National Lottery Heritage Fund publishes first delivery plan for Heritage 2033
Earlier this year, the National Lottery Heritage Fund (aka Heritage Fund) published a new 10-year strategy called Heritage 2033. Details of the first delivery plan have now been released; this sets out how, across the next three years, the Heritage Fund aims to invest £870million via National Lottery Grants for Heritage and a further £140m in strategic initiatives to make a decisive difference for places, nature and heritage in need.
The key changes in the next year include:
- A simplified application process, making it more proportionate to the amount of money you're requesting.
- Increase the lower threshold for grants to £10,000
- A short period when grants up to £250,000 will be closed
Last Deadlines in 2023
- Grants from £250,000 to £10m:
- Last Expressions of Interest in September
- Last development applications in November (delivery round applications are not affected)
- Grants from £10,000 to £250,000:
- Last applications in November.
- Grants from £3,000 to £10,000:
- Last applications in December. There will be no further grants below £10,000.
From January 2024, the Heritage Fund will be open for the first applications for grants from £10,000 to £10m under Heritage 2033, with new guidance and application forms.
All published application deadlines and decision dates remain the same.
Grants under £10,000 No longer available
Over the last few years, many first-time applicants in need of grants over £250,000 for church repairs, have been advised to start with a small, development project with a grant request under £10,000 to the Heritage Fund. With the removal of grants under £10,000 next year, the route to achieving major funding is now unclear. The Heritage Fund does stress that it is exploring other options to deliver grants under £10,000.
New Initiatives
Place
In the autumn, the Heritage Fund will share the first 9 of 20 locations across the UK where it will invest to transform heritage, revitalise economies and boost local pride through the Place initiative.
Heritage in Need
Over the next year the Heritage fund will be undertaking research and development, working with strategic partners to identify the initial focus for support of Heritage in Need, including for places of worship. Once initiatives have been identified, grants will be available for the development and delivery of projects.
You can read more about the delivery plan on the Heritage Fund’s website. Please note, the delivery plan is designed to be flexible and will be updated annually as part of the Heritage Fund’s business planning processes. We will continue to bring you updates as and when they become available.
If you are considering applying for a grant, please contact Holly Isted, our Historic Church Buildings Support Officer who can help guide you through the process.
Holly Isted - Historic Church Buildings Support Officer
Telephone 01353 652720 or email holly.isted@elydiocese.org