Funding

Below is a list of funding sources for community heritage projects in the UK and Ireland. If you know of any additional funders, please let us know.  

UK national funders
UK regional funders
UK sources of funding information

Ireland national funders
Ireland regional funders
Ireland sources of funding information

UK national funders

Heritage Fund (link to external website)

The UK’s largest heritage funder. Grants from £10,000 and above.

Historic England (link to external website)

Everyday Heritage Grants for creative projects (in England) that focus on heritage connecting people to historic places, specifically those people and places that are overlooked or underrepresented. Up to £25,000 per project (most grants awarded were under 10k.) The scheme has run in 2022 and 2023, a third round is planned for 2024 and will be by open call.

The National Archives (link to external website)

A range of grants, including Resilience, Engagement and Scoping Grants

Sporting Heritage (link to external website)

Community grants: Round 2 will open September 2024

Paul Hamlyn Foundation (link to external website)

A range of grants available with a specific focus on social justice. Their mission is to be an effective and independent funder, using all their resources to create opportunities and support social change. They partner with inspiring organisations and individuals to put them at the heart of leading change and designing solutions to overcome inequality. Funds include the arts, youth, migration and learning and range from £30,000 up to £300,000.

UK regional funders

Hampshire Archives Trust (link to external website)

Main grants (between £500 and £10,000) and Small Grants (up to £500). For Hampshire only.

Curwen and Kirby Archive Trusts Grant Schemes (link to external website)

Records relating to Westmorland or Furness. Grants usually to a maiximum of £500.

UK sources of funding information

Three Sixty Giving (link to external website)

Grant navigation database. Contains some (but not all) government grants, but also those from local organisations, trust and other funders. See the help text on how to search the database by keyword.

The Heritage Funding Directory (link to external website)

Funding directory with a guidance section and case studies. Covers historic buildings, landscapes, parks and gardens, churchyards and cemeteries, industrial heritage, archives, historic churches, museums, archaeology, the environment, heritage skills, conservation and more. Also includes links to funding advice from other bodies.

Find a Grant (link to external website)

All government grants, including The National Archives, levelling up etc. are required to be published on this page.

National Council for Voluntary Organisations (link to external website)

Includes a page with help on finding grants.

UK Community Foundations (link to external website)

A national network of community foundations. Allows you to search for your local community foundation by postcode.

Chartered Institute of Fundraising (link to external website)

Contains resources for small charities and small fundraising teams as well as a section on  guidance and resources about fundraising.

Ireland national funders

The Heritage Council (Ireland) (link to external website)

The Community Heritage Grant Scheme is an annual grant scheme for community groups and not-for-profit non-governmental organisations around the country for heritage projects. Grants from €500 – €25,000.

The Digital Repository of Ireland (link to external website)

The Annual Community Archive Scheme gives 1 or 2 volunteer groups per year free membership (worth €5000) to digitally preserve a specified collection.

Ireland regional funders

Local Authority Community Grant Schemes (Ireland) (link to external website)

Each Local Authority in Ireland administers an annual community support grants scheme, grant amounts vary but usually up to €3000. Generally opens and closes in February but this may differ from one local authority to another. Contact your Heritage Officer for more information.

Ireland sources of funding information

The Wheel (Ireland) (link to external website)

Membership required, For organisations with an annual income below €25,000, membership is free. Once a member, it is €100 subcription to FundingPoint, a data base of funders and grant schemes