Funding for Museums & Galleries in the United Kingdom

The foundation generally awards grants towards refurbishing or creating new galleries and, occasionally to education and learning spaces.

Funding Information

• Usual grant range: £50,000 – £500,000
• Minimum grant amount: £15,000
• Match funding required: Yes, if project cost is >£50,000
• Funding covers: New build, refurbishment and equipment to improve the display and interpretation of nationally significant collections

Ineligible Funding

• Examples of ineligible projects and costs include:
  • Purchase of land or existing buildings (including a building’s freehold)
  • Grants direct to individuals
  • Grants through conduit organisations
  • Overheads, maintenance costs and VAT
  • Non-specific appeals (including circulars) and endowment funds
  • Costs of meetings, exhibitions, concerts, expeditions, conferences, lectures, etc.
  • Salary costs
  • Running costs, including vehicle fuel and maintenance
  • Film, websites or promotional materials
  • Repayment of loans
  • Projects that have already been completed or will be by the time of award

Eligibility Criteria

• Who can apply:
  • Registered or exempt charity (or equivalent) or local authority
• 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.

For more information, visit The Wolfson Foundation.