National Lottery Heritage Fund

The funder supports projects that connect people and communities to heritage, including historic buildings, landscapes, museums, archives, nature, biodiversity, oral histories, cultural traditions, and digital assets. Funding covers project delivery, capital works, equipment, training, events, research, feasibility studies, and salaries directly related to the project. Priority is given to initiatives that widen access for underserved groups, enhance environmental outcomes, and ensure long-term stewardship. Grants are available across the UK, with a strong emphasis on inclusion and public engagement. Funded projects typically focus on outcomes for heritage, people, and communities, with resilience and inclusion highlighted for smaller-scale work.

Eligible applicants include registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, community groups, community interest companies, faith groups, local authorities, and social enterprises. Private individuals are not eligible for larger grants. The funder welcomes not-for-profit organisations operating anywhere in the UK. Projects must demonstrate a clear connection between people and heritage, with a particular emphasis on inclusion and community benefit. Applicants are expected to contribute at least five per cent of project costs, though no income threshold is specified. There is no restriction on religious affiliation.

The funder does not support core costs, salaries that are not directly related to a project, the purchase of buildings or any heritage assets, or the construction of new buildings. It also excludes works that can reasonably be considered the statutory duty of the owner. Private owners are not eligible for funding, and private individuals are excluded from larger grant programmes.

Grants are typically multi-year, with project lengths of up to five years. The funder requires a minimum contribution of five per cent of project costs. It supports project-based costs rather than core costs, and welcomes unsolicited applications. Funding is often delivered through partnership-led, place-based projects, with a strong focus on public engagement and long-term heritage outcomes.