Wolfson Foundation: Funding for museums & galleries

Overview

Funding for places

About 85% of their funding is for capital infrastructure – buildings (new build or refurbishments) and equipment. These awards support excellence across education, science & medicine, heritage, humanities & the arts and health & disability.

These grants are for capital initiatives, i.e. buildings (new build or refurbishment) and equipment.

Who can apply:

Registered or exempt charity (or equivalent) or local authority

Location of applicant and project:

UK only

Funding covers:

New build, refurbishment and equipment to improve the display and interpretation of nationally significant collections

Minimum grant amount:

£15,000

Usual grant range:

£50,000 – £500,000

Match funding required:

Yes, if project cost is >£50,000

Decision dates:

June and December annually. Projects must not be completed before a funding decision is made

Wolfson funding programme:

Heritage, Humanities & the Arts

Eligibility

They provide funding for museums and galleries to improve the display and interpretation of nationally significant collections for the public. They generally award grants towards refurbishing or creating new galleries and, occasionally to education and learning spaces.

Your museum or gallery should:

• be operated by a registered charity or a local authority
• be fully accredited under the Museum Accreditation Scheme
• hold a permanent collection of national significance
  This is generally defined as holding a Designated Outstanding Collection (Arts Council England) or a Recognised Collection (Museums Galleries Scotland). Where a collection is not recognised under one of these schemes, or a national designation scheme is not in place, you should make a strong case for the significance of the collection within a national context.
  If the museum or gallery does not hold a permanent collection, you should make a clear case for the significance of the exhibition programme and the work of the organisation within the sector.

Your project should have at least one of the following aims:

• Excellent interpretation of permanent collections of national significance
• Better public engagement with and understanding of collections
• Increased numbers of visitors to museums and galleries
• Improved future sustainability of the organisation
• Conservation of architectural heritage.