Grants of between £1,000 and £250,000 are available to organisations and individuals in England and Wales to help preserve heritage buildings of architectural significance, particularly historic country houses, their gardens and grounds, and the works of art within them.
Previously known as the Country Houses Foundation, the Historic Houses Foundation is an independent charity which gives grants to help preserve heritage buildings of architectural significance, particularly historic country houses, their gardens and grounds, and the works of art within them.
Applications can be made by either organisations or individuals for properties in England and Wales, providing they can demonstrate that they have the legal responsibility for the property in question, ideally owning the property or estate or holding a lease with more than 20 years to run. Applicants that can evidence they have a legally binding agreement with a minimum lease period of 20 years are also eligible to apply for a grant.
Buildings should preferably be listed, scheduled, or in the case of a garden, included in the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens. The Foundation will also award grants to projects which involve an unlisted building of sufficient historic or architectural significance or importance, if it is within a conservation area.
Applicants should fulfil the following criteria:
- The building or structure is listed. However, grants that involve an unlisted building, particularly in a conservation area, may be considered.
- The project can proceed within a reasonable timeframe (usually within 1-2 years).
- The project is sustainable with a suitable conservation and/or business plan. A grant is unlikely to be awarded without this information.
- The project will enhance the historic environment.
- There is a compelling need for the work undertaken to be done within the next two to three years.
- There is a financial need for the grant.
- There will be appropriate public access, and
The structure is rural, either in the countryside or where it has been overtaken by urban or suburban development.
Grants of between £1,000 and £250,000 are available, although in actuality awards rarely exceed £50,000. Please note that the Foundation normally expects a matched funding contribution from all applicants.
The scheme has a 2-stage application process consisting of:
- Submission of a pre-applications form.
- Successful applicants at the pre-application stage are invited to submit a full application. The Foundation usually arranges a site visit with the applicant at the full application stage.
Further information, guidance and a pre-application form is available on the Foundation’s website. Pre-application forms can be submitted at any time. The Foundation normally responds to all pre-applications within a month.