The Heritage Revival Fund supports communities to rescue, revive and repurpose neglected historic buildings, particularly those located in town centres.
Its purpose is to empower community organisations to take ownership of valued heritage assets and transform them into sustainable, vibrant spaces that meet local needs.
Funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Historic England, the programme forms part of the government’s wider £270 million investment in arts and culture.
A key strand of the programme is the Project Viability Grants, which offer up to £15,000 for early‑stage development work. These grants help charities and not‑for‑profit organisations assess whether their historic building project is feasible. Typical activities include exploring the building’s condition, assessing potential uses and evaluating whether those uses are suitable and financially sustainable. Priority is given to projects based in town‑centre historic buildings. Although match funding, while preferred, is not essential.
Grants cover project costs and overheads and apply to projects at RIBA Plan of Work stages 0–2. Eligible organisations can submit an online Expression of Interest at any time and will receive an outcome within approximately six weeks. If the project aligns with the fund’s objectives, applicants are invited to submit a full application with additional guidance provided.