Charity Grants


Bailiwick charities invited to apply for a grant from Christmas Lottery

The Association of Guernsey Charities has launched the grants programme for the 2019 Christmas Lottery.  Each year, the proceeds from the draw are used to help local charities with their projects and services in the year ahead.

It is less than two week until the 2019 Christmas Lottery Draw, which this year guarantees a top prize of £1 million.  However, for local charities, the lottery holds a far greater importance as it raises many thousands of pounds each year for local good causes.

The Association of Guernsey Charities, which handles the charity application process, is recommending that local organisations review their funding requirements for 2020 and, if necessary, submit an application for a grant. 

Malcolm Woodhams, Chairman of the Association of Guernsey Charities, said “the States of Guernsey made several changes to this year’s Christmas Lottery with the key aim of increasing the amount of money raised for local charities. They recognise that local organisations provide huge amounts of good work throughout the Bailiwick, and the traditional Christmas draw is a superb way for the AGC to fund a wide variety of these projects that benefit the wider community.”

The 2018 Christmas Lottery raised £218,118 for charities in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.  This enabled the AGC to provide funding to 40 local projects, with grants ranging from £400 to over £26,000.

Charities interested in applying for a grant can find more details and an application pack on the Association of Guernsey Charities website – www.charity.org.gg.  Charities must be locally registered, and the grant must be for a project or service that will be delivered in 2020.

Applicants need to complete an application form, and provide their full accounts, together with any background information detailing why the grant is required.  To cut down on the considerable amount of paperwork which has historically been generated with lottery applications, the AGC has changed the application form so that charities can submit their application and supporting documents by email.

Malcolm Woodhams explained “in the past we have asked charities to send two copies of each item that they submit.  However, we have reviewed our processes, and the new electronic application will be far more efficient as well as more environmentally friendly.  The application form features the same questions, and we have ensured that the form is simple and straightforward as we want to encourage applications from as many organisations as possible.  Every application is read and evaluated by each of the Association’s 10 Council Members, prior to us meeting to discuss and compile a shortlist of potential recipients.  Whilst this process takes a considerable amount of our time, it is thorough and fair.”

Charities have until the 31st January to submit an application.  If organisations have any questions they should firstly contact their AGC sector representative who will be able to provide assistance.

Tickets for the Christmas Lottery are still widely available around the island, and the Association of Guernsey Charities is grateful to everyone who has supported this year’s lottery.  The draw will be on Thursday 19 December, and shown live on Channel Television.


Download Christmas Lottery grant application pack


Please read the new instructions before completing the application form.  You will need to submit the form and all documents by email.