Black Thrive secures £5 million from The National Lottery Community Fund to scale systemic change and strengthen community power
We are proud to share that Black Thrive Global has been awarded £5 million from The National Lottery Community Fund to deliver our new five-year programme: Thriving Futures – Scaling Systems Change.
This milestone represents both recognition of our community-led work and a critical opportunity to build on lessons learned. Scaling Systems Change will tackle the root causes of inequalities that Black communities face in relation to mental health, scaling what we have tested and learned locally in Lambeth, Haringey, and Birmingham to achieve UK-wide impact through Black Thrive Global, with the ambition to extend our work into Wales and Scotland.
More than funding: a platform for UK-wide impact
We see this funding as far more than a grant. It is a powerful acknowledgment of the importance of lived expertise, a commitment to anti-racism, and community-driven innovation. It gives us the opportunity to deliver on the vision that communities have been building with us for years, strengthening infrastructure, embedding systemic change, and demonstrating that Black-led organisations are essential drivers of local and national transformation.
What Scaling Systems Change will do
Through collaboration with statutory bodies, researchers, funders, local leaders, and, most importantly, our communities, the programme will:
- Challenge systemic racism and redesign structures that disproportionately disadvantage Black communities.
- Elevate community voice and co-create solutions grounded in lived experience.
- Invest in sustainable models that improve mental health, education, employment, and wellbeing.
The first year of Scaling Systems Change will be deliberately designed to consolidate learning and shape long-term impact. While £5 million is significant, it is not limitless, and we remain focused on ensuring the investment is used with care, intention, and accountability.
Voices from across the Collective
Souci Frissa, CEO of Black Thrive Global, said:
“Scaling Systems Change is about transformation at every level. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can build on what we’ve learned with our communities and create lasting change.”
Lilian Latinwo-Olajide, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Systems Change, added:
“This funding allows us to accelerate collaboration across localities and UK-wide—ensuring that systemic racism is actively challenged and sustainable change is achieved. At the same time, we see this as part of a wider call to reimagine how Black-led organisations are resourced and valued across the UK.”
Damilola Bamidele, Head of Programme Delivery, Black Thrive Lambeth, added:
“We extend our sincere thanks to National Lottery players and The National Lottery Community Fund for supporting Scaling Systems Change. Their commitment enables us to embed a robust foundation for UK-wide systemic reform, rooted in community voice, leadership development and evidence-based practice. This support helps us advance anti-racism frameworks, empower Black communities and foster long-term partnerships that drive meaningful and lasting change across public systems.”
Lynette Charles, Black Thrive Haringey Lead, said:
“In Haringey, we have a history of community activism, and we’ve seen that systems change only happens when communities are at the centre, leading from the front. Thriving Futures – Scaling Systems Change means we can build on this progress and take our learning to a national level.”
Sandra Griffiths, Black Thrive Birmingham Lead, said:
“Birmingham has a powerful legacy of community-led innovation and grassroots activism. This programme enables us to strengthen our local efforts and amplify our voice within a national movement committed to dismantling systemic racism. Together, we’re not just dreaming of change—we’re making it visible, lasting, and rooted in the communities we serve.”
With thanks
Work like this cannot happen without acknowledging the labour and commitment behind it. We would like to personally thank our portfolio officer, Lisa Wells, for her tireless support, guidance, and clarity throughout this process, as well as the partners who have supported us on this journey.
We also want to acknowledge the effort and care involved in securing funding. Applying for and stewarding grants requires significant time, thought, and reflection. For us, this process was not only about securing resources but also about considering what it means to work with funders who are committed to equitable, transparent processes and who take active steps to mitigate risk in partnership with communities. This award marks a timely recognition of that effort, and we look forward to continuing to work alongside The National Lottery Community Fund to deliver this important programme and ensure it creates lasting impact for Black communities across the UK.
Should you wish to hear more about Thriving Futures – Scaling Systems Change, please contact us at global@blackthrive.org.