The National Lottery Heritage Fund

National Lottery Heritage Grants £10,000 to £250,000

We fund projects that connect people and communities to the national, regional and local heritage of the UK.

You could get: £10,000 – £250,000; no fixed round
Deadline: Rolling; apply any time
Effort: Heavy; budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

Not-for-profit organisations, private owners of a heritage asset, and partnerships, anywhere in the UK
Examples given: charities, trusts and charitable incorporated organisations; community and voluntary groups; community/parish councils; community interest companies; faith-based or church organisations; local authorities; other public sector organisations; and private owners of a heritage building, land, object or collection (who must show public benefit outweighs private gain)
Organisations need a bank account in the organisation's exact name, a governing document, and at least two board or committee members who are not related by blood or marriage or living at the same address
The governing document must state the organisation's legal name and aims, prevent distribution of income or property to members, send assets to another charitable or not-for-profit body on dissolution, and be dated and signed (registered charities, public bodies and private owners need not send it)
For capital work you must own the freehold or hold a lease with at least five years left after project completion, without break or forfeiture-on-insolvency clauses
Partners integral to delivery need a signed partnership agreement
Projects in Wales must include the Welsh language

What it funds

Projects that clearly focus on national, regional or local UK heritage, take into account all four investment principles, have a clear plan with a defined start, middle and end, have not already started, and can demonstrate the need for National Lottery investment; projects should last no more than five years.

Eligible costs include volunteer expenses, new staff posts and training
Capital works, repair, maintenance and conservation
Professional fees, event costs and activities to strengthen your organisation
Acquisition of heritage (land, buildings or items at or below market value, with conditions) and associated costs
Costs to join Fit for the Future
Publicity and acknowledgement, evaluation, and skills development for staff and volunteers

Voluntary-sector organisations can include a proportionate share of overheads through full cost recovery.

Projects may include a community grants scheme to fund other groups.

The Fund can cover total project costs, but you must explain why you cannot raise cash or in-kind contributions if you have none.

What it will not fund

Existing costs
Any activity that has taken place before the grant is awarded, or projects that have already started
Anything that promotes the cause or beliefs of political or faith organisations
Installing artificial grass or plants (specialist play safety surfacing and professional sports surfaces are allowed)
Projects that do not clearly relate to UK heritage or do not take into account all four investment principles
For private owners of heritage: works that can reasonably be considered the statutory duty of the owner, purchase of buildings or heritage assets, and construction of new buildings
Private individuals or for-profit organisations using the grant to acquire buildings, land or heritage items
Purchases considered to be above market value, and seller's fees on acquisitions
Full cost recovery for public sector organisations (e.g. government-funded museums, local authorities, universities)
Organisations whose governing document lacks the required non-distribution and dissolution clauses

How to apply

Read the programme guidance, application questions and terms and conditions, and check the project fits (UK heritage, all four investment principles, up to five years, £10,000 to £250,000)
Optionally submit a Project Enquiry to your local team and get feedback on your idea within 10 working days
Draw up a project budget and plan, and prepare mandatory supporting documents (project plan and risk register, accounts, governing document unless exempt) plus any that apply, and obtain any permissions or licences needed
Apply through the online service at any time; there is no deadline
The Fund checks everything is in place, then assesses the application (aiming for eight weeks); decisions are made monthly by senior staff in your nation or area
If successful, submit the permission-to-start form with bank details and any other information requested, sign up to the terms and conditions, and wait for permission before starting

Payments are usually 50% up front, 30% once half the eligible costs are spent, and 20% on completion after a final report, evaluation and proof of acknowledgement; acquisitions are paid in one payment.

Procurement rules apply (three quotes for any single item over £10,000 ex VAT; proof of competitive tendering over £50,000), staff posts must be openly advertised and paid at least the Living Wage, and digital outputs are shared under an open licence (CC-BY 4.0 by default).

If unsuccessful you must talk to the Fund before reapplying.

Have ready

Governing document (not needed for registered charities, public organisations or private owners of heritage)
Most recent audited or accountant-verified accounts (or last three bank statements or a signed bank letter if accounts are over 18 months old or the organisation is under 14 months old)
Project plan and risk register (template available)
Job descriptions with salary and hours for any new posts (if applicable)
Briefs for commissioned work (if applicable)
Calculation of full cost recovery based on recent published accounts (if applicable)
Up to six project images (if applicable)
Up to six pieces of evidence of support (if applicable)
Signed partnership agreement (mandatory if working with partners)
Condition survey (if the project involves conservation)
Evidence of cash contributions (if applicable)
Ownership documents such as Land Registry title, lease or heads of terms (if capital works)

Acquisitions need further evidence, including an independent valuation, provenance, a conservator's report and long-term management plans. Do not send extra documents, as they will not be used in assessment.

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