Cultural Resilience Grants

The purpose of the grant is to support arts and cultural organisations to improve their financial viability and to unlock new opportunities. We understand that each organisation is unique and operates within a different set of circumstances. We do therefore not want to be too prescriptive on how the funding should be used.  

However, given the limited funding available, we want to ensure these grants will have a tangible, positive impact and provide support for organisations with the greatest need.  

We would need you to tell us why this investment is crucial in improving your viability – and how you will use the funding to unlock a new opportunity. In terms of how the funding could be used, we have included a few examples below – just remember that these should be thought about in the context of improved viability/unlocking new opportunities.  

• Exploring new operating models and organisational development activity (e.g. development of a new business plan) 
• Board development and governance reviews (e.g. facilitators, away days)  
• Core staffing or operating costs where this will enable exploration of future opportunities and/or make a significant impact on future financial viability 
• Supporting fundraising activity (e.g. fundraising support, fundraising plans, NPO applications)  
• Skills training and continuous professional development (CPD)  
• Purchasing of new equipment or systems  
• Improvements to environmental sustainability where this also leads to improved efficiencies and financial savings  
• Marketing and communications  
• Travel costs to sector events, trade shows, trade missions or other specific  opportunities  
• Capital feasibility studies for accessing future capital funding 

You can apply for multiple items/activities within one application, but the total value of the application cannot exceed £10,000 including VAT (where applicable). We have set a lower limit of £2,500 to encourage expenditure that makes a material and identifiable difference to your organisation.

Applications will need to include a detailed breakdown of your intended expenditure, with clear, evidenced costings based on known costs, recent quotations received or reliably researched estimates. 

What we won’t fund 

• Capital expenditure on buildings and facilities 
• Purchase or leasing of land or buildings (excluding room/venue hire fees) 
• Purchases or activity that has already taken place, or for which contracts are already signed/purchase orders issued before grant application decision date 
• Using the grant to further invest into e.g. stocks or shares  
• School/college/FE courses that are already enrolled upon, or part of normal curriculum delivery 
• Total costs exceeding £10,000