BIG Lottery Funding

Investing in Ideas Fund

This programme was relaunched in July 2010 with a few changes to the previous programme, the most significant being that they have removed the requirement that ideas must fit with an Investing in Communities Investment Area.

What is the funding for?

Investing in Ideas awards grants of £500 to £10,000 to test and develop ideas that could eventually become fully-fledged projects or lead to improved service delivery. The fund could pay for the things that can turn your basic idea into a well-planned project including:

•market research
•feasibility studies
•business planning
•training for your committee
•exchange visits in the UK to see how other projects work
•community consultation
•professional advice
•technical reports and scheme design studies

How much money is available?
Projects can apply grants ranging from £500 to £10,000.

Who can apply?
A range of organisations can apply, including voluntary and community sector groups, social enterprises, charities, local authorities and health bodies, companies limited by guarantee and community councils.

When to apply
At any time

How to apply
You can download an Application Form and email or send it in. For a wealth of further information including a link to the Guidance Notes click here.

contact details

Information Team on 0300 123 7110 or email

Key words: Feasibility study, business planning, study visits, community.