Demand for services is expected to increase and BIG is planning its £50million cash injection in response to be awarded before the end of the financial year, bolstering the sector as it deals with the developing impact of funding cuts.

As part of the funding package, BIG has made £17million available to fund an additional 650 charitable and community projects through its two main open grants programmes, Reaching Communities and Awards for All. The grants, which have been made to a range of projects from family support schemes to employment and debt advice services, are designed to help the sector meet increased demand for support from communities and individuals most in need.

Over the next few months, BIG will also be offering grants of up to £10,000 to close to 1,000 existing BIG grant holders in the last 18 months of their projects to review the way they work and explore ways of becoming more sustainable.

Activities could include developing a more effective operating model, partnership working, or finding new ways to deliver activities in future. Projects that are having a particularly significant impact will also receive an additional year’s worth of funding to continue their project and carry out plans to make their projects more sustainable in the long term.

All eligible grant holders will be sent an e-mail about applying to the Supporting Change and Impact fund this week with details of how they can apply, so keep an eye on your inbox.

Go to http://bigblog.org.uk/2011/10/25/lottery-50m-to-shelter-vcs-from-funding-cuts/  to read the full press release.