The National Lottery Community Fund: Power in Purpose Report
Tags: Report
2nd August 2021
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2021 News report from charity news publication Charity Today
A report published by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, reveals the extraordinary social and economic impact volunteers make on communities. From charities supported through the grant maker in the past three years, almost two million volunteers have contributed an astonishing £4 billion to the UK’s economy.
The report, named Power in Purpose, reveals that the National Lottery Community Fund has awarded 4,200 grants to support volunteering in the past five years, amounting to almost £700 million in National Lottery, government and third-party funding.
1,500 of these grants, totaling £124 million, supported the volunteering response to COVID-19. This provided charities and community groups with vital volunteers to grapple with the impacts of the pandemic and gave individuals the opportunity to learn new skills and gain experiences, improving their employment prospects.
The number of volunteering grants The National Lottery Community Fund awarded between 2013 and 2019 increased by almost two thirds (64%), supporting more and more organisations to provide training, cover volunteer expenses and remove barriers, creating a better volunteering experience accessible for all. 94% of its grant holders involved volunteers in delivering their projects last year, highlighting their impact on communities and in the voluntary and community sector.
Volunteering has huge benefits, from improving people’s confidence and self-esteem to building their resilience and raising aspirations. It can also provide people with a sense of purpose and new friendships, reducing isolation and loneliness.
For the full report and executive summary pdf's please download the attachments.