Arts, Culture & Heritage Grants & Funding
There are 628 UK funders offering grants for arts, culture & heritage charities, with typical awards from £100 to £1,150,000.
The UK has a rich ecosystem of arts, culture, and heritage funding. Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, Arts Council of Wales, and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland provide public funding, while a wide network of trusts and foundations supports independent arts organisations and creative projects. Grants range from core funding for established cultural institutions to small project awards for emerging artists and community arts groups. Heritage funding covers historic buildings, archives, museums, oral history, and intangible cultural heritage. The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, and Garfield Weston Foundation are major arts funders alongside more specialist trusts. Participatory arts — projects where communities actively create rather than just consume culture — have seen strong funder interest. Many grant-makers value arts projects that deliver social outcomes alongside cultural ones: improving mental health, building community cohesion, or engaging marginalised groups. Rural touring, digital arts, and diversity in cultural leadership are current funding priorities.
Quick Stats
- Total Funders
- 628
- Grant Range
- £100 - £1,150,000
- Open to Applications
- 54%
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Clear filtersFilters use programme details verified from each funder's own published guidance. Funders we haven't verified yet are listed separately below, never hidden.
Arts, Culture & Heritage Funders
61 of 628 match your filtersChecked against verified programme data for 117 of 628 funders. 511 not yet verified are listed below; 56 that don't fit were excluded.
Anthem. Music Fund Wales
Matching programme: Atsain Fund
Anthem. Music Fund Wales, established in 2020 by the Welsh Government and Arts Council of Wales, is a pioneering endowment designed to transform acces...
Architectural Heritage Fund
Matching programme: Project Development Grants (PDG) - Scotland
The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF), a UK-registered charity founded in 1976, champions the conservation and sustainable reuse of historic buildings...
Art Fund
Matching programme: Jonathan Ruffer curatorial grant
Art Fund, established in 1903 by Christiana Herringham and visionary artists and patrons, champions the acquisition and preservation of outstanding ar...
Arts Council England
Matching programme: National Lottery Project Grants
Arts Council England is the national development agency championing arts, museums, and libraries, rooted in a post-war vision to advance creativity fo...
Arts Council of Northern Ireland
Matching programme: Artists International Development Fund (AIDF)
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI), established in 1962, is the principal public funding body for the arts in Northern Ireland, distributing ...
Arts Council of Wales | Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru
Matching programme: Arts, Health and Wellbeing
Arts Council of Wales (Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru), established by Royal Charter in 1994, is the principal national agency championing the arts across W...
Book Trade Charity
Matching programme: Career guidance grants
The Book Trade Charity (BTBS), founded in 1837 by and for the UK publishing, bookselling, and book distribution sectors, serves as an essential safety...
Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Matching programme: Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd 2026-28
Bòrd na Gàidhlig, established by the Scottish Parliament under the 2005 Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act as an executive non-departmental public body, l...
Brewers' Company General Charitable Trust
Matching programme: Brewers' Research and Education Fund
The Brewers' Company General Charitable Trust (BCGCT), administered by the historic Brewers’ Company—dating to the 13th century with a Royal Charter f...
British Academy for the Promotion of Historical Philosophical and Philological Studies
Matching programme: International Fellowships
The British Academy, formally the British Academy for the Promotion of Historical, Philosophical, and Philological Studies, is the United Kingdom’s na...
British Film Institute
Matching programme: BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund
The British Film Institute, established by Royal Charter in 1933, leads UK efforts to advance film, television, and moving image culture through prese...
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, UK Branch
Matching programme: Short Term Conference and Travel Grant to Students and Young Academics in Armenia
The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation UK Branch, established in 1956 from the bequest of Armenian oil magnate Calouste Gulbenkian, is a London-based arm ...
Clore Duffield Foundation
Matching programme: Clore School Trips Programme
The Clore Duffield Foundation, born from the merger of visionary philanthropic legacies, drives transformative opportunities through excellence, innov...
Continuo Foundation
Matching programme: Continuo Foundation Awards
Continuo Foundation, established in September 2020 by UK music professionals led by chair Pelayia Tina Vadaneaux, is a charitable organisation dedicat...
Dr Radcliffe's Trust
Matching programme: Heritage & Crafts Scheme
Dr Radcliffe's Trust, one of Britain’s oldest independent grant-makers established in 1714 by Oxford physician Dr John Radcliffe, advances learning, h...
Elmgrant Trust
Matching programme: Individual Grants
The Elmgrant Trust, family-founded in 1936 by Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst and Beatrice, carries forward the Dartington Hall ethos of rural regenerati...
Elmley Foundation
Matching programme: Main Programme
The Elmley Foundation is an independent grantmaking charity rooted in perpetuating the historic tradition of arts, crafts, and design from Madresfield...
Equity Charitable Trust
Matching programme: Educational Grants
Equity Charitable Trust, founded in 1989 by Equity—the trade union for performance professionals—is an independent UK grant-making charity dedicated t...
Feisean Nan Gaidheal
Matching programme: Fèis Development Fund (Stòras Leasachaidh nam Fèisean)
Feisean Nan Gaidheal, an independent Scottish charity established in 1991, serves as the umbrella body for the Fèis movement, which originated over 40...
Framlingham Foundation Trust T/A The Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation
Matching programme: Grant Application Form 2025
The Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation advances music opportunities for young people under 18 in Suffolk by providing targeted grants to remove finan...
Freelands Foundation Limited
Matching programme: Learning Through Making Fund
Freelands Foundation is a UK charity dedicated to ensuring universal access to visual arts education and participation, empowering individuals regardl...
Gerald Finzi Trust
Matching programme: Finzi Scholarship
The Gerald Finzi Trust, established in 1969 by the family and associates of English composer Gerald Finzi, perpetuates his music, ideals, and legacy t...
Glasgow City Heritage Trust
Matching programme: GCHT's Training Grants
Glasgow City Heritage Trust is an independent charity with a foundational mission to safeguard, repair, and promote Glasgow’s historic built environme...
Glaziers Foundation
Matching programme: Ashton Hill & Lever Grants
The Glaziers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass—a City of London Livery Company founded in the...
Help Musicians UK
Matching programme: Fast Track Award
Help Musicians UK, founded in 1921 as a UK charity in memory of tenor Gervase Elwes with Sir Edward Elgar as its first president, is dedicated to the ...
Holkham Charitable Foundation
Matching programme: The Holkham Charitable Foundation
The Holkham Charitable Foundation embodies a legacy of family-led stewardship and social responsibility, established to champion local philanthropy as...
Idlewild Trust
Matching programme: Arts - Nurturing Early-Stage Professionals
Idlewild Trust is an independent grant-making charity with a foundational mission to advance education and learning by nurturing creative talent throu...
James Pantyfedwen Foundation (Ymddiriedolaeth James Pantyfedwen)
Matching programme: Postgraduate Student Grants
The James Pantyfedwen Foundation (Ymddiriedolaeth James Pantyfedwen), established in 1998 as the successor to trusts founded by Sir D J James, is a Wa...
John Ellerman Foundation
Matching programme: Main Grants programme (2025-2030 strategy)
The John Ellerman Foundation, established in 1971 by John Reeves Ellerman with wealth from shipping, brewing, and other industries—acknowledging its h...
Keith Howard Foundation
Matching programme: Emergency Fund
The Keith Howard Foundation is an independent charitable trust founded in 2008 with a mission to create lasting societal change and positive impact in...
Leche Trust
Matching programme: Performing arts grants
The Leche Trust, an independent UK grant-making charity founded in 1950 by Angus Acworth CBE, champions professional excellence in performing arts and...
Letchworth Civic Trust
Matching programme: Further Education Grant
Letchworth Civic Trust, established in 1914 as a company limited by guarantee, is a longstanding grant-making charity rooted in Letchworth Garden City...
Maria Bjornson Memorial Fund
Matching programme: General Arts Grants
The Maria Bjornson Memorial Fund, established in 2008 to honor the legacy of acclaimed theatre, ballet, and opera designer Maria Björnson—best known f...
Marsh Christian Trust
Matching programme: Grants Programme
The Marsh Charitable Trust (formerly Marsh Christian Trust), established in 1981 by Brian Marsh OBE, is a UK-based funder dedicated to sustaining smal...
Mayor of London's Fund for Young Musicians
Matching programme: Intermediate Scholarships
The Mayor of London's Fund for Young Musicians, trading as the London Music Fund, is an independent charity established in 2011 with the Mayor as Patr...
Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust
Matching programme: Local Grants
The Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust is an independent Welsh grant-maker founded to harness the legacy of the Millennium Stadium for enhancing qual...
National Funding Scheme
Matching programme: DONATE™ Digital Fundraising Platform
The National Funding Scheme is a pioneering UK charity founded to revolutionize charitable fundraising through cutting-edge digital technology, democr...
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Matching programme: National Lottery Grants for Heritage £10,000–£250,000
The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the UK's largest dedicated heritage funder established in 1994 (with roots in the 1980 National Heritage Memorial ...
NHS Lothian Charity
Matching programme: Course, Travel and Accommodation Funding
NHS Lothian Charity, the official charity of NHS Lothian, traces its roots to 1902 via the former Lothian Health Board Endowment Fund, adopting its cu...
P H Holt Foundation
Matching programme: Action on Abuse Fund
The P H Holt Foundation is a legacy-driven grantmaker rooted in over a century of philanthropy aimed at improving everyday life for Merseyside residen...
Pilgrim Trust
Matching programme: AIM Pilgrim Trust Collection Care Grant
The Pilgrim Trust, established in 1930 by American philanthropist Edward S. Harkness with a £2 million endowment, is an independent UK grant-making ch...
Postcode Neighbourhood Trust
Matching programme: Postcode Neighbourhood Trust Community Grants
Postcode Neighbourhood Trust, a Scottish-registered charity and company limited by guarantee funded exclusively by People’s Postcode Lottery proceeds,...
Postcode Places Trust
Matching programme: Postcode Places Trust Grant Programme
Postcode Places Trust, a Scottish-registered charity (SC049115), channels funds raised through the People's Postcode Lottery to empower small charitie...
Prince Philip Trust Fund
Matching programme: General Grants
The Prince Philip Trust Fund, established in 1977 by Sir Christopher Aston to honour HRH The Duke of Edinburgh's service during the first 25 years of ...
Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust Limited
Matching programme: Building Arts Programme
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), established in 1990 as the charitable arm of the Royal Warrant Holders Association to celebrate its 150t...
Royal Scottish Academy Foundation
Matching programme: RSA John Kinross Art Scholarships
The Royal Scottish Academy Foundation, established by Deed of Trust in 2012, supports the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA)—a champion of contemporary visu...
Royal Theatrical Fund
Matching programme: Main Fund
The Royal Theatrical Fund, established in 1839 by actors led by Charles Dickens and expanded through Royal Charters in 1853 and 1974, is a specialist ...
Sheffield Grammar School Exhibition Foundation
Matching programme: Sheffield Grammar School Exhibition Foundation Grants
Sheffield Grammar School Exhibition Foundation advances educational opportunity for financially needy local city residents through scholarships, bursa...
St Marylebone Educational Foundation
Matching programme: Grants for Individuals
The St Marylebone Educational Foundation, tracing its roots to the 1750 founding of St Marylebone Charity School for orphaned and impoverished childre...
Stanley Picker Trust
Matching programme: Annual Scholarship or Fellowship Funding
The Stanley Picker Trust, established in 1977 by New York-born entrepreneur and arts philanthropist Stanley Herbert Picker, advances education in fine...
Showing 50 of 61 matching funders
511 funders not yet verified against these filters
We haven't confirmed these funders' programme details yet, so they may or may not fit. Showing the first 10.
Tips for Applying to Arts, Culture & Heritage Funders
Arts and culture funders look for applications that articulate both artistic quality and social impact. Describe the creative excellence of your work — the artistic vision, calibre of practitioners, and cultural significance — alongside the social outcomes it delivers. Avoid reducing arts to a mere tool for social change; instead show how high-quality cultural experiences create transformative engagement. Detail your participatory methods, explaining how communities actively shape creative processes rather than simply attending performances or exhibitions. Demonstrate diversity and inclusion in your programming, governance, and workforce, showing concrete steps you are taking rather than aspirational statements. Present your audience development strategy, particularly how you reach people who do not currently engage with arts and culture, including evidence of barriers and how you address them. If your project involves cultural heritage, articulate its significance using frameworks such as heritage values or cultural asset mapping. Include evidence from previous work — audience feedback, participant testimonials, evaluation reports, or critical reviews — that demonstrates both artistic merit and meaningful engagement. Strong applications show a clear connection between creative ambition and community benefit, with realistic budgets that fairly compensate artists and creative practitioners.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Arts, Culture & Heritage Grants
What grants are available for arts, culture & heritage charities in the UK?
There are 628+ UK funders offering grants for arts, culture & heritage charities. These range from small community grants under £5,000 to large multi-year funding programmes exceeding £100,000. Use Fundermatcher to find the best match for your organisation.
How much funding can arts, culture & heritage organisations get?
Grant amounts for arts, culture & heritage charities vary widely depending on the funder and project. Typical grants range from £1,000 to over £100,000. Many funders offer multi-year funding for established organisations with a strong track record.
How do I apply for arts, culture & heritage grants?
Start by identifying funders whose priorities align with your arts, culture & heritage work. Fundermatcher matches your charity's profile against 628+ funders to find the best fit. Our AI assistant can then help you draft compelling grant applications.
How to Find the Right Arts, Culture & Heritage Funders
Describe Your Charity
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Which of These 628 Funders Are Right for You?
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