Community heritage
Since 1994 we have awarded £590million to more than 27,600 community and cultural heritage projects across the UK.
What do we support?
We fund projects that are researching, conserving and celebrating the heritage of a community or place.
These projects could include lots of types of heritage, such as people celebrating living customs or improving a historic green space. What's most important is that the project involves and benefits the community.
Project ideas
Our funding could help people:
- research the impact of a historical event on their town, and share their findings through displays, talks and online
- investigate the names on a war memorial
- crowdsource documents and photographs linked to the LGBTQ+ community, creating an online archive and exhibition
- set up an audio trail around a range of buildings, parks and monuments in a town
- enable a youth group to research their local history and create an animated film about their learnings
For more inspiration, see the stories below or browse projects we've funded.
How to get funding
If you have an idea for a project, we would love to hear from you.
Videos
Inspiration for your heritage project
Blogs
How ‘small’ grants can make a big impact for communities
News
We’re supporting Belfast 2024’s year of culture and creativity
Blogs
How targeted support has helped Knowsley's heritage thrive
Projects
Supporting people in Knowsley to explore their heritage
The Knowsley Golden Thread project will champion inclusivity and enable groups, organisations and local communities to drive their involvement in heritage.
Blogs
Queer Heritage South: what we’ve learned about running LGBTQ+ heritage projects
Projects
Transforming Saintfield’s Windmill Field into a community heritage park
A National Lottery windfall for Saintfield Community Association will provide much needed free-to-access green space in the historic County Down village.
News
Six organisations shortlisted for Sustainable Project of the Year 2024
Stories
Discover the pioneering woman scientist who mapped the moon
Blogs
Techniques for supporting young people's wellbeing during heritage projects
Projects
Great Yarmouth Winter Gardens - Reimagining the People's Palace
Great Yarmouth Borough Council is restoring the UK’s last surviving Victorian ironwork seaside winter gardens.
Projects
A lido revolution: championing outdoor swimming
The Pooling Resources project, led by Future Lidos, has developed and delivered a digital toolkit to support the revival of lidos across the UK.
News
Hundreds of special heritage offers across the UK this spring
Stories