Funding for historic buildings & landscapes

The Wolfson Foundation is an independent, grant-making charity, based in central London but funding across the UK. We have a wide range of funding programmes and activities. Our fundamental aim is to improve the civic health of society, mainly through education and research.

Our main grants programme provides support for places. These grants are for capital initiatives, i.e. buildings (new build or refurbishment) and equipment. We fund a broad range of organisations working across the fields of education, science & medicine, health & disability, heritage, humanities & the arts.

Funding for historic buildings & landscapes: We support organisations managing sites of outstanding historic, architectural and cultural significance and that have a clear emphasis on public access and engagement. Grants are awarded towards conservation and restoration work, interpretation, and education spaces.

Need to know Who can apply: Registered or exempt charity (or equivalent) or local authority. Location of applicant and project: UK only. Funding covers: Conservation and restoration work to sites of outstanding historic, architectural and cultural significance. Minimum grant amount: £15,000. Usual grant range: £15,000 – £100,000. Match funding required: Yes, if project cost is >£50,000. Decision dates: June and December annually. Projects must not be completed before a funding decision is made. Wolfson funding programme: Heritage, Humanities & the Arts.

The site should meet all of the following criteria: -be a registered charity or a local authority -be open and accessible to the public for the majority of a usual year (with a reasonable number of visitors)

Be listed as: -Grade I, II* or a Scheduled Monument (England and Wales) -Category A, B or a Scheduled Monument (Scotland) -Grade A, B+ or a Scheduled Monument (Northern Ireland) Please note that where we receive a particularly high level of interest in this area, applications concerning sites which are listed as Grade I, Category A, Grade A or a Scheduled Monument will be prioritised.

For landscapes, parks and gardens, a case should be made that the site has a national significance.

The project should involve one or more of the following elements: -restoration or conservation work to the historic fabric of the building -excellent interpretation of historic buildings, landscapes and collections and also aim to produce one or more of the following outcomes: -increased numbers of visitors to historic sites -better public engagement with and understanding of sites of historical and cultural significance -improved future sustainability of the organisation