Funding boost for Torbay community groups as lottery grants reopen

The Torbay Lottery Small Grants Fund has opened for applications, with local community groups invited to bid for funding of up to £2,000.

The fund is open until 4pm on Friday 6 March 2026 and is supported by players of the central Torbay Lottery Fund, who have helped raise £12,000 for the 2025/26 Small Grants Fund pot.

Torbay Council is encouraging charities, voluntary organisations and community groups across the bay to apply. Grants are intended to support the costs of specific activities or the purchase of equipment.

Since its launch in 2017, the Torbay Lottery Small Grants Fund has distributed £101,136 to local causes over the past eight years.

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Councillor Jackie Thomas, Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture & Events and Corporate Services, said:

“Torbay Lottery has been helping our local communities to raise additional funding since 2017. We have already given out £101,136 from the Torbay Lottery Small Grants Fund over the past eight years and would really like to see new local groups applying this year so that we can benefit even more residents.

“We want to encourage as many local groups as possible to join our Torbay Lottery. It is an easy and fun way to help raise monthly funding, with support from pre-designed marketing materials and a dedicated page on our Torbay Lottery website.”

Good causes receive 50p from every ticket sold for their cause, and there is no cost for organisations to sign up as a Torbay Lottery good cause. There are currently 159 local causes registered, with more than £291,414 raised since the lottery was launched.

The highest-earning causes last year included South Devon Cats Rehoming, which raised £1,404, PATH and Torbay National Coastwatch Institution, both raising £1,222, and Friends of the Vigilance of Brixham, which raised £1,014.

Applications to the Small Grants Fund do not require organisations to be an existing Torbay Lottery good cause, although applicants must meet the criteria set out in the funding policy. Successful applications must demonstrate a defined impact that supports the ambitions and vision of Torbay’s Community and Corporate Plan, with Torbay residents being the main beneficiaries.

The Torbay Lottery panel will meet after the closing date to decide which organisations will receive funding, with successful applicants being notified within six weeks.

Further information about the Small Grants Fund and how to apply is available at torbay.gov.uk/torbaylottery or torbaylottery.co.uk. The Torbay Lottery can also be followed on Facebook.