We want to make partnerships that benefit heritage and provide greater value for people, communities and places by understanding and responding to local needs and priorities.

Our Chief Executive, Eilish McGuinness, says: “Partnerships and collaborations are an important part of achieving our vision: that heritage is valued, cared for and sustained for everyone’s future. Whether it’s through research, combined-funding, communications or beyond, we know we need to work with others to make lasting impact for heritage.” 

What we’re looking for in a partner

We don’t set formal criteria for creating partnerships, but we’ll give priority to those where:

• the partnership takes into account our investment principles, particularly where it involves the use of grant funding 
• partner organisations are aligned with our values and behaviours 
• the partnership is equitable in approach, for example partner(s) can add value, contribute resources and share its risk and delivery

When we have partnership opportunities available, we’ll list them below.

How we’re already working in partnerships

Combining grant investment with enhanced project support 

Nature Towns and Cities is a strategic partnership initiative between us, Natural England and the National Trust. 

We’ve invested £15million in projects that will help create greener and happier places for people to live and work, while the National Trust and Natural England are providing expertise and cohort support which helps our funding go even further.

Delivering expert grant giving on behalf of others

We’ve worked in partnership with the Welsh Government since 2020. We bring our grant-making expertise, our tried and tested systems and our networks to deliver funding that supports the Welsh Government’s Climate and Nature Plan and our ambition to protect the environment and put natural heritage into recovery.

We’re currently accepting applications to the Nature Networks Fund for projects that restore biodiversity, create jobs and strengthen connections between communities and their natural environment across Wales.

Making National Lottery funding go further with social investment partnerships

The Arts & Culture Impact Fund is a strategic partnership fund offering affordable, repayable finance to socially driven arts, cultural and heritage organisations. It’s managed by Figurative on behalf of us and other investors, including: 

• Arts Council England
• Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
• Big Society Capital
• Freelands Foundation
• Bank of America Merrill Lynch
• Nesta

It can be used, among other things, to acquire new assets, improve built infrastructure and develop new ventures.

Partnership opportunities

Investing in children and young people’s engagement with heritage

We want to help transform how the heritage sector engages with children and young people. We’d like to partner with other funders and learning and impact experts to extend the reach and impact of any intervention we make. Explore the opportunity on the Association of Charitable Foundations Collaboration Hub.

Find out more and keep up-to-date

Follow us on LinkedIn and sign up to our newsletter to keep up-to-date with our latest partnership opportunities. You can also email us to register your interest or find out more emma.stagg@heritagefund.org.uk

We also post partnership opportunities on the Association of Charitable Foundations Collaborative Hub.