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.
Projects
Creating Northern Ireland’s LGBTQ+ heritage archive
A collaborative effort will record and share Northern Ireland’s modern LGBTQ+ history.
Programme
National Lottery Heritage Grants £10,000 to £250,000
Programme
National Lottery Heritage Grants £250,000 to £10million
Projects
The Common Lot's Living Heritage in Mile Cross
Community memories were gathered and shared to celebrate the centenary of England's oldest purpose-built social housing estate, Mile Cross in Norwich.
Projects
New Peacemakers Museum explores community journey from conflict to peace
A new community heritage museum is set to open at the Gasyard Centre in Spring 2024.
Stories
RHS Garden Wisley elevates accessibility and participation through collaborative initiatives
Blogs
Sharing radical heritage demands a radical approach
Stories
Celebrating the music pioneer Delia Derbyshire on Doctor Who's 60th anniversary
Projects
Hibiscus Rising: celebrating cultural heritage inspired by the legacy of David Oluwale
A community engagement programme will accompany a public artwork, Hibiscus Rising, created by Yinka Shonibare CBE RA to honour David Oluwale.
Projects
Delia Derbyshire Day: a celebration of an electronic music pioneer
This project is engaging young people with the unique heritage of early electronic music by marking 60 years of Doctor Who.
Stories
Five tips for more robust and innovative heritage organisations
Projects
Full Cycle: a history of cycling in Forest Gate
This project will look at the cycling history of Forest Gate in Newham – an important cycling epicentre in the late 19th century close to Epping Forest.