Nominate Someone in Your Community for a Small Grant:

Powered by the TPO Community Lottery and Our Members

What is the nomination process?

Your choir nominates someone local → TPO reviews applications → your choir fundraises → support is delivered quickly.

When it’s your choir’s month, you’ll have a 5-day window to send up to three nominations for anyone who genuinely needs a helping hand.

When the window closes, TPO HQ reviews the nominations, selects one or more based on need and impact, and then works with your choir to grow the grant pot through lottery ticket sales and fundraising.

The more your choir raises, the bigger the difference you can make.

Who can I nominate for a community micro grant?

You can nominate:

• Individuals facing hardship or specific challenges
• Small informal groups like craft circles or parent support groups
• Grassroots, unregistered community efforts that would benefit from a small boost

Nominations must come from current singers or instrumentalists of The People’s Orchestra Charity, including members of The People’s Show Choirs, The Rusty Player’s Orchestras and The People’s Big Band, and the nominee must be connected to your choir’s local area.

To keep things fair, nominations cannot be accepted from:

• Registered charities
• Community Interest Companies (CICs)
• For-profit organisations
• Statutory services
• Political or religious groups

Where Does the Funding Pot Come From?

Your choir powers the support.

Our funding pot (the money we allocate to our community micro grants) comes from:

• TPO Community Lottery ticket sales promoted during your choir’s month
• Any extra fundraising activities your group decides to run

Every ticket sold strengthens your chosen nominee. Every share, every donation, every conversation helps build a bigger impact.

How Do I Nominate Someone?

When it’s your choir’s turn, you fill in the online form opposite (it takes under five minutes).

You’ll be asked for:

• The nominee’s name and contact details
• A brief explanation of why this person needs support and how the grant will help
• The amount requested (£50–£500)
• Confirmation that the nominee knows and agrees that their details can be shared confidentially with TPO’s grants team
• Agreement that, if awarded, the nominee can provide a short testimonial and photo so your choir can celebrate the impact you helped create

All information is handled with care and protected in line with TPO’s data policies.

What Happens After You Submit? Our Process:

• TPO HQ reviews all nominations once your 5-day window ends
• We select one or more nominations based on need, positive impact, and fairness across the programme
• Approved nominations move straight into the fundraising phase with your choir
• Grants are issued quickly to ensure support reaches the nominee when it matters most

You’ll receive updates as the process moves forward so your choir can see the difference in real time.

What Will Successful Nominees Receive?

• A grant between £50 and £500, provided in the most appropriate way for their situation:

  • Bank transfer, or
  • Voucher, or
  • Essential items or support purchased directly by TPO

  Every grant also comes with a warm message thanking your choir for their generosity and community spirit — because this support happens because of you.

Why Do Community Micro Grants Matter?

This programme is part of The People’s Orchestra’s commitment to strengthening communities through music and kindness.

Your choir isn’t just a place to sing — it’s a force for good, a hub of compassion, and a powerful reminder that small acts can change lives.

Be Ready for Your Choir’s Month

You’ll receive reminders ahead of your nomination window opening.

In the meantime, you can:

• Think about people or groups who might need support
• Talk to your choir friends about ideas
• Check with potential nominees that they’re happy to be put forward

Your voice doesn’t just fill a room — it can lift someone up.

What Is the Purpose of the Grant?

We want to provide meaningful, practical support. Grants can help with things such as:

• Everyday Support & Cost of Living Help –little help with everyday things—like food, heating, clothes, or paying bills. For example: Paying for weekly food shop vouchers, a warm winter coat, help with heating bills, or a one-off contribution for essentials like a mattress or bedding.​

• Health, Disability & Mental Wellbeing Support – facing an illness, disability, or mental health challenge and needs support. For example: Funding a mobility aid, transport to medical appointments, counselling session fees, or joining an accessible fitness class.​

• Crisis Response & Emergency Help –  someone who needs help during a difficult or emergency situation. For example: Covering emergency accommodation for a night, a supermarket voucher after a house fire, a replacement phone for someone fleeing domestic violence, or urgent travel costs to visit a loved one in hospital.​

• Community Inclusion & Belonging – someone who just wants to feel part of a community, welcomed and included. For example: Paying choir or group membership fees, tickets to a community event, materials for an art or craft session, or transport to a social group or choir rehearsal.​

• Personal Experience or Tribute-Inspired Action – someone who has turned their own personal challenge into something positive for others. For example: Funding the printing of leaflets to raise awareness, running a tribute activity like a memorial walk, buying equipment for a small support group, or covering the cost of refreshments for a peer-led get‑together.​