The National Lottery has extended the deadline for submissions for this year’s National Lottery Good Causes Awards until this Friday, April 1st.
The total prize fund for the National Lottery Good Causes Awards is €130,000. Each of the 35 finalists will win €1,000 when they are announced at the National Finals stage this summer.
At the awards ceremony later this year, each of the seven category winners will receive €10,000 and the overall Good Cause of the Year will win an additional €25,000.
Sport is one of the seven categories alongside Health and Wellbeing, Arts and Culture, Heritage, Community, Youth Affairs and the Irish Language.
Minister Michael McGrath was in attendance at the launch event of the Awards which took place at the Museum of Literature Ireland, along with members of the 2021 overall winning group, Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub.
“The National Lottery Good Causes Awards provide the perfect opportunity to both recognise and highlight the amazing work being carried out by groups all over the country,” he said.
“Too often, the efforts of our local clubs or voluntary groups may go unnoticed and we may not be aware of the organisations working tirelessly for the benefit of our communities.”
“It’s important and highly necessary to bring attention to the inspirational individuals, sports clubs, organisations and projects who make such a positive contribution to our society and impact the lives of many.”
“The National Lottery Good Causes Awards provide the space for Good Causes beneficiaries to reflect on all that they have achieved over the last number of years and enter the awards to allow themselves the opportunity to have their wonderful work celebrated.”
The National Lottery’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Shane Dempsey, was delighted for the Good Causes Awards to be entering into their fourth year and looks forward to bringing attention to the admirable Good Causes beneficiaries later this year.
“The last two years have undoubtedly been challenging for the nation and throughout this time, individuals, groups, organisations and clubs have carried on and made such a positive difference to the lives of those around them,” added Shane Dempsey, Head of Corporate Affairs at the National Lottery.
“All of us here at the National Lottery are delighted to be able to create an opportunity to shine a light on the incredible achievements of our beneficiaries.”
Individuals, community projects and organisations who received Good Causes funding between the years 2017 and 2021 are eligible to apply. Applications for the Awards are now open and beneficiaries can enter and check eligibility at www.lottery.ie/goodcausesawards.
Nearly 30 cents in every €1 spent on all National Lottery games goes back to Good Causes in the areas of sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts, heritage, and the Irish Language.
In total, more than €6 Billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery was established 34 years ago. In 2021 alone, €289 million was raised for local Good Causes in communities across Ireland.
