Providing funding towards the core costs of not-for-profit non-governmental organisations working in the heritage sector in Ireland.

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. 

Recognising the critical role heritage projects play in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss, the Heritage Organisations Support Fund 2025 prioritises support for projects that demonstrate environmentally sustainable practices. This funding will provide support to:

• develop and strengthen the skills, processes, and resources that heritage organisations need to survive, adapt, and thrive.
• heritage organisations who play a key role in the heritage infrastructure of Ireland and to help achieve national policy and plans.

New for 2025

• Funding will be allocated to core costs incurred from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. Previously funding covered the shorter time frame of March to November annually.
• Successful applicants can only receive funding under one Heritage Council grant scheme.
• Given the increased demand for the scheme, the maximum grant available in 2025 to applicant organisations will be €50,000.

Who can apply

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: Applicants must show impact at a national or regional level by operating across two or more local authority areas and demonstrating best practices in a specific heritage area that can influence broader policies. Examples include projects spanning multiple counties, piloting innovative heritage practices, or contributing to policy through exemplary regional work.

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 2023-2030; Heritage Ireland 2030; Places for People- National Policy on Architecture National Climate Action Plan and the relevant Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plans (eg Biodiversity, Built Heritage and Archaeology).

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 2025- will open in February
A separate Community Heritage Grant Scheme will open for applications in February 2025 for community/voluntary and not-for-profit organisations to apply for funding for heritage projects. Further details will be available at the end of November 2024. Such projects should NOT be applied for under the Heritage Organisations Support Fund.

Funding available

The maximum amount available per organisation is €50,000. We envisage the average offers to be in the €30,000 – €50,000 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.

Information booklet

Download the information booklet for the scheme in pdf below or keep reading on this page.

Heritage Organisations Support Fund 2025 PDF (2.665 MB)

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 that a new Online Grants System was introduced in 2024. If you did not receive grant funding in 2024 you will have to register first before you can start your application. Instructions are located here.

To consider your application, we must receive it online along with supporting documents by 5 p.m. on 27 January 2025. Applications or additional information will not be accepted after this time. We will let you know in writing in March 2025 whether your application is successful or not.

Please Note: Only one application can be made per organisation.

What we can fund

• Core costs to support essential organisational and administrative spending. These are the key expenses required to keep your organisation running.
• Funding towards your organisation’s core costs. Core costs include existing staff salaries, rent, rates, statutory and/or legal responsibilities etc.
• Costs to help your organisation be more resilient in the future, for example, adapting business plans, corporate governance improvements, risk management reviews and piloting new ways of working.
• For professional institutions – funding of bursaries for professional training or for specific personnel to deliver accredited CPD courses on heritage.
• Training and skills development costs.
• Hiring of new or contract staff. A clear job description for the post must be provided with your application.

National Living Wage: The Heritage Council supports organisations in receipt of Heritage Council funding paying employees the real living wage.