Museums, libraries and archives
![Black Cultural Archives. Credit: Kois Miah A person handles large parchment documents in an archive room, with shelves of archive boxes in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/main_image_desktop/public/media/imgs/Raleigh%20Hall%20development%20for%20Black%20Cultural%20Archives%20-%20Black%20Cultural%20Archives%202%20copy.jpg.webp?itok=dKXj4Ndc)
Through objects, collections, film, documents and oral histories they help to give us a sense of place and identity.
Thanks to National Lottery players, since 1994 we have awarded £2.4billion to 5,900 museum, library, archive and collection-based projects across the UK.
What do we support?
Our funding supports institutions large and small, including:
- national and local authority museums, libraries and archives
- historic libraries
- community archives
- institutions with heritage collections
Project ideas
Our funding could help people:
- create exciting new exhibition and learning spaces
- attract more diverse audiences
- interpret and open up acquisitions
- develop collections
For more inspiration, see the stories below or browse projects we've funded.
How to get funding
Our National Lottery Heritage Grants programme is open for applications.
![I Me Us Boundless project participants making a film Three young people making a film, one person is holding a microphone, another a clapperboard, and one person is waiting to be interviewed](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/20230816_113531.jpg.webp?itok=kOkwtyk9)
Projects
I Me Us Boundless: sharing stories of transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people in Cumbria
Through the collection of stories, this project will document the lived experiences of transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people in Cumbria.
![Leaders of the project pose for a group photo](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/microsoftteams-image_2.png.webp?itok=T0Lsck_M)
Projects
Creating Northern Ireland’s LGBTQ+ heritage archive
A collaborative effort will record and share Northern Ireland’s modern LGBTQ+ history.
![People dancing as part of a cultural festival at the Birmingham Commonwealth games](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_large/public/media/imgs/MicrosoftTeams-image_0.png.webp?itok=aYOLxLtj)
Programme
National Lottery Heritage Grants £10,000 to £250,000
![Aerial view of Plymouth's coast, with the lighthouse and lido in view](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_large/public/media/imgs/landing-blocks/plymouth-marine-park.jpg.webp?itok=UbKIOIpy)
Programme
National Lottery Heritage Grants £250,000 to £10million
![Groups of people looking at exhibits in a maritime museum](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_body_full/public/media/imgs/landing-blocks/north_-_international_slavery_museum_4_c_pete_carr-800.jpg.webp?itok=4Uy1xYpa)
Publications
Interpretation good practice guidance
Projects
Rochdale Town Hall restored to its former glory
This project has improved the condition of one of the UK’s finest examples of Victorian Gothic architecture, and opened up spaces to the public for the first time.
![Four people play musical instruments including the drums and guitar in front of memorabilia from the Punk era](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/punk-rage-revolution-alex-wilkinson.jpg.webp?itok=si-FZVdK)
News
Success for heritage projects in the National Lottery Awards
![A black and white group photo of about 30 people. The front row of people are using wheelchairs, with others standing on steps behind them.](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/ndacaheaton1.4120160224web_copy.jpg.webp?itok=nheUrlAe)
Blogs
Sharing radical heritage demands a radical approach
![A photo taken through a keyhole of a prisoner in a cell, wearing striped black and white clothing.](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/west_midlands_police_museum_2.jpg.webp?itok=_cSzsbLT)
Projects
The Lock-Up: Unlocking History at West Midlands Police Museum
Our funding has enabled the museum to move into a Victorian custody block, the last of its kind in the country.
![School for Social Entrepreneurs: Heritage Trade Up residential event Three people are looking at worksheets and smiling.](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/sse_photography_-_residential_2.jpg.webp?itok=k1NNww-_)
Stories
Five tips for more robust and innovative heritage organisations
![Brunel's SS Great Britain in the dry dock. Photo: Adam Gasson / SS Great Britain Trust. The ship SS Great Britain in its dry dock](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/ss_great_britain_-_exterior_cropped.jpg.webp?itok=iBLPSJQe)
News
Could you be Sustainable Project of the Year 2024?
![Esther Fox holding a metallic cross-fingers award](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/br4443-national-lottery-awards-2023-esther.jpg.webp?itok=hyw50fCD)
Videos