Historic England

Historic England funds heritage-led regeneration and conservation projects that bring direct benefits to England's historic environment. This includes work to repair, adapt, and re-use at-risk assets, as well as projects that tell underrepresented stories and involve deprived communities. The organisation prioritises everyday heritage, such as working-class sites and social housing, alongside more prominent monuments. Their funding supports activities like restoration works, exhibitions, digital resources, and volunteering, with a strong focus on community engagement, education, and capacity building. Geographically, their work spans all regions of England, with a particular emphasis on at-risk assets and areas of deprivation.

Historic England welcomes applications from UK-registered charities, community interest companies, social enterprises, and community groups. There are no income thresholds, so grassroots organisations and national bodies alike can apply. The funder prioritises projects that deliver direct benefits to England's historic environment and involve local communities, especially those in deprived areas. They are particularly interested in work that tells underrepresented stories, including those of BAME, LGBTQ+, and disabled communities. Applicants should be based in England and demonstrate a clear connection to the heritage they seek to protect.

Historic England does not typically fund core costs or non-heritage projects. Work that takes place outside England is not supported. The organisation also tends to avoid funding activities that do not have a clear heritage focus or that lack community engagement.

Historic England provides grants for heritage-led regeneration and conservation projects, often requiring match funding. They support both one-off and multi-year initiatives, depending on the programme. The organisation welcomes unsolicited applications and works in partnership with applicants to deliver shared goals. Their funding style is evidence-led and community-focused, with an emphasis on capacity building and long-term impact.