The grant programme is open, meaning applications can be made at any time and for any type of heritage activity. It was launched in February 2013 and is scheduled to run until March 2018.

HLF commissioned Simon Jaquet Consultancy Services Ltd to evaluate the Sharing Heritage grants programme to: 

1. Establish the extent to which the outcomes in the current strategic framework are being achieved by the programme
2. Establish how the Outcomes Framework impacts on project design, planning, and delivery
3. Assess the applicants’ experience of the grant making process
4. Assess the effectiveness of the current business model in providing an entry route into heritage for new and diverse groups

In June 2015, when the evaluation was commissioned, 1,180 project applications had been received. Of these, 717 had been approved for funding and 260 had been completed. The total amount awarded was £5.4million. The evaluators were asked to review samples of these applications, including rejections, to make recommendations to inform its future development.

The results of their assessment can be found in this report.