This fabulous award will help with our next phase of growth
We’re overjoyed to share that the Edward Hain Centre has been awarded a £172,000 National Lottery Community Fund award! This will provide funding for two new staff members, as well as contributing to running costs – which, in turn, will help us stride into our next phase of growth.
It’s also a cause for celebration – of course! – coming as it does just weeks before our planned 2nd birthday Community Open Day at the Centre. The timing couldn’t have been better! You can read more about our plans for the day HERE.
How did this happen?
The award comes after months of hoping and waiting. Grants are not simple to apply for – and the larger they are, the more complicated! This is because funders understandably want evidence that they are funding a project which is viable, so want to see a stringent business plan along with lots of information.
So no easy task . . . but thanks to hours of hard work over several months of our director, Sharron Goldingay, and our fundraising strategist Samantha Peters, who began the application at the end of 2024 (yes, it takes that long). . . success!
Fundraising heroes Sharron and Samantha
Where does National Lottery Funding come from?
The funds are provided by players in the National Lottery, which has several funds it awards to charities. Two years ago, before our opening, they gave the Centre £10,000 from the Lottery’s ‘Awards for All’ fund.
This was for startup costs, and helped towards our celebratory Open Weekend just after the building’s purchase. It also contributed to initial renovation costs.
Grants are very specific in what they fund, and the funds have to be used for the purpose for which they’ve applied, and nothing else. So, for example, this new grant cannot be used for building costs or paying down any of our mortgage, funds for which will need to come from elsewhere. What it will begin funding very soon, however, is two new staff members, which will assist us in our growth; and help towards running costs.
EHC’s Grand Opening weekend, September 2023 (Photo: Sally Harvey)
Thank Yous
🔸 Massive thanks, of course, to both Sharron and Samantha for their hard work and determination in making this happen.
🔸 Thank you too to the millions who play in the National Lottery, providing over half a BILLION pounds each year (yes, you read right…) for over 37,000 projects. Every one of you makes a difference in the lives of so many.
🔸Last but not least, our heartfelt gratitude to the National Lottery Community Fund for deeming us worthy! Seeing their acceptance letter, beginning ‘We are going to fund your project!’, was a – if not the – high spot of our year!
We can’t wait to get started on our next phase of growth. . .
