Increasingly community groups are exploring and taking on responsibility for managing the heritage around them.

The Trust is making available a limited number of discretionary grants to support community-led projects where they will result in the historic built environment being better understood, looked after or promoted.

There are a wide range of projects the Trust could support. Further details about grants and the types of project that may be supported can be found in the Trust’s you should read the Trust’s Community Heritage Grants Guidance.

Who can apply?

The principal purpose of Community Heritage Grants is that projects are community-led and provide significant benefits to the community. Typically, the Trust will consider applications from not-for-profit organisations such as charities or trusts, community or voluntary groups, student groups, “friends of” groups, community councils, community interest companies and social enterprises. It may also be possible to support individuals who are carrying out research. This list is not exhaustive. Applicants will preferably have a recognisable constitution and office-bearers with clear lines of accountability. It should be clear how an organisation operates and funds its activities. If receiving a grant, the applicant/organisation will need to have a bank account into which any grant payments can be made. The local council will not normally be permitted to apply for grant, however, there will be a requirement that it will contribute to projects where it remains the owner of a structure that will benefit from a grant for repair. It is for the Trust to consider whether your organisation is of a type and configuration that it can support.

What must your project deliver?

We want your project to be meaningful and to have lasting effect where a grant has been offered. In your project you must demonstrate:

• how heritage will be better managed
• how the condition of heritage will be improved, or progress made towards improvement/reuse
• how heritage will be better identified, interpreted and explained
• what people will have learned about heritage
• what skills participants in your project have developed
• what voluntary input has been made, and
• how the project has reached the wider community

Grant rates

Grant rates may vary depending on what type of work you propose however the maximum grant normally available is 75% of eligible costs up to a maximum grant of £5,000. Grant rates are discretionary and may be varied subject to the demand for grants.

If you or your group are developing a project and wish to find out whether it generally meets Trust criteria for grant assistance, please complete the Trust Preapplication Form.