Further Support for Projects in England, Thanks to Renewed Partnership with the Pilgrim Trust

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is pleased to announce that the Historic Assets into Community Ownership grants programme in England has received a great boost, thanks to generous support from the Pilgrim Trust.

The AHF provides support to help communities preserve and repurpose buildings, many of which are vacant or at risk, for diverse uses that deliver tangible social and economic impact in their areas. In particular, the Historic Assets into Community Ownership programme, which is also supported by Historic England, provides early-stage grants to help charities and social enterprises develop their initial plans to restore and re-use historic buildings.

This new three-year partnership with the Pilgrim Trust invests £150,000 in the programme to provide additional Project Viability Grants to projects in England in 2023-25, with a particular focus on those located in the top 30% most deprived areas, as defined by the Index of Multiple Deprivation.

For more information about the current funding available in England, please visit: https://ahfund.org.uk/grants/england/

Kelcey Wilson-Lee, Director of Programmes at the AHF, said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Pilgrim Trust, whose generous support will allow us to help more charities and social enterprises in England to find long-term sustainable uses for historic buildings in their communities. We are excited to see what projects we can together support to move forward over the next three years.”

Sue Bowers, Director of the Pilgrim Trust, said:

“It’s a pleasure to be renewing our partnership with the AHF for another three years. Their expertise and in-depth knowledge of the historic buildings sector means they are well placed to support organisations find new uses for historic buildings. This is especially important for communities located in the top 30% of most deprived areas in England – where rejuvenating vacant or at-risk buildings delivers social and economic benefits.”

Notes to Editors

1. The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is a registered charity, working since 1976 to promote the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings for the benefit of communities across the UK, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. It provides advice, grants and loans, and is the only specialist heritage social investor in the UK.
2. The Historic Assets into Community Ownership grants programme in England is supported by Historic England and the Pilgrim Trust.
3. For press enquiries, please contact Tia Jackson at tia.jackson@ahfund.org.uk

About the Pilgrim Trust

The Pilgrim Trust is an independent charitable trust that was set up in 1930 to support the urgent and future needs of the UK. Over the decades, it has supported a wide range of causes, adapting to the changing circumstances and needs in the UK. The Pilgrim Trust gives around £3 million in grants each year to charities and other public bodies that focus on preserving the UK’s heritage or bringing about social change. Its aims are to improve the life chances of the most vulnerable and preserve the best of our past for the public to enjoy.