Lottery funding

Heritage Lottery Fund

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy.  From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage.      HLF has awarded over £4.5 billion in grants to heritage projects throughout the UK.

Retired pilots at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford

Type of work funded

HLF has three aims which relate to learning, conservation and participation. Through our grant making we aim to: 

- conserve the UK’s diverse heritage for present and future generations to experience and enjoy; 

- help more people, and a wider range of people, to take an active part in and make decisions about their heritage; 

- help people to learn about their own and other people’s heritage. 

Range of grant size: minimum – maximum

The Heritage Lottery Fund has a range of programmes designed for heritage projects of different types and sizes. We offer grants from £3,000 to multi-million-pound awards. 

Types of scheme (open / closed / targeted)

Heritage Lottery Fund offers a combination of general grants programmes, together with initiatives targeted at particular areas of heritage or themes. Call us for more information.  

Geographical coverage

We can award grants throughout the UK (except the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man). 

We have 11 offices throughout the UK including offices in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

Priority areas and key messages (for example, partnership funding)

HLF offers pre-application support and help through our local teams and are committed to working towards a more equitable spread of awards throughout the UK.  In each region and country we have identified a number of geographical and social priorities for targeted development help, to encourage first-time applicants. 

Depending on the amount of grant requested and the grant programme applied to, applicants may have to supply partnership funding with their application. 

For grants up to £50,000 applicants can contribute as much as they can either as cash, non-cash contributions (for example, donated materials) or volunteer time. For grants of less than £1million, applicants must provide at least 5% of the project cost. For grants of £1million or more, applicants must provide at least 10% of the project costs. Please note: for a small number of HLF’s targeted programmes the minimum contribution is higher. Contact us for more information. 

Application process (formal deadlines)

Applications to our general programmes (Your Heritage, Young Roots and Heritage Grants) can be made at any time.  For grants of £50,000 or less a decision can be expected within 10 weeks from the date we receive a fully completed application. Grants over £50,000 are assessed in two rounds.  For first-round applications it will take three months to assess and a decision then made at the next available meeting. 

Our targeted programmes have differing deadlines. Please contact us for further information 

Applications must be made by a not-for-profit organisation.  

Central contact details

Our enquiries number is: 020 7591 6042. 

Case Studies

Sugar and slavery
Shetland place names project
Trees of our future

For more information visit the website:

www.hlf.org.uk