Charities fight for lottery funds
Last Updated: Thursday 24th September 2020, 12:40
It’s been well reported that government funding has been cut to many areas, and this has left many volunteer groups struggling and wondering what the future will bring. This is the reason cited for the third increase in applications to the good causes fund as charities fight for lottery funds in difficult economic times. Council services are shrinking due to the cutbacks, putting even more on the doorstep of charities, who are now looking to the National Lottery for help.
Peter Wanless, Chief Executive of the Big Lottery Fund has warned charities in a statement this week than an unprecedented number of applications to the good causes fund, means some may be disappointed. Competition is likely to be stiff for lottery funding, and this may mean that some voluntary services will miss out, even if they have received money before.
Of course, the increase is offset by record lottery sales this year, but not completely. There is still a shortfall between the amount of charitable organisations needing money, and charitable funds in the good causes fund. This is likely to always be the case, but it does mean that charities are feeling the pinch, and from more than one direction.
When you buy lottery tickets, 28p in every £1 you spend goes to the good causes fund, helping you do your bit for charities and good causes around the UK! So if you’re buying extra lottery tickets for the triple rollover on Wednesday evening, then you’ll be helping out these voluntary services around the UK too.