Manx Lottery Trust announces ‘Here when it matters’ as 2026 Thematic Funding focus

Manx Lottery Trust has opened applications for its 2026 Thematic Funding programme, ‘Here when it matters’.

As the delegated partner of The National Lottery Community Fund, the Trust is inviting applications from local charities, not-for-profit groups and community organisations providing vital support at a time of growing demand and financial pressure.

This year’s funding will support organisations that are there when people need them most, helping them strengthen existing services, respond to increased demand or make new support possible.

What could £25,000 make possible for your organisation? Could it help you:

  • Fund another counsellor?
  • Increase the number of people you can support?
  • Train more volunteers?
  • Extend your opening hours?
  • Reach a community you cannot currently support?
  • Buy equipment or create a suitable space?
  • Respond to increased referrals?
  • Develop a new service?
  • Improve how you measure outcomes?

The Trust is encouraging applicants to think: ‘What could we do?’

David Christian MBE JP, Chairman of Manx Lottery Trust, said the theme had been shaped by conversations with local organisations over the past 12 months, which highlighted rising demand, increased running costs, fundraising pressures and staffing challenges.

He said: ‘Local organisations are facing a difficult combination of rising demand and rising costs, yet they continue to be there when people need them most. Through ‘Here when it matters’, we want to help them strengthen or extend that support. Whether funding could help you employ another counsellor, train volunteers, extend opening hours, reach a new community or develop a service, we want organisations to ask: what could £25,000 make possible?’

Applications for a Thematic Funding Award must be submitted by Friday 1st January 2027. Grants of between £2,501 and £25,000 are available for projects running over 12 months, with a total of £150,000 available for distribution.

More information on the criteria and application process can be found on the Manx Lottery Trust website.