Idlewild Trust’s Conservation Grants

Idlewild Trust’s Conservation Grants

The Idlewild Trust offers grants of up to £7,000 twice a year to UK registered charities that have at least two sets of Annual Returns listed on the Charities Commission website

The funding is for projects that aim to conserve historic or artistically important objects and works of art including artefacts, textiles, furniture, metalwork, manuscripts, and wall paintings. Works must be in museums, galleries, and historic buildings or their grounds, and be accessible to the public. Priority will be given to applications that include a knowledge sharing element as an outcome of the project, such as with professional colleagues, for example a webinar, lecture, or published article. A public engagement activity that helps to improve the public understanding of conservation practice is encouraged.

The following are not eligible for a conservation grant:

• Places of worship.
• Structural repair of buildings or routine maintenance, cleaning and preventative work on objects or works of art.
• Capital projects/new facilities including extensions, redevelopments, heating and lighting.
• Environmental projects or conservation of lands.
• Large projects that are dependent on a major grant if that major grant has not yet been secured.

There are two funding rounds per year.

Applications will be accepted from 8 June to 5 September 2026 (midday).