The Big Lottery Fund [1] is responsible for distributing 40 per cent of all the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery. In the 2014–15 financial year, it awarded more than £1 billion to projects with a social mission. It believes that ‘people should be in the lead in improving their lives and communities’ [2]. In particular, Big Lottery Awards for All is an ongoing programme offering grants of £300–£10,000 for grassroots and community activity that aims to improve life for local people and neighbourhoods across the United Kingdom. It is open to community or not-for-profit groups, parish or town councils, health bodies or schools, and funding can be for hosting events, running training courses, setting up pilot projects or groups, carrying out repairs, or expenses/pay [3]. The Reaching Communities grants programme is for grants over £10,000 [4].