National Lottery good cause funders unveil new brand

Big Lottery Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund to embed The National Lottery in identity

The two largest organisations that distribute money raised for ‘good causes’ through the sale of National Lottery tickets have today unveiled refreshed brands that make a clearer link between playing the National Lottery and the good causes that benefit.

The Big Lottery Fund, the UK’s largest community funder, changes its name today to The National Lottery Community Fund – a move announced in September last year. They are joined by the Heritage Lottery Fund, which from today will be known as The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Both organisations have also unveiled refreshed brand identities that incorporate The National Lottery’s highly recognisable crossed-fingers.

Each year, the organisations invest hundreds of millions of pounds, raised through the sale of National Lottery tickets, in a range of community and heritage projects. By aligning their brands more closely with The National Lottery, both organisations hope it will help players to better understand the difference they make when they buy a ticket. This move underlines ambitions to see returns to good causes grow.

The brand refresh of the two funds kicks-off The National Lottery’s 25th anniversary year. The first draw took place in November 1994 and since then, more than £30million has been raised each week for a variety of good causes.

Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Jeremy Wright, said: “Over the past 25 years, The National Lottery has raised over £39 billion for good causes. It has helped to improve the lives of millions of people and protect and promote our precious heritage.

“Good causes have always been at the heart of The National Lottery and this new brand will make that link even clearer. I hope it encourages more people to play and make a positive difference.”

Dawn Austwick, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “National Lottery funding for good causes changes lives. As the largest community funder in the UK, we see the amazing achievements of thousands of people-led projects every year. From social groups for young carers to baking classes for the older generation, from craft workshops in rurally isolated areas to support sessions for new parents, communities are thriving thanks to The National Lottery. By deepening the connection between players and the great projects they are supporting, we can make sure more people understand the incredible difference they make across the UK.”

Ros Kerslake, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s CEO, said: “In 25 years The National Lottery has transformed the UK. Historic high streets and public parks have been revitalised; native wildlife has been protected; our museums and cultural attractions are now world-class; and stories and memories have been preserved. But beyond the millionaires it’s created, many people simply aren’t aware of its impact on our daily lives. By putting The National Lottery brand front and centre of our own, we hope to help change that.”

The National Lottery Community Fund

The National Lottery Community Fund (previously the Big Lottery Fund) has been working to put people and communities at the heart of its grants since introducing its People in the Lead Strategic Framework in 2015.

Last year alone it gave out over half a billion pounds (£508.5 million) of National Lottery funding to community projects across the UK. Over 11,000 projects benefitted from this, enabling people and communities to bring their ideas to life.

While revealing its new logo today, the Fund expects that its old logo may continue to be used for some time as the many small grassroots and projects it funds switch across as and when they are creating new print materials. The Fund has communicated to groups to support them in updating digital materials and to reassure them that they can continue to use previously printed materials or merchandise until they are ready to order new ones.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has invested almost £8billion in UK heritage projects, large and small. It believes that understanding, valuing and sharing our heritage brings people together, inspires pride in communities and boosts investment in local economies.

The announcement of its new identity comes ahead of the unveiling of its next strategic National Lottery Funding Framework that sets out its priorities for the next five years.

The Fund will continue to invest in a wide range of heritage projects across the UK, large and small. It aims to Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future.

More information about its funding priorities will be available from 30 January 2019. To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk