Perth and Kinross is home to a flourishing and diverse heritage sector. You can find some of these charities and groups on the Service Navigator.
If you work for a heritage organisation, here are some funding sources and an inclusive volunteering campaign to consider in the coming year.
National Lottery Heritage Fund
‘As the largest funder for the UK’s heritage, our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.’
National Lottery Heritage Fund has launched a new ten-year strategy (‘Heritage 2033’) and is making changes for 2024. They are not currently accepting project enquiry forms or applications, but the funding programme will reopen in January 2024 with new guidance and forms.
We will share details about this funding when it becomes available.
Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust
‘Our Vision: A Perth and Kinross that values, embraces and enhances the economic, social and environmental benefits of its Historic Environment’
Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust will consider financial support for two types of projects with the Community Heritage Grants Scheme:
- Conservation of historic buildings or monuments in Perth and Kinross that have established and generally unhindered public access;
- Community based recording, research and interpretation of the historic environment in Perth and Kinross.
Applications are considered twice a year, with deadlines on 31 January and 31 July.
Heritage Funding Directory
Heritage Funding Directory is a free guide to financial support for anyone undertaking UK-related heritage projects. The directory is managed by Heritage Alliance and the Architectural Heritage Fund.
This resource is a useful starting point for navigating sources of funding in the sector. It is encouraged to visit a funder’s website directly to find more details and explore the latest information about relevant grants. Search for funding sources here.
SUEZ
The SUEZ Communities Fund uses money provided by SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund to support public amenity, biodiversity, or historic building projects.
The company’s donations relate to its operations in Scotland, and eligible projects must be located within 10 miles of a landfill site; find out if this applies to you using a tool on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency website. Further guidance and eligibility criteria are available here.
The next closing date is 3 April 2024, with a decision made by end of June 2024.
Other funding sources
In addition to sector specific funding, there may be other funding available to meet your needs:
- The SCVO Funding Scotland website provides a comprehensive database of funding opportunities for Scottish charities, ranging from small grants to funding for big capital projects. SCVO members have access to exclusive features and information on funds and grants.
- Perth & Kinross Council provides information about local sources of funding and community grants. This website offers up-to-date information on Common Good Funds, small grants through Local Action Partnerships, and various grants and funds which become available from time to time to meet specific needs.
- TSI (Perth & Kinross) shares funding updates across our website, newsletter, and social media channels.
Make Your Mark: Inclusive Volunteering
Here’s another resource for heritage organisations that involve volunteers.
Make Your Mark is a campaign to increase the number and diversity of heritage volunteers in Scotland. They support all volunteer roles and programmes that preserve, discover, record and/or celebrate Scotland’s places, people and stories. This includes built, natural and cultural heritage.
Joining Make Your Mark is completely free and gives you access to a range of resources and support, including:
- Networking events for heritage volunteer organisers within Scotland’s heritage sector
- Inclusive volunteering case study events about how to make volunteer programmes more diverse and accessible
- A curated monthly e-newsletter with the latest in inclusive heritage volunteering
- Promotion of your volunteer opportunities through their website and social media
That’s all for now! We hope this information has been helpful for our vital heritage sector.