The Heritage Revival Fund is a new grants programme provided with funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DMS) and Historic England and forms part of the government’s wider £270 million investment in arts and culture.

The £5 million programme is being delivered by the Architectural Heritage Fund. It will run for one year (1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026).

Charities and social enterprises in England who are seeking to take ownership of and/or adapt historic buildings in town centres for community uses can apply now for grants of between £5,000 and £350,000.

The grants will support projects from the earliest stages through to capital works, with funding available for feasibility studies, development of business plans and drawings for architectural adaptations, as well as the costs of acquiring and renovating buildings.

There are three different grants:

• Project Viability Grants up to £15,000 for up to one year.
• Project Development Grants up to £100,000 for up to one year.
• Capital Works Grants up to £350,000 for up to one year.

Applications will be accepted from the following not-for-private-profit organisations or lowest tiers of local government:

• Unincorporated charities (Project Viability Grants only)
• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
• Charitable Companies Limited by Guarantee
• Community Benefit Societies
• Not-for-private-profit Companies Limited by Guarantee
• Community Interest Companies (CICs) Limited by Guarantee
• Co-operatives
• Parish and Town Councils
• Independent secular organisations seeking to take ownership of a place of worship that will retain some religious use.

There is a two-stage application process.

The Capital Works Grants will open for Expressions of Interest on 12 May 2025 when the guidance notes are published and close on 27 June 2025.

Expressions of Interest are currently being accepted for Project Viability Grants and Project Development Grants.