Since my blog announcing our response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we’ve been working hard on shaping the finer points of how we are supporting the heritage community. 

Today we publish our guidance around applying for money through the Heritage Emergency Fund. 

The key thing to know is that applicants must be:  

• a not-for-profit organisation, and 
• a current or previous recipient of a grant directly from us, and 
• an owner, manager or representative of heritage, or have an evidenced track record in delivering participatory heritage activity  

You can read the guidance in full on our website. We will keep it under review and update it regularly. 

When to apply

Please note that applications do not open for another week – 2pm on Wednesday 15 April – and you can apply any time up to Friday 31 July. 

We know that this period has been stressful and many of you will be feeling the need to rush to make an application. However, please do take time to really think about what support you need to get your organisation through the next few months. 

"We want this Emergency Fund to help as many organisations in the heritage sector as possible through this crisis."

We recognise that we won’t be able to help everyone. We want this Emergency Fund to help as many organisations in the heritage sector as possible through this crisis.

To do that we need your help by asking you to request only what you require for immediate needs, so that our support can help our heritage family across the UK.  

So what's next?

Please read the new guidance and make sure that, if you wish to apply for funding, you are eligible. 

Have a look at our updated FAQs as they will help guide your understanding of the Heritage Emergency Fund and support your application. 

If you have any further questions, please contact your local teams who are ready to help you as far as possible. 

There will be more details to follow, not only about funding but about the rest of our support for the heritage sector, including our Digital Skills for Heritage initiative.

Ensure you don’t miss out on any further announcements by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

And of course, please keep talking with us – we are listening. 

Stay safe. 

Eilish