Deadline: 1-Jul-23
The Wolfson Foundation is now awarding grants to support libraries and archives caring for nationally significant collections and which have a clear emphasis on public access and engagement.
The Wolfson Foundation usually awards grants to collection storage facilities and research, education or interpretation spaces.
Funding Information
- Minimum grant amount: £15,000
- Usual grant range: £15,000 – £100,000
- Match funding required: Yes, if project cost is >£50,000
Eligible Projects
- Your project should have at least one of the following aims:
- Enhanced care of collections of national significance
- Better public engagement with and understanding of collections
- Increased numbers of visitors to libraries and archives
- Improved future sustainability of the organisation
- Conservation of architectural heritage.
Eligibility Criteria
- Your library or archive should:
- be operated by a registered charity or a local authority
- be fully accredited under the Archive Service Accreditation Scheme
- be open and accessible to the public for most of the year, with a reasonable number of visitors. They know that COVID-19 continues to affect visitor numbers and understand that the environment for many public sites has changed
- hold a permanent collection of national significance
- For organisations based in England this is generally defined as holding a Designated Outstanding Collection (Arts Council England). Where a collection is not recognised under this scheme, 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.
What they don’t fund?
- 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.
For more information, visit Funding for Libraries & Archives.