The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the UK’s biggest heritage funder, is extending its coronavirus grant support scheme to cover re-opening and recovery after the shut-down and extends the deadline for applications to the end of July.
The Heritage Emergency Fund is accepting applications for two grant levels – one for £3,000-£50,000 and the other for £50,000-£250,000. They cover emergency and/or recovery costs. Click here for more information.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund announced the changes to the £50million Heritage Emergency Fund today (18 June). The Fund was set up at speed in late April to help the UK’s heritage sector survive the impact of the pandemic.
Hundreds of grants have now been awarded. But in a climate where existing business models may no longer be fit for purpose, heritage organisations still face significant challenges as they look towards recovery.
Ros Kerslake, the Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “This is still a time of great change and uncertainty for heritage organisations and we are with them in heart and mind right now as they take uncertain steps back into a fast-changing world.
"We are keen to help them in planning for the recovery that is so vital for heritage, its people and communities.”
The grants have so far supported heritage organisations with essential costs to keep them afloat, meeting costs such as core staff wages and utility bills.
They can now also be used to build the foundations of recovery, which might include new operating and business plans, investing in digital technology, or meeting the potentially significant costs of restructuring sites in order to re-open in line with Government guidance.
The grants can cover the costs of managing a heritage site during social distancing, which could include additional staff to help manage queues, PPE for staff and volunteers, training, additional cleaning, implementing contactless payment methods, or temporary structures to help manage visitors, like shelter for queues or additional toilets.
The Emergency Fund is part of a wider raft of support available from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with £1.1billion already committed and an additional £1.2million being invested in the Digital Skills for Heritage initiative.