbein Place, London SW1W 8NR
(0171) 591 6041
Funding is available to protect and enhance the heritage, including museums, galleries, historic buildings, the countryside and parks. Grants are also given to promote access, understanding and involvement with the heritage.
The Millennium Commission
Portland House, Stag Place, London SW1E 5EZ
(0171) 880 2030
Funds for capital projects are now largely allocated, but Millennium Award schemes - for individuals wanting to develop themselves as well as working for the community, and the Millennium Festival Fund - for community grants of up to £5,000, are both still open.
The National Lottery Charities Board
St Vincent House, 16 Suffolk Street, London SW1Y 4NL
(0171) 747 5299
The Charities Board gives grants to groups which help those at greatest disadvantage and which improve the quality of life in the community. The main grants programmes are Community involvement and Poverty and Disadvantage.
The New Opportunities Fund
Dacre House, 19 Dacre Street, London SW1H 0DH
(0171) 222 3084
There is also a new Lottery distributor.
The New Opportunities Fund (NOF) has been established to support new health, education and environment projects. The first three are healthy living centres; out of school hours activities; and training for teachers and librarians in information and communication technologies. NOF will begin to make grants early in 1999. By the end of 1999, it will have launched three new initiatives on green spaces and sustainable communities; cancer treatment and care; and lifelong learning.
The National Lottery is changing - responding to the views of those who play and those who apply for funds. New rules allow Lottery 'good cause' distributors to meet the needs of their areas more effectively. These changes:
Many projects cover more than one good cause area so distributors in England plan to work together on Awards for All, a one-stop shop service for grants of up to £5,000 for community groups. A trial was launched in the East Midlands in November 1998 with the scheme extended to the rest of England in Spring 1999. If you are in the East Midlands, call 0845 600 2040 for further information.
If you have any general enquiries about the Lottery contact:
Department for Culture, Media and Sport,
2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH
(0171) 211 6200
Website address: www.culture.gov.uk
Email address: lottery@culture.gov.uk