Museums, libraries and archives
Through objects, collections, film, documents and oral histories they help to give us a sense of place and identity.
Thanks to National Lottery players, since 1994 we have awarded £2.4billion to 5,900 museum, library, archive and collection-based projects across the UK. See stories from projects we've funded below.
We provide grants for heritage projects from £10,000–£10million to ensure that heritage is valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.
What do we support?
Our funding supports institutions large and small, including:
- national and local authority museums, libraries and archives
- historic libraries
- community archives
- institutions with heritage collections
Project ideas
Our funding could help people:
- create exciting new exhibition and learning spaces
- attract more diverse audiences
- interpret and open up acquisitions
- develop collections
For more inspiration, see the stories below or browse projects we've funded.
How to get funding
Our National Lottery Heritage Grants programme is open for applications.
Projects
Diary of a Dude: Bringing Jack Pulman's First World War Diary to Life
This project explores the diary of Jack Pulman, a first-hand account of life as an overseas serviceman during the First World War.
Projects
Scotland's pride in focus
Pink Saltire is a Scottish LGBTQ+ news and information charity founded in 2014.
Projects
Celebrating the Spirit of the Cracker Packers
This inspiring community heritage project explores the fascinating lives of Carlisle’s ‘Cracker Packers’ through the ages.
Projects
Risk Takers and History Makers - Celebrating the voices of the Women of Bedford
The stories of four Bedford women were celebrated with workshops and an exhibition.
Projects
CreweCraft: Young Roots Crafting Crewe's Heritage in Minecraft
Young people in Crewe connected with the heritage of their town using digital gaming.
Projects
Exploring visual impairment in Newcastle
Visually impaired volunteers investigated the 150-year-old history of their society to learn more about blind heritage in the North East
Projects
In her footsteps: discovering Suffragettes in the North East
Women who live in the North East explore their region's incredible connection to the First World War and Suffrage movement.
Projects
'Reimagining Wordsworth': the Wordsworth Trust masterplan
The Wordsworth Trust will co-ordinate the transformation of the literary heritage site at Dove Cottage in the Lake District.
Projects
Conservation and display of the Centenary Banner of Downham Benevolent Society (1785 to 1913)
Preserving part of Lancashire’s heritage for the benefit of future generations.
Projects
Manchester Link to West African textiles through ABC wax prints
The project will identify and record, interpret and explain the history of West African textiles designed and produced by ABC Wax in Manchester from 1900’s until the present day.
Projects
A history of Newport CC & the historic Rodney parade ground
A History of Newport Cricket Club and the historic Rodney Parade Ground project shared the history of a locally important County Cricket ground.
Projects
Cardiff Remembers/Caerdydd yn Cofio
The Firing Line Museum, located in Cardiff Castle are running a project focusing on collections connected to the First World War held by project partners, Cardiff Story Museum, Glamorgan Archives, Western Front Association and Cardiff University.