Heritage Revival Fund Opens for Applications

Charities, social enterprises and community organisations in England can apply for funding to help rescue and reuse historic buildings in town centres.

The Heritage Revival Fund, delivered by the Architectural Heritage Fund, supports community-led projects that bring neglected or underused historic buildings back into use for local benefit.

What is the fund for?

The fund aims to help communities:

• Take ownership of historic buildings
• Repair and restore buildings at risk
• Bring empty or underused buildings back into community use
• Create spaces that support local people, services and activities
• Support town centre regeneration

Priority will be given to projects that can show clear social and economic benefits for the local community, especially in more deprived areas.

How much funding is available?

There are three types of grant:

Project Viability Grants – up to £20,000

For early-stage work to explore whether a building project is realistic and sustainable.

Project Development Grants – up to £100,000

For organisations that have a viable project and need support to develop plans, business cases, surveys or design work.

Capital Works Grants – up to £500,000

For repair, restoration and conservation work to bring a building back into use.

Who can apply?

The fund is open to not-for-private-profit organisations, including:

• Charities
• Charitable Incorporated Organisations
• Community Benefit Societies
• Community Interest Companies limited by guarantee
• Co-operatives
• Parish and town councils
• Not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee

Some organisations linked to places of worship may also be eligible where the project is about wider community ownership and use.

What can the funding pay for?

Funding can support costs such as:

• Feasibility studies
• Building surveys
• Business plans
• Legal support for building acquisition
• Governance support
• Architectural drawings
• Fundraising plans
• Project management
• Repair and conservation works

Match funding

Some match funding is needed depending on the grant:

• Viability Grants: match funding preferred but not essential
• Development Grants: at least 10% match funding required
• Capital Grants: at least 20% match funding required

Key dates

Expressions of Interest can be submitted at any time.

Full application deadlines for Capital Works Grants in 2026 are:

• 22 June 2026
• 21 September 2026
• 14 December 2026

Find out more
Full guidance and application details are available from the Architectural Heritage Fund website