The National Lottery Heritage Fund

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

The Heritage Fund's large grants programme funds heritage projects of any kind across the UK (buildings, nature and landscapes, collections, cultures and memories) with grants of £250,000 to £10m (Heritage Enterprise projects up to £5m). Not-for-profit organisations, or partnerships they lead, must first submit a short Expression of Interest; invited projects usually go through a funded development phase of up to two years and then a competitive delivery phase of up to five years. Projects must take into account all four Heritage 2033 investment principles and applicants contribute at least 5% of costs (10% for grants over £1m).

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: £250,000 – £10,000,000
Deadline: 24 days left; 12 November
Effort: Heavy; budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

Not-for-profit organisations and partnerships led by a not-for-profit organisation anywhere in the UK, for example charities, trusts and charitable incorporated organisations; community and voluntary groups; community/parish councils; community interest companies; faith-based or church organisations; local authorities; and other public sector organisations
Organisations need a bank account, a governing document (with a non-distribution clause and an asset lock on dissolution, adopted and signed) and two or more board or committee members who are not related or living at the same address
In joint applications the heritage owner is usually expected to be the lead applicant
You must provide at least 5% of development and delivery phase costs as partnership funding for grants of £250,000-£1m, and at least 10% for grants of £1m-£10m (cash, non-cash or volunteer time at £20/hour)
Capital projects need freehold or a lease meeting the Fund's requirements
The project must run for no more than five years (excluding development)

What it funds

Projects that:

Clearly focus on UK heritage (national, regional or local)
Take into account all four investment principles (saving heritage; protecting the environment; inclusion, access and participation; organisational sustainability)
Have a clear plan with a defined start, middle and end
Have not already started
Show the need for National Lottery investment
Eligible costs include:
Volunteer expenses, new staff posts and training
Capital works, repair, maintenance and conservation
Professional fees, events and activities to strengthen your organisation
Acquisition of heritage (land, buildings, items) at or below market value with associated purchase costs
Costs to join the Fit for the Future network
Skills development
Evaluation
Acknowledgement
For voluntary-sector organisations, a share of overheads (full cost recovery)

Heritage Enterprise projects (economic growth through heritage) can apply for up to £5m.

Projects in Wales must be bilingual.

What it will not fund

Existing costs, or any activity that has taken place before the grant is awarded
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)
Full cost recovery for public sector organisations (e.g. government-funded museums, local authorities, universities)
Purchases the Fund thinks are above market value, or buying land/buildings other than freehold or on a lease with at least 99 years left
Acquisitions by private individuals or for-profit organisations
Seller's fees (e.g. legal and agent's fees) on acquisitions
Projects that start before a decision is made

How to apply

Read the programme guidance, the application questions and the terms of grant
Submit an Expression of Interest (max 1,000 words) through the Heritage Fund's online service; there is no EOI deadline
Wait for a response (the Fund aims to reply within 20 working days); if invited, you have 12 months to submit a development phase application
Prepare your project plan, budget and mandatory supporting documents, and consider permissions and licences needed
Submit the development phase application by a quarterly deadline (next: 12 noon, 12 November 2026, for a decision by end of March 2027)
If awarded, complete the development phase (up to two years), including a review of progress, then submit a delivery phase application by a later quarterly deadline
If awarded a delivery grant, complete the project within five years; payments are made in arrears with the final 10% held until completion

If your EOI is not successful you must wait three months before submitting a new one.

Applications over £10m are considered only for truly exceptional projects, and fast-track decisions (e.g. auction purchases) only in exceptional circumstances, both after contacting your local office.

Have ready

Governing document (not needed for public bodies or registered charities)
Audited or accountant-verified accounts for the last three years plus current-year management accounts (or last three bank statements / a bank letter if accounts are over 18 months old or the organisation is under 14 months old)
Timetable for the development and delivery phases
Risk register for the development and delivery phases, and a document outlining the main risks after the project is complete
Detailed cost breakdown spreadsheet for the development phase
Your organisation's current business plan
Job descriptions, briefs for commissioned work, full cost recovery calculation, up to six images, up to six pieces of evidence of support, partnership agreements, condition survey and ownership documents, where applicable

The delivery phase application needs updated versions of these plus an activity plan or area action plan, cash flow report, five-year income and spending forecasts and project management structure, and where relevant a management and maintenance plan, design/interpretation plan and conservation plan. Acquisitions and Heritage Enterprise projects need further documents.

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