Heritage Lottery Fund

In view of the impact of the Olympics on the future income of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), this funder has introduced changes to its application procedures.The new HLF online pre-application advice forms and application forms are now available for the following programmes. Heritage Grants (grants of ?50,000 or more) - Although there is still a two stage application process, stage one is simpler and the turnaround time scheduled to be quicker (three months). There will also be no project development grants under the new scheme. HLF will start assessing first-round applications under the new programme in September 2008 and will make its first decisions in December 2008. Bids over ?5m will be assessed once a year (30 September). Your Heritage (grants of between ?3,000-?50,000) - The minimum grant has been lowered and the application guidance revised. Young Roots (grants of between ?3,000-?25,000 for young people celebrating heritage) - The minimum grant has been lowered, the age group widened (up to 25 years of age) and the application guidance revised. It is also still possible to apply under the old rules and procedures for the Your Heritage or Young Roots grant schemes until 30 June 2008.