Deadline: 07-Aug-2026
The Creative Foundations Fund (CFF) Round 2, launched by Arts Council England, provides capital funding to help cultural and creative organisations in England restore, improve, and modernise buildings, equipment, and cultural infrastructure. The fund supports projects that strengthen financial sustainability, improve public access, reduce operational risks, and enhance environmental performance.
Eligible not-for-profit cultural organisations can apply for grants ranging from £100,000 to £10 million under two funding strands. Applications must support capital expenditure, such as building improvements, equipment purchases, or combined infrastructure projects that enable continued cultural activity.
What is the Creative Foundations Fund (CFF)?
The Creative Foundations Fund (CFF) is a capital investment programme by Arts Council England designed to help cultural organisations maintain, improve, and future-proof their physical assets.
The fund supports organisations that need investment in:
- Cultural buildings
- Creative infrastructure
- Essential equipment
- Energy efficiency improvements
- Audience access improvements
- Long-term sustainability projects
The programme aims to ensure that cultural organisations can continue delivering high-quality creative activities for communities across England.
Key Objectives of the Creative Foundations Fund
The fund supports projects that contribute to the following outcomes:
Strengthening Cultural Organisations
Projects should help organisations:
- Improve economic sustainability
- Develop stronger financial and business models
- Reduce long-term maintenance costs
- Increase operational resilience
Protecting Cultural Activities
Funding helps reduce the risk of:
- Cancelled performances
- Interrupted exhibitions
- Event closures caused by equipment or infrastructure failures
Improving Access and Inclusion
Projects should support:
- Increased audience engagement
- Better access for underserved communities
- More inclusive cultural participation
Improving Environmental Sustainability
The fund encourages:
- Energy-efficient cultural buildings
- Reduced environmental impact
- Sustainable equipment and infrastructure improvements
Funding Amount Available
The Creative Foundations Fund has a total budget of up to £76.8 million.
Funding is divided into two strands:
Strand 1: Small and Medium Capital Projects
Grant size:
- Minimum: £100,000
- Maximum: £1 million
Supports:
- Building improvement projects
- Equipment purchases
- Combined building and equipment projects
Strand 2: Large Capital Projects
Grant size:
- Above £1 million
- Maximum: £10 million
Supports:
- Large building projects
- Combined building and equipment projects
Important: Equipment-only projects are not eligible under Strand 2.
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Eligible Organisations
The fund is open to:
- Not-for-profit cultural organisations
- Charities
- Charitable trusts
- Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
- Charitable companies
- Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Non-profit distributing limited companies
- Statutory bodies delivering cultural services
- Public bodies running cultural programmes
- Charitable community benefit societies with suitable asset locks
Location Requirement
Applicants must:
- Be based in England
- Be registered in England
- Have cultural aims that fall within the remit of Arts Council England
Organisations With Closed Buildings
Organisations whose buildings are currently closed may apply if they can demonstrate:
- Previous cultural activity before closure, or
- A clear reopening plan
- Strong alignment with the fund objectives
What Projects Can Be Funded?
The Creative Foundations Fund supports capital expenditure that can be recorded as assets on an organisation’s balance sheet.
Eligible activities include:
Building Improvement Projects
Examples include:
- Restoration of existing cultural buildings
- Renovation works
- Expansion of facilities on existing sites
- Infrastructure improvements
Equipment Investment
Examples include:
- Cultural equipment
- Movable furniture
- Vehicles
- Technical equipment required for creative activities
Combined Projects
Applications may include both:
- Building improvements
- Equipment purchases
provided they meet the fund’s capital requirements.
What Does the Fund Aim to Achieve?
Successful projects should help organisations:
- Continue delivering cultural programmes
- Improve visitor and audience experiences
- Reduce financial risks
- Protect important cultural assets
- Increase environmental efficiency
- Strengthen community engagement
How to Apply?
Applications follow a two-stage process.
Step 1: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Applicants must complete the online Expression of Interest form.
Applicants should explain:
- The organisation’s cultural activities
- The proposed capital project
- The need for investment
- Expected benefits for audiences and communities
- How the project supports fund objectives
Step 2: Full Application Stage
Applicants with strong Expressions of Interest will be invited to submit a full application.
Full applications may require:
- Detailed project plans
- Financial information
- Evidence of organisational capacity
- Project budgets
- Outcomes and impact measurements
Application Deadline
The deadline for submitting an Expression of Interest is:
7 August 2026, 12:00 noon
Successful applicants invited to the next stage can submit full applications from:
17 August 2026
Application Rules
Organisations can submit:
- One Expression of Interest for either Strand 1 or Strand 2
Exceptions:
- Statutory and public bodies delivering cultural services may submit multiple applications if each relates to a separate project at a different location.
Why It Matters
Cultural organisations often depend on buildings, equipment, and infrastructure to deliver performances, exhibitions, education programmes, and community activities.
The Creative Foundations Fund helps protect these assets by:
- Preventing disruption caused by infrastructure failure
- Supporting sustainable cultural development
- Improving public access to culture
- Helping organisations operate more efficiently
- Preserving cultural activity for future generations
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
1. Applying for Non-Capital Costs
The fund supports capital investment only. It does not primarily support:
- Routine operating costs
- General staffing expenses
- Non-capital activities
2. Submitting Weak Project Justification
Applications should clearly explain:
- Why investment is needed
- What problem the project solves
- How communities will benefit
3. Ignoring Long-Term Impact
Strong applications should demonstrate:
- Future sustainability
- Reduced maintenance costs
- Improved audience experience
- Environmental benefits
4. Choosing the Wrong Funding Strand
Applicants should carefully select:
- Strand 1 for projects up to £1 million
- Strand 2 for projects above £1 million involving building works
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Creative Foundations Fund?
The Creative Foundations Fund is an Arts Council England capital grant programme supporting cultural organisations in England to improve buildings, equipment, and infrastructure.
2. How much funding can organisations receive?
Funding ranges from:
- £100,000 to £1 million under Strand 1
- Above £1 million to £10 million under Strand 2
3. Who can apply for the fund?
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit cultural organisations based and registered in England, including charities, CICs, trusts, and public bodies delivering cultural services.
4. Can organisations apply for equipment purchases?
Yes. Equipment purchases are eligible under Strand 1. However, equipment-only projects are not eligible under Strand 2.
5. Can organisations with closed buildings apply?
Yes. Closed venues may apply if they demonstrate previous cultural activity or clear plans to reopen and contribute to the fund’s goals.
6. How many applications can an organisation submit?
Most organisations can submit only one Expression of Interest. Public bodies may submit multiple applications if each project is separate and located in different places.
7. What is the application deadline?
The Expression of Interest deadline is 7 August 2026 at noon.
Conclusion
The Creative Foundations Fund (CFF) Round 2 provides major capital support for cultural organisations across England to upgrade buildings, invest in equipment, improve sustainability, and protect long-term creative activity. Eligible organisations should prepare strong project proposals demonstrating clear cultural, community, financial, and environmental benefits before the August 2026 deadline.
For more information, visit Arts Council England.