The UK Government is inviting charities, community organisations and members of the public to help shape the future of National Lottery Good Cause funding through a new national call for evidence.
This is the first major review of National Lottery Good Cause funding in more than 20 years, giving organisations and communities the opportunity to influence how funding is distributed, who it reaches and how it can better support local priorities.
Why this matters
Since the National Lottery launched in 1994, players have raised more than £53 billion for good causes across the UK.
That funding has supported everything from community centres and youth projects to grassroots sports clubs, heritage organisations, arts programmes and thousands of charities delivering services in local communities. Around 23p of every £1 spent on a National Lottery ticket goes towards funding good causes.
For many organisations across Leeds’ voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, National Lottery funding has helped deliver projects, build organisational capacity and improve the lives of local people.
Now, the Government wants to hear directly from the organisations and communities that understand local needs best.
What is the Government asking?
The consultation is looking at how National Lottery funding can better reflect today’s priorities.
It wants feedback on:
- what is working well
- what could be improved
- where future funding should be focused
- how funding can become easier to access
- how funding can better reach communities experiencing the greatest need
- how local people can have a stronger voice in decisions about where funding is invested.
The review also comes at a time when National Lottery operator Allwyn has committed to increasing Good Cause funding from around £30 million to £60 million each week by 2034, making it even more important that future funding reaches the communities where it can have the greatest impact.
An opportunity for the third sector
Forum Central members have first-hand experience of what helps communities thrive and where barriers to funding still exist.
Whether you’ve received National Lottery funding, struggled to access it, or supported communities through Lottery-funded projects, your experience can help inform future policy.
The consultation is open to charities, community organisations, social enterprises, Lottery players and members of the public aged 16 and over. Responses from organisations and individuals are welcome.
How long do you have?
The consultation opened on 1 July 2026 and closes at midday on Wednesday 23 September 2026.
That means there are just over two months remaining to respond (from today’s date, 20 July 2026).
The online survey takes approximately 15–20 minutes to complete, and you can save your progress and return later if needed.
Have your say
Complete the consultation
National Lottery Good Causes: Fund What Matters to You
