030303 The Community Fund launches new website

3 March 2003

The Community Fund launches new website

The Community Fund today invites existing applicants and new ones to try out its new user friendly website at www.community-fund.org.uk

The website has been restructured to be more user friendly and to help visitors find their way round more easily.

New applicants and existing grant holders should find it focused towards their needs so that their questions can be answered immediately. The pre-application support has been improved for new applicants with an online eligibility checker.

For those who are curious about the Community Fund's work the search and reporting facilities have been updated so that it is easy to check what grant has been awarded where and when.

Following a survey of over 1,000 users, the new site has been developed by Community Fund staff and tested by a number of current customers.

Will Miller, Community Fund's Director of Resources said: "The new Community Fund website offers improved interactive features. There is an online eligibility checker and better search and reporting facilities on the award database so that people can see what we have funded where.

"Community Fund staff have worked hard to ensure that the site is more friendly and easier to navigate. We hope that many more people will visit it in the future and that it will answer many of the questions that might deter potential applicants.

"One of the most important changes we have made to the design of the site is the pre-application support. People will be able to find out before they apply for a grant whether or not they are likely to be eligible.

"I would like to thank all those customers who have provided input to the development of the new site and hope that others will like it."

Notes to editors

1. The Community Fund shares out money raised by the National Lottery to charities and to voluntary and community groups. Out of every £1 spent on the National Lottery the Community Fund gets 4.7 pence.

2. The legal name of the Community Fund remains the National Lottery Charities Board. The National Lottery Charities Board was set up in 1994 and changed its operating name to Community Fund - Lottery money making a difference in April 2001.

3. Since 1995 the Community Fund has awarded £2.4 billion to more than 54,000 projects. Full details are available on our website at www.community-fund.org.uk.

Media Enquiries

Jane Rogers on 020 7747 5352

	3 March 2003 The Community Fund launches new website
	The Community Fund today invites existing applicants and new ones to try out its new user friendly website at www.community-fund.org.uk The website has been restructured to be more user friendly and to help visitors find their way round more easily. New applicants and existing grant holders should find it focused towards their needs so that their questions can be answered immediately. The pre-application support has been improved for new applicants with an online eligibility checker. For those who are curious about the Community Fund's work the search and reporting facilities have been updated so that it is easy to check what grant has been awarded where and when. Following a survey of over 1,000 users, the new site has been developed by Community Fund staff and tested by a number of current customers. Will Miller, Community Fund's Director of Resources said: "The new Community Fund website offers improved interactive features. There is an online eligibility checker and better search and reporting facilities on the award database so that people can see what we have funded where. "Community Fund staff have worked hard to ensure that the site is more friendly and easier to navigate. We hope that many more people will visit it in the future and that it will answer many of the questions that might deter potential applicants. "One of the most important changes we have made to the design of the site is the pre-application support. People will be able to find out before they apply for a grant whether or not they are likely to be eligible. "I would like to thank all those customers who have provided input to the development of the new site and hope that others will like it." Notes to editors 1. The Community Fund shares out money raised by the National Lottery to charities and to voluntary and community groups. Out of every £1 spent on the National Lottery the Community Fund gets 4.7 pence. 2. The legal name of the Community Fund remains the National Lottery Charities Board. The National Lottery Charities Board was set up in 1994 and changed its operating name to Community Fund - Lottery money making a difference in April 2001. 3. Since 1995 the Community Fund has awarded £2.4 billion to more than 54,000 projects. Full details are available on our website at www.community-fund.org.uk.		Media Enquiries Jane Rogers on 020 7747 5352