An unprecedented number of applications to the Big Lottery Fund (BLF) have resulted in the provision of an extra £100m of funding, the lottery distributor has announced today.

Since the decision earlier this year to close the BLF’s voluntary and community funding programme in order to make way for new grants, it has experienced a 123% increase in applications in comparison to the same period last year.

Sir Clive Booth, chair of the BLF, said: “We have a received a huge number of applications for funding under our voluntary and community funding programmes, for which we are very grateful. This extra funding will allow us to support as many of the best projects as possible and benefit communities across the country.”

In addition, the deadline for decisions on applications has been extended from November 2005 to February 2006.

The new portfolio of programmes for England will be launched from autumn this year, with details of programmes for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to follow at a later date. For regularly updated information on the funding opportunities available, visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/publications.htm