National Lottery Heritage Fund Success

In our Spring newsletter, we advised that the new National Lottery Heritage Fund has a much clearer focus on outcomes for people rather than buildings. This includes developing skills, improving well-being, creating jobs and encouraging a sense of identity and belonging. From using broad consultation in the early planning stages, through to involving as many diverse voices as possible in the project’s delivery – inclusion is everything.

Over the past 12 months, Gifted has been engaged by several heritage-based organisations to help shape their future fundraising strategies. This has included feasibility work and strategy support for English Heritage, Dr Johnson’s House and Birmingham’s Vintage Trains Charitable Trust. In each case, the aim has been to demonstrate a vision for bringing the pleasures of unique heritage assets to even more people from very different backgrounds.

Regional wins in Rochdale and Warwick

Back in 2017, we announced an exciting partnership with Link4Life in Rochdale, Dippy the dinosaur’s North West hosts. Since then, Gifted’s Amy Stevens has been working closely with the Rochdale team to deliver the most effective fundraising strategy and secure substantial support from the Heritage Fund. Following a successful first round grant of just over £90,000, a further £160,000 has recently been awarded and will significantly boost Dippy’s impact across the region with a programme of interactive, educational activities and a landmark exhibition.

‘We’re over the moon for everyone who has worked so hard to get this project across the line,’ says Amy. ‘Thanks to the backing of the Heritage Fund and other local givers, when the North West opens its doors to Dippy in February 2020, visitors can look forward to a truly epic encounter with the world’s most loveable dinosaur.’

In Warwick, we’re also delighted to be supporting the Lord Leycester Hospital after their successful first round bid towards ‘Project Seven Centuries of Midlands Civic Heritage.’ The Charity’s vision for a revitalised historic icon in the centre of Warwick is to reconnect an exciting medieval and Elizabethan story with contemporary town life.  In restoring the fabric of the building and creating a modern exhibition space, the plan is to share a rich collection of treasures with people of all ages. The Heritage Fund award of £200,000 will provide the catalyst needed to kick start the development phase of the project and pave the way for a second round application.

‘This is wonderful news for the Lord Leycester,’ says Chris Goldie, who worked with the Charity to prepare the initial grant application. ‘It’s clear that there is a huge amount of support for this £3.5 million pound project which promises to  deliver a wealth of benefits to a wide range of visitors.’

If your organisation is thinking about a National Lottery Heritage Fund application and you need guidance on the next important steps, please get in touch and ask for an initial discussion with one of our directors.