The scheme is open to not-for-profit non-governmental heritage-focused organisations with demonstrated national and or regional relevance. Organisations that fit the following criteria are eligible to apply:
- Company Type: Your not-for-profit organisation must be established as a Company limited by guarantee (CLG) and must not be controlled either directly or indirectly by any state or other body.
- Constitution requirements: The constitution of the organisation must prohibit the payment of remuneration to the directors.
- Purpose of the organisation: The purpose must relate to one of the aspects of heritage mentioned in the Heritage Acts 1995, 2018, or organisations engaged in the protection of intangible cultural heritage as part of Ireland’s commitments to the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Demonstrated national and or regional relevance: The organisation must carry out work that has application at a national and or regional scale or, its work is being used to inform policies at a national and or regional scale.
- Organisational work plan: The organisation must be undertaking innovative small to medium scale actions that provide clear outcomes that assist in the delivery of one or more of the following – the Heritage Council’s strategic plan; the National Biodiversity Action Plan; Heritage Ireland 2030; Places for People- National Policy on Architecture and the Built & Archaeological Heritage Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan.
Ineligible Organisations
Private companies, individuals, public bodies or organisations controlled either directly or indirectly by any state or other body are not eligible to apply for funding under this scheme.
Please note Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2024- will open in February
A separate Community Heritage Grant Scheme will be advertised in February 2024 for community/voluntary and not-for-profit organisations to apply for funding for heritage projects. Further details will be available in the New Year. Such projects should NOT be applied for under the Heritage Organisations Support Fund.
Objective of the Fund
The Heritage Organisations Support Fund aims to build the capacity of non-governmental organisations working in the heritage sector in Ireland by providing funding towards their core costs. This funding would provide support to:
- develop and strengthen the skills, processes, and resources that heritage organisations need to survive, adapt, and thrive in the uncertainty of recent times.
- heritage organisations who play a key role in the heritage infrastructure of Ireland and to help achieve national policy and plans.
Funding available
The maximum amount available per organisation is €60,000. We envisage the average offers to be in the €30,000 – €60,000 range and that about 30 to 40 organisations will be supported by this scheme. Funding will be allocated on a competitive basis. This will be in line with the assessment criteria set out on Page 10.
How and when to apply
You must apply through the Heritage Council’s online grants system located on our website Online Grants System – Heritage Council. We only accept forms submitted online. We do not provide or accept paper forms. Please Note: Only one application can be made per organisation.
To consider your application, we must receive your online application along with supporting documents by 15 January 2024 at 5pm. Applications, or additional information will not be accepted after this time. We will let you know, in writing, whether your application is successful or not in early March 2024.