In our new regular feature in the Funding Information North East (FINE) ebulletin we ask funders to tell us about their grant giving over the next few months. Subscribe to our FINE ebulletin by getting in touch with jen.thompson@vonne.org.uk
Thanks to Rachel Ward, Development Manager, Heritage Lottery Fund for responses.
What are your current funding priorities?
Our two current priority areas are North Tyneside and Sunderland and we are working closely with contacts in these two areas to encourage applications. We are also looking to encourage applications from BME and disability groups. However, heritage is really wide-ranging. We support all kinds of projects, as long as they make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities. You can use our funding to record the diverse stories of your community, breathe new life into local nature reserves, engage young people with the past and much more; it’s anything that makes your area unique and worth celebrating. We welcome applications from all areas and types of organisations in the North East.
Are there any applications that you are struggling to bring in that you would encourage?
We are actively seeking applications to our First World War: then and now programme, with grants of £3,000–£10,000. This programme has a short application form, and is suitable for everyone, including first-time applicants. Everyone should have the chance to discover more about the war and mark the Centenary. That’s why we are providing this special grant programme for community projects. You can apply at any time up to 2019.
Are there any key pieces of advice you would give groups to help them submit quality applications and increase their chances of being successful?
- Your project needs to have a clear heritage focus and also meet the outcomes of the programme you are applying to.
- To help demonstrate the need and demand for your project, good consultation and research is really important. It helps to show that it isn’t just three people sat around a kitchen table who think that this would be a great thing – but it’s much wider than that.
- When looking for funding from us, the first step is to have a look at our website and have a read of the guidance notes for the programme that fits the project. This sets out what we fund, the outcomes projects we fund need to achieve for heritage, people and communities, and how to make an application – it’s really surprising how many people don’t do this.
- It’s important that your project has clear aims and objectives – and that you explain clearly what the project is, and what it will do; what difference will it make.
- Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, don’t forget you can seek advice from HLF early on – you don’t have to have everything fully formed to submit a project enquiry form, ask a question and start the conversation: NorthEastContact@HLF.org.uk
When is the next deadline and how do groups go about applying?
Most of our main grants programmes - First World War: then and now (3-10k), Sharing Heritage (3-10K), Our Heritage (10-100K) and Heritage Grants (100K upwards) - don’t have application deadlines. You can apply at any time and we will assess your application within the timeframes for that programme. Some of our more specialist programmes such as the Grants for Places of Worship programme do have deadlines.
However, the best thing to do is to get in contact with us if you have any queries or just want to know more.