Postcode Lottery announces biggest ever dream fund
The People’s Postcode Lottery has revealed its giving away £2 million, with one lucky charity scooping £1 million.
Applications for its 2016 Dream Fund grants programme are now open with two runners up to be awarded £500,000.
Charities and community groups across Britain are encouraged to apply by explaining what their dream project would be if they had the money to carry it out.
Projects must fit with one or more of the six charitable purposes including community development, environmental protection, health, human rights, participation in sports or prevention in poverty.
We couldn't have done it without winning the Dream Fund and without the players of People’s Postcode Lottery
Announcing the fund Clara Govier, head of charities at People's Postcode Lottery, said: "In challenging times for the charitable and voluntary sector, I am very proud to today launch The Dream Fund 2016 Award.
“The players of People’s Postcode Lottery have helped bring to life the opportunity for charities and community groups to make possible the project they have always dreamed of, but could not fund.”
Over the last six years Dream Fund has invested more than £3.2m in over 18 projects. This year’s fund is the biggest ever awarded.
Previous winners of the annual fund include Missing People, Energy Gardens and WWF Scotland.
National charity Missing People used its funding to work alongside Parents and Abducted Children Together to develop an enhanced child rescue alert system.
Based the amber alert system in the USA, it enables anyone signed up to receive a text, email or pop-up in the event of a child's abduction.
Jo Youle, chief executive of Missing People, said: “This was a project we had always dreamed of and something that could save children’s lives.
“Put simply, we couldn't have done it without winning the Dream Fund and without the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
“We currently have over 309,000 people signed up to receive alerts, helping us to raise the alarm when the worst happens."
Currently 55p from every £2 People's Postcode Lottery ticket is awarded to charity – a recent increase to 27.5%. To date, players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised almost £80 million for more than 1500 charities and good causes across Britain and globally.
Applications for Dream Fund 2016 open on 17 August and close on 22 September 2015. Winners will be announced in January. To download the application form, visit: postcodedreamtrust.org.uk.
