The National Lottery Heritage Fund has announced that it will now accept applications for larger grants to cover up to four months of essential emergency costs arising from the COVID-19 health crisis. 

The new larger Heritage Emergency Fund grants, made possible through the funding of the National Lottery, are now worth between £50,000-£250,000 and will be made available to all past and current National Lottery Heritage Fund grantees.

Ros Kerslake, CEO of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has had a particularly damaging effect on the heritage sector, just as many attractions would be welcoming paying visitors from home and overseas. We are continuing to listen to heritage organisations and adapt our response to their needs, which is why we have brought in this higher level of funding.

“Although we may not be able to fund everything, we do encourage organisations to get in touch and apply for funding.  

“Heritage is incredibly valuable for people, communities and the economy. We want to support organisations to actively deal with immediate risks, become more stable and work towards longer term recovery.”

The new grants are intended to help organisations in the heritage sector address immediate risks, become more stable and work towards longer-term recovery after the crisis. Moroever, they serve as an  addition to the existing £3,000-£50,000 Heritage Emergency Fund grants which were launched in mid-April as the crisis began to unfold.

Heritage Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “Heritage plays a vitally important role in making our communities better places to live, supports our wellbeing, and provides an important boost to local economies. This funding is playing a critical role in helping people, projects and communities from across the sector face the challenges presented by the pandemic.”

Applications for the up to £250,000 grant open on 21 May, with organisations able to apply any time before 30 June 2020.

The new grants can be used for the following purposes: 

  • stabilising an organisation or heritage asset
  • protecting heritage through mothballing
  • reconfiguring business plans
  • covering essential costs such as site security or maintaining natural habitats
  • increasing digital activities during this period
  • testing new activities that will help with recovery
  • revising strategic and operating plans

For more information visit the organisations funding page