Heritage Lottery Fund Planning your heritage project & our small grants programmes

2. Heritage Lottery Fund Planning your heritage project & our small grants programmes

3. Our strategic aims are to: • conserve the UK’s diverse heritage for present and future generations to experience and enjoy; • help more people, and a wider range of people, to take an active part in and make decisions about their heritage; and • help people to learn about their own and other people’s heritage

4. Recent changes • increased Lottery sales and change in Lottery shares have increased HLF budgets from 2011 onwards • increased competition • batched decision meetings

5. Is HLF the right funder for you? • is it a project? • is there a heritage focus? • are there learning and participation activities? • is the applicant a constituted, non-profit organisation?

6. What we don’t fund • projects with no heritage focus or merit • general running costs • core business or responsibilities (e.g. routine repairs) • DDA works • existing staff costs • rent or loan payments; mortgages • business plans, options appraisals, feasibility work • project continuation costs • travel abroad

7. Young Roots At a glance… • grants of £3,000 - £25,000 • young people aged between 13 - 25 years old • aimed at youth and community organisations • heritage & youth partnership • decision in approx 10 weeks • online application form

8. Turning Pages The Paper Birds Theatre Company were awarded a grant of £4,200 • 20 young people developed skills in interviewing and research to explore the history of the library • members of the library’s older people’s forum were interviewed to gather their memories of the library and local community • a live performance took place and a DVD and education pack were created

9. YourHeritage At a glance… • grants of £3,000 - £50,000 • capital or activity project • project based / additionality • decision in approx 10 weeks • online application form

10. Bradford’s Lost Ancient Woodland Bradford Environmental Action Trust were awarded £8,000 • trained volunteers in research and conservation skills • raised awareness of local ancient woodland and provided opportunities for the community to engage with their natural heritage • ancient woodlands recorded and preserved

11. How we assess your application We will also assess: • the need / demand for your project • the quality of the project (and if well thought out) • how you will manage it, during and after completion • how you will measure success • if your project is financially viable and good value for money

12. Common Rejection Reasons Aims • not a heritage project • does not meet aims • all capital works Group • project continuation • failure to evidence skills and expertise Need and demand • is it an appropriate response to the needs of the target audience? • who have you spoken to about the project?

13. Common Rejection Reasons Project costs & partnership funding • cannot match Lottery monies • unrealistic partnership funding • value for Money • balance of costs • failure to scope the project • high proportion of overheads

14. Plan your project before you apply • The idea • The goals • Task list • Timeline

15. Example goals and steps

16. Completing the form describe what you want to do clearly avoid buzzwords, jargon and vague language ask someone who does not know your project to read your draft application form ask a colleague to check the finance section make sure your declaration is signed by your chairperson etc (not the main contact)

17. Top Tips • make sure you read the programme guidance and help notes • explain how your project meets HLF’s aims • clearly describe your project and the heritage focus • assume no prior knowledge • don’t develop a project in isolation • be realistic • get advice!!!

18. Yorkshire & The Humber Development Team Heritage Lottery Fund 4th Floor, Carlton Tower 34 St Paul’s Street Leeds, LS1 2QB Telephone: 0113 3888030 Email: y&hdevelopment@hlf.org.uk Website: www.hlf.org.uk