Historic buildings and structures
We help fund the preservation and repair of listed historic buildings, structures and architectural features. We give special consideration to those helping find sustainable solutions for the conservation and re-use of historic buildings – especially those at risk and of outstanding importance.
Need to know
| Grant size: | Generally, £1,000 to £30,000 (average approx. £15,000). Sometimes larger sums are considered. |
| What funding covers: | Project costs, staff costs, fees, internships, initial exploratory work and capital costs. In exceptional cases, salary costs and other support costs. |
| What funding does not cover: | We do not fund general refurbishment works, acquisition costs, renewal of services, new facilities such as kitchens, or furniture and fittings. We do not fund options appraisals or feasibility studies. Like for like repair works, such as roof and window repairs, are a lower priority unless they offer added public benefit such as opening up a previously unused building or space. |
| Small grants: | Grants for £5,000 or less are considered on a rolling basis between meetings. You can expect a response within four weeks once you have submitted a stage two application. |
| Deadlines: | You may apply at any time. Stage one applications are considered on a rolling basis. Stage two applications above £5,000 are considered quarterly at our Board meetings in March, June, September, November. The stage two application deadline for the November meeting has now passed. Cut off dates in 2027 are 8 January, 9 April, 23 July, 1 October. See How to Apply below. |
| Timeline: | If successful, we normally expect a grantee to claim their grant within a year and complete the project/piece of work within two years. |
| Success rate: | In 2025, 53% of stage one applications and 73% of stage two applications were successful. Approx. 12 grants are awarded at each Trustee meeting. |
Types of projects we support
We look at all projects holistically and explore where a grant will have most impact and help organisations to unlock other sources of funding.
We are often a ‘stepping stone’ funder, supporting early stages of a project where support is needed to develop a scheme. This might include initial exploratory and project development work, professional surveys as well as capital works.
Typically, we fund smaller charities who have less access to resources.
We see it as vital that the architects and building contractors you use are experienced in the repair of historic buildings. All our projects champion best practice in preservation, repair and conservation work.
Our strategic partners
Working with strategic partners helps us increase our reach and impact. Our work with the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) supports the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings for the benefit of communities.
It operates UK-wide, but especially focuses on economically disadvantaged areas. We support AHF’s programme to Wales and Northern Ireland by funding project viability and project development.
Who can apply?
You can apply if you are:
- A UK registered charity
- An organisation with exempt charitable status
- A recognised public body
- A Community Benefit Society*
- A Community Interest Company (CIC) limited by guarantee*
Your work or project must:
- Be UK based
- Not be complete (we don’t provide retrospective grants)
- Focus on a listed building or structure
Does your project relate to a place of worship? If so, go to Places of worship. *Please see FAQs for more information on eligibility criteria.
How to apply
- Take the eligibility quiz and discover if you can apply for one of our grants.
- You will not be able to access our application forms without checking your eligibility.
- All applications must be made on our online grants system, Flexigrant.
- Flexigrant has clear instructions on how to fill in the application forms.
- View a sample Stage One form and a Stage Two form before applying.
- Stage One: submit key details about your project so that we can check its suitability. You’ll get a response within four weeks.
- Stage Two: set out your application in full. You can apply at any time within 12 months after a successful stage one application.
- If you are applying for £5,000 or less, you should receive a response within four weeks.
- If you are applying for over £5,000 our Trustees make final stage two decisions at their quarterly meetings in March, June, September and November. The stage two application deadline for the November meeting has now passed. Cut off dates in 2027 are 8 January, 9 April, 23 July, 1 October.
If you have any questions, email us on info@thepilgrimtrust.org.uk.
“When we secured Devizes Assize Court, our first task was to undertake emergency repairs. Early financial help from funders like the Pilgrim Trust has been invaluable and given us the confidence to take the project forward.”