How should heritage be funded? What are the opportunities and challenges around public, private and philanthropic funding models? These are some of the key questions underpinning the 2024 Heritage Debate. This year the The Historic Environment Forum worked in partnership with The Heritage Alliance to produce a series of case studies which will contribute to the debate – sharing different models of funding heritage, as well as a diversity of views on the subject.
Grant Smith, Education and Outreach Officer at Temple Bar London
What type of funding has been effective in supporting your work?
Temple Bar Trust is part funded by Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Fund which pays for my salary to run an education and outreach programme. This is being delivered by Wren300 and Temple Bar. Temple Bar also runs a programme with Archimake, aimed at secondary school students learning architectural drawing. Annual report of events run with detail of attendees is prepared for City of London funder. A couple of other donors have also provided funding.
A programme of talks and films, as well as hiring the Chamber for private dinners provides additional income.
What setbacks have you experienced related to funding?
Funding from CILN is limited to five years, after which a one-year break is required before further funding can be applied for.
Problems in identifying funders and securing funds once applications are made. Funding application process is highly competitive; we are all chasing the same penny.
What solutions are required to address funding challenges in heritage?
- Imaginative usage of heritage space for filming, private hire, one-off events
- Collaboration between applicants
- Provide access to public on admission fee basis
- Ensure relevance to today’s markets and trends. e.g. recently St. Paul’s held a concert by Patti Smith, sponsored by Fabric nightclub
- Targeted social media
- Highlight unique aspect of space (not just that is historic)
