Do you have a question about the Veterans' Foundation?

• What is the Veterans' Foundation?

  The Veterans' Foundation is a charity that provides funds to charities and other organisations all over the UK that support serving and former members of the British armed forces, operationally qualified seafarers, and their dependants, who are in need. It acquires its funds through the Veterans’ Lottery and donations. The Veterans' Foundation primarily supports low and medium-wealth charities that need funds to continue their good work in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

• Are you a registered charity?

  The Veterans’ Foundation is registered as a charity in England and Wales with the Charity Commission (No. 1166953) and with OSCR in Scotland (No. SCO46571). Although the charity is not yet registered in Northern Ireland, you can still play the Veterans' Lottery and donate from Northern Ireland. The Veterans’ Foundation is a member of Cobseo (The Confederation of Service Charities) and Veterans Scotland. The charity is also registered with Companies House.

• I never hear from you

  Please inform our admin team that you wish to receive the Veterans’ Foundation’s monthly newsletter. Email: enquiries@veteransfoundation.org.uk

• How can I donate to the Veterans' Foundation?

  You can choose to donate to the Veterans' Foundation through a one-off donation or a monthly donation*. Make a donation here.
  
  You can also donate by post.
  
  Donations will be passed to those charities and organisations helping our armed forces and veterans who are in need.

*Thank you for your generous support of the Veterans’ Foundation. While your donation may appear on your bank statement as being processed in Chicago, we assure you that all funds stay within the UK. This is solely due to our payment processor, which is based in Chicago. We appreciate your understanding and commitment to supporting our Armed Forces Community who are in need.

The Veterans’ Foundation is very grateful for your donation.

To comply with the Charity Commission’s rules, we do not return a donation where the donor made a bad decision and was not in a vulnerable circumstance. However, if there is an occasion when you need to contact us to discuss your donation, please email fundraising@veteransfoundation.org.uk  

• What is the Veterans’ Lottery?

  The Veterans’ Lottery was established in July 2016 as a funding source to help members of the UK’s armed forces and veterans who are in need.
  
  
  

• Is the Veterans' Lottery genuine?

  The Veterans' Lottery is a legitimate lotto licensed and regulated in Great Britain by the Gambling Commission under account number 4547.
  
  We are licensed to trade our lottery under the 'Veterans Lottery'.
  
  More information about our Gambling Commission license can be found at the Gambling Commission website.
  
  
  

• When is the draw for the Veterans’ Lottery?

  The draw for the Veterans’ Lottery is the last day of each month.
  
  
  

• Will I be told if I win the Veterans’ Lottery?

  Yes, all Veterans’ Lottery winners are notified by phone or email. You can also check results here.
  
  
  

• What are the odds of winning the Veterans' Lottery?

  The odds of winning the Veterans' Lottery are 194 to 1. Every month 603 players can win a combined total of up to £96,000. These odds are as of May 2024. 
  
  
  

• Is my £10 a month qualified for Gift Aid?

  The money you give for your lottery membership doesn't qualify for Gift Aid because it is a fixed payment (where you are receiving your lottery entry in return for the money) as opposed to a donation.
  
  
  

• How much does the Veterans’ Lottery cost and what do I receive?

  The Veterans’ Lottery operates through subscribers committing to a monthly direct debit of £10. When you join, you will be sent a unique Veterans’ Lottery membership card bearing your name and number.
  
  The lottery draw takes place on the last day of each month and lottery winners are posted on the Veterans’ Foundation website soon afterwards. All winners are also contacted directly.
  
  In addition to the Veterans' Lottery membership card, you will be offered a complimentary Gourmet Society membership for as long as you sustain the Veterans' Lottery direct debit. This membership will not only save you up to 25% on food and drink at thousands of restaurants nationwide, but will also give you big discounts on takeaway pizza, movie rentals, cinema trips and experiences.
  
  Should you wish to use this service, you must activate the membership on receipt of your Veterans' Lottery documentation.
  
  
  

• What is the prize breakdown?

  Currently, the Veterans' Lottery has 603 guaranteed monthly prizes - the first prize of £7,000, the second prize of £3,500, third prize of £500 and 100 fourth prizes of £100. There are also 500 prizes of a free entry to the Veterans' Lottery worth £10 each. There is also a rollover prize that grows as the lottery grows. If the monthly winner’s rollover number matches that drawn by the random number generator, you win the rollover prize as well as the first prize. If the numbers aren’t a match, the rollover pot carries over to a maximum total prize of £75,000. 
  
  See Veterans’ Lottery Winners here.
  
  See Terms & Conditions here, or Rules of Play here.
  
  
  

• How has the Veterans’ Lottery grown?

  The Veterans’ Lottery was started in July 2016 and the first draw saw just 100 people take part with prizes of circa £8K. That meant in the very early months the lottery lost money but this was factored in the charity's forecasts.
  
  The losses were covered by donations from kind benefactors who believed that by year two the Veterans' Lottery will have established itself as one of the most important sources of funding for British veterans in need.
  
  The lottery now has over 120,000 players and we have distributed more than £20million in grants since we started to hundreds of UK-based military charities and organisations.
  
  
  

• What percentage of my Lottery membership goes to veterans?

  Our objective is to distribute at least 50% of our total lottery income to Good Causes. This compares favourably with other national lotteries which are close to 30%.
  
  Costs in running the Veterans’ Lottery to official guidelines include an annual remote and non-remote licence issued by the Gambling Commission, prizes, marketing, auditing, verification checks, data protection, creation and postage of membership packs and membership cards, Gourmet Society membership for all cardholders, secure website hosting and random number generators held in secure environments.
  
  
  

• How is the Veterans' Lottery sold?

  To keep costs to a minimum, and maintain the growth plan that ensures as many people as possible can be helped, the Veterans' Lottery is sold online on the Veterans' Foundation website, through active fundraising teams and advertised elsewhere through social media.
  
  
  

• Where can I find the results of the Veterans' Lottery and when is the draw made?

  The draw takes place in a secure environment on the last day of every month. It is made by one of two random number generators. The winners are posted here on the Veterans' Foundation website.
  
  Winners are personally notified and prizes are paid within five to ten working days.
  
  
  

• How many Veterans’ Lottery tickets can I have?

  You are allowed up to five Veterans’ Lottery tickets.
  
  
  

• Can I choose my own Veterans’ Lottery numbers?

  No, the Veterans’ Lottery numbers are automatically allocated and your numbers will be the same for every draw. Your lottery membership number is 5 or 6 digits long, you also have a rollover number which will be either 1,2 or 3. The Veterans’ Lottery rollover only comes into play for the 1st prize winner.
  
  
  

• How can there be a Veterans’ Lottery rollover every month?

  The Veterans’ Lottery rollover is a sum of money potentially available to the 1st prize winner. It accumulates each month that it isn’t won, so the value of the rollover can vary considerably.
  
  Each month, 3% of the ticket sales for that month's draw are added to the Veterans' Lottery rollover.
  The maximum pay-out (1st Prize and Rollover combined) is currently £75,000. As the 1st Prize is £7,000, the rollover is capped at £68,000.
  
  During the period the maximum rollover fund is unclaimed, a second rollover fund builds. This fund becomes active as soon as the first rollover pot is won.
  
  
  

• I signed up to the Veterans' Lottery weeks ago and have not received my card yet.

  You will have received an automated email upon joining, please check your spam/junk folder if it has not arrived.
  
  Veterans' Lottery cards can take up to three weeks to arrive, but if it has been longer than that, please email: enquiries@veteransfoundation.org.uk and our admin team will look into it for you.
  
  
  

• I want to change my address

  Please notify our admin team of any changes, email: enquiries@veteransfoundation.org.uk
  
  
  

• I need to inform you of a change to my bank details

  Please fill out this direct debit form and return to us either by post or email to enquiries@veteransfoundation.org.uk
  
  
  

• Can I change my Direct Debit date?

  Yes, the direct debit date is the 3^rd of every month for those who have signed up to play the Veterans' Lottery from the 12th September 2023, and the 20th of every month for all those who had signed up previous to that date. Should you wish to amend this you can do so by contacting us on enquiries@veteransfoundation.org.uk. 
  
  
  

• How can I cancel my Veterans' Lottery membership?

  You may close your account (and terminate your agreement with us) at any time by sending an email from your registered email address to enquiries@veteransfoundation.org.uk expressly requesting account closure. Please see the Veterans' Lottery Terms and Conditions for more information.
  
  
  

• I cannot log into my account

  We do not have the facility for our players to log in and access their lottery account. Should you need to update any information on your account, please contact our admin team at enquiries@veteransfoundation.org.uk.
  
  
  

• When will my first payment be taken?

  You should expect your first payment to be taken any time from the 3rd-5th of that month, this is down to how long your bank will take setting up the direct debit. You will then see the payment come out regularly on the 3rd, from the following month.
  
  
  

• I have not received my Welcome Pack

  Sorry about this - please note that our welcome packs can take up to three weeks to be delivered. If it has been longer than three weeks, please contact our admin team via email: enquiries@veteransfoundation.org.uk
  
  
  

• How do I know my money has been taken?

  The Direct Debit reference on your bank statements starts with “VFL”.
  
  
  

• I can’t put my payment details in

  Please try signing up using a different device or you can apply via post - please print out and fill in this form - if you are having further difficulties, please contact enquiries@veteransfoundation.org.uk
  
  
  

• I have not received a welcome e-mail

  Sorry about this, please email us at enquiries@veteransfoundation.org.uk and explain that you have not heard from us yet. We'll make sure you get your welcome e-mail.
  
  
  

• I don’t like putting my bank details online

  You can also sign up to play the Veterans’ Lottery via post, or call the office. Please print out and fill in this form and send it to the address found on the form, or call 0333 999 3899.
  
  
  

• Can I pay with cash?

  There is an option to play the Veterans’ Lottery via cheque, you need to complete the play by post form and send a cheque for £120. When the cheque clears you will be entered into the Veterans’ Lottery for 12 months.
  
  
  

• Why have I been called by 01312022772, 01312022779, 01312022786, 01312022795 or 01312022845?

  We attempt to call as many supporters as possible to ensure they are aware of what they have committed to, how the lottery works and how their kind support will help those in need.
  
  
  
  

For more information, please view our impact reports, found here.

The Veterans' Lottery is run in association with Bee Ethical Limited.

Bee Ethical Limited is licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission (licence number 044067-N-323193-009)

• What is the Veterans' Foundation Memorial Wall?

  The Memorial Wall is a national, online living tribute to the lives of the men and women, now deceased, who contributed to our country by serving in the British Armed Forces.
  
  

• What kind of tributes can be placed on the Memorial Wall?

  A place on the Wall honours the life of anyone who has ever served in the British Armed Forces, for any length of time, who has since passed away. The Wall is a tri-service memorial meaning it covers those who served in the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force. The Wall also honours those who served in the Merchant Seafarers

• Can those who served as reservists be included on the Memorial Wall?

  Yes, we owe a huge debt to reservists and they continue to play a vital role in the British Armed Forces.

• Who can place a tribute on the Memorial Wall?

  Anyone is welcome to place a tribute to a past Veteran on the Wall. We encourage family, friends, colleagues and members of the public to play their part by making sure that past Veterans known to them are given their place on the Wall.

• Do I have to pay to add a tribute to the Memorial Wall?

  We invite everyone adding a tribute to the Wall to make a donation if they can afford to do so, but we don’t want any past Veterans to be excluded so there is always the option to add a tribute without making a donation. For those kindly leaving a donation there is the option to make a one off gift, or a monthly gift of remembrance.  

• Why do you ask for donations?

  The funds we raise through donations help us to maintain and administer the Wall securely, but more importantly, your generous gifts to the Wall help us support today’s military Veterans in the most need. (For more information about the help the VF gives to vulnerable Veterans please see here) 

• What information do I need to place a tribute?

  You will be asked for basic information about the Veteran you wish to honour. Name, Rank (if known) together with your relationship to the person. If you know their date of birth, and the date on which they passed away, you will also be invited to include these. You will also be asked to upload a photo of your hero (or send one to us if submitting by post)

• Can I leave any other information?

  You are warmly invited to leave as much information as you wish about the life of the person you are honouring with a tribute. Both military and personal details and stories are welcome. You will also be invited to leave a message of your choice on your tribute.

• What else can I do to ensure a ‘living tribute’

  Once you have created your tribute there are a number of ways to continue to honour your hero (or any other person included on the Wall):
  • 1. You can revisit as many times as you like and leave new messages, just visit the Wall, click on your chosen person and then click on ‘write a tribute’.
  • 2. You can encourage family, friends and colleagues to leave their own messages on your tribute as in (1) above
  • 3. You (or family. friends and colleagues) can light a virtual candle on your chosen tribute. Just visit the Wall, click on your chosen person and select ‘Light a Candle’. (For candles we ask for a modest donation). Candles stay alight for a month when accompanied by a one-off donation, or permanently if a monthly gift is given.

• What if someone posts a tribute of my family member and I would like it removed?

  There may be occasions when a challenge is made against a memorial. The challenge should be made via email to memorialwall@veteransfoundation.org.uk. This will automatically pause the memorial, removing it from view until a resolution can be found.

• If the memorial is vandalised by incorrect information, should I contact you?

  There may be occasions when a challenge is made against a memorial. The challenge should be made via email to memorialwall@veteransfoundation.org.uk. This will automatically pause the memorial, removing it from view until a resolution can be found.

• Can I add multiple heroes to the Memorial Wall at the same time?

  Yes, you can add as many tributes as you like

• How do I get my free gift?

  Your free gift is a membership to the Gourmet Society. You will receive a unique code that gives you access to the Gourmet Society on the letter you have received with your Veterans’ Lottery card. Download the Gourmet Society App to your phone and enter the code. You can also use the link found on the letter and enter the code online or use this link.

• If I cancel my Veterans’ Lottery membership will my Gourmet Society membership continue?

  No. Your Gourmet Society membership is only valid for as long as you are a member. If you sign up to Gourmet Society via the website your discount card will only last 12 months, membership on the app lasts for as long as you play the Veterans' Lottery.

• I can’t see what restaurants near me accept the Gourmet Society card.

  Click here to see what restaurants accept the Gourmet Society card and discover more about the discounts your Gourmet Society membership can unlock.

• Who can apply for a grant from the Veterans’ Foundation?

  The Veterans’ Foundation has established a substantial grants programme to support charities and organisations (eg CIC limited by guarantee) that provide support to those in need among serving armed forces personnel, veterans, operationally qualified seafarers and their immediate families. 
  
  We support a wide variety of projects such as those that reduce homelessness, increase employment, provide welfare and medical support, increase confidence and social integration, as well as reducing dependence on alcohol and drugs.
  
  Visit our “Apply For a Grant” tab, and read our detailed guidance for organisations bidding for grants.

• How do the Veterans’ Foundation Trustees decide what charities receive a grant?

  The trustees will consider any grant application that is helping past or present members of the British Armed Forces, operationally qualified seafarers, and their immediate dependants, who are in need. We support charities, community interest companies and other organisations that are conducting charitable activity.
  
  Start-ups need to provide a competent business case and the Veterans' Foundation grants should not be used to develop profit. The wealth of different organisations and the amount of funds we have available will play a part in who obtains a grant.
  
  Visit our “Apply For a Grant” tab, and read our detailed guidance for organisations bidding for grants.

• When does the Veterans’ Foundation allocate grants?

  There are various funding programmes and the submission deadlines vary depending on the programme. See our “Apply For a Grant” tab for specific submission deadline dates.
  
  The board may also accept non-routine applications in exceptional circumstances (e.g. for needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic). Please send an email to grants@veteransfoundation.org.uk to see if the board will consider reviewing a non-routine grant application in your exceptional circumstance.
  
  Visit our “Apply For a Grant” tab, and read our detailed guidance for organisations bidding for grants.

• What is the largest Veterans’ Foundation grant I can ask for?

  Currently, there are three grant funding programmes available:
  
  1) Standard Grants of any sum up to a maximum of £30K may be awarded. Trustees will also consider a bid for a spread grant up to a maximum of £30K, i.e. £30K as £10K for each of the next two or three years.   
  
  2) Salary Grants of any sum up to a maximum of £25K per year for three years (ie maximum £75K) for the exclusive use on salaries may be awarded. In some cases, the grant award may be limited to one or two years and qualified grantees may reapply at a later date for additional funding. 
  
  3) Major Grants of between £100,000 and £200,000 are available. This can be for one year or a multi-year grant for up to three years.  These grants are awarded where the case is particularly strong and benefit to beneficiaries is closely aligned with the VF objectives.
  
  Visit our “Apply For a Grant” tab, and read our detailed guidance for organisations bidding for grants.

If you need further advice, send your query to grants@veteransfoundation.org.uk or call us on 0333 999 3899.

• How much of Veterans’ Foundation money goes to the veterans?

  The Veterans’ Foundation gains the vast majority of its income from the Veterans’ Lottery. The costs of running the Veterans’ Lottery (including lottery management, marketing and prizes) are paid from lottery receipts. The surplus is used to pay the charity running costs and to fund grants to organisations supporting veterans and their families.

  During the year ended 30 June 2022, 5% of the surplus from the Veterans’ Lottery was spent on the charity running costs and 90% was used to fund grants. The remaining 5% was retained and may be used to cover unexpected costs or to fund grants in the future.

  We receive donation income from individuals and corporations. We aim to give 100% of donations from individuals to organisations that are helping members of the armed forces community who are in need. We use some of the donations from corporations to fund the costs of donation fundraising.

  The Veterans’ Foundation’s audited accounts are publicly available on a number of sites, including the Charity Commission, OSCR and Companies House.