Mobilizing More Than Financial Capital - Principles for Strategic Funding
Heritage projects often require financial support at critical stages—from emergency response to capacity building, from documentation of intangible traditions to long-term conservation planning. Yet funding alone is only one element of a broader strategy that must also include advocacy, community partnership, clear documentation, and collaborative decision-making.
We encourage you to explore the resource list, integrate it into project planning, and share your insights with peers. Your experience enriches the field and enables others to navigate complex funding landscapes more effectively. By documenting successes, challenges, and lessons learned, we build a stronger global community for heritage preservation—one grounded in both local knowledge and professional rigor.
Drawing from global initiatives and lessons learned across continents, several guiding principles emerge:
Connect Preservation to Broader Societal Goals
Frame heritage work within community priorities. These may include economic resilience, educational value, climate adaptation, and cultural identity. Connecting preservation to broader goals helps others recognize heritage’s relevance and urgency. Projects that resonate beyond preservation specialists often garner wider support.
Build Meaningful Partnerships
Collaborative relationships among institutions, communities, governments, funders, and practitioners are central to progress. Mutual respect, shared vision, and open communication underpin successful long-term engagement.
Communicate Clearly and Strategically
Visibility matters. Document project significance and articulate why it matters, what will be accomplished, and how. Clear narratives help align stakeholders and make proposals more compelling to funders and community audiences alike. Images are powerful communicators as well.
Make Education and Capacity Building Core Components
Invest in training, skills transfer, documentation, and inclusive learning platforms that extend beyond the immediate project. Training-the-trainer models and accessible online resources broaden impact and support sustainability. Funders who may not traditionally invest in art and culture will often support education and capacity building.
Define Measurable Outcomes
Projects should articulate concrete deliverables and metrics for success. Accountability is essential—not only to funders, but to all heritage stakeholders.
Expanding the Funding Pool
External grants are a powerful tool, but they should complement—not replace—diversified support strategies. Consider these additional pathways:
Individual Donors
Individuals with personal or cultural connections to heritage often bring extraordinary dedication. Engage donors through compelling storytelling and invitations to participate in stewardship and preservation initiatives, not solely through financial transactions.
Government Support
Advocate early and consistently with public agencies at local, regional, and national levels. Align heritage goals with broader policy priorities such as tourism, sustainable development, education, and disaster risk reduction.
Corporate and Private Sector Partners
Where values align, ethical partnerships—through sponsorships, licensing agreements, or co-branding—can catalyze support. Ensure collaborations respect cultural integrity and prioritize community benefit.
Each of these approaches increases visibility, expands the ecosystem of support, and strengthens long-term sustainability.
Heritage Preservation Is Collective
No single institution, funder, or individual can achieve preservation goals alone. Shared challenges require shared solutions—networks of practitioners and communities committed to stewardship, resources, and open communication.
We encourage you to explore the RESOURCE LIST, integrate it into project planning, and share your insights with peers. Your experience enriches the field and enables others to navigate complex funding landscapes more effectively. By documenting successes, challenges, and lessons learned, we build a stronger global community for heritage preservation—one grounded in both local knowledge and professional rigor.
Together, we advance the mission of sustaining tangible and intangible heritage for today and for future generations, at a time when our world may need this investment more than ever.
RESOURCE LIST–Global Fundraising and Support Opportunities for Cultural Heritage and Traditional Practices–
This living list highlights current programs supporting preservation of cultural heritage, traditional craft, and intangible heritage (e.g., dance, language, Indigenous practices). Entries are grouped by topic and include a brief description and link; eligibility and award sizes vary by call.
Craft, Maker & Emergency/Resilience Support
Handmade to market
Supports craft traditions, artisan livelihoods, and long-term cultural sustainability.
REGION: Global South
LINK: www.handmadetomarket.orgCERF+ – Craft Emergency Relief Fund –
Emergency relief and preparedness grants for craft artists; practice continuity and studio safety.
REGION/ELIGIBILITY: U.S.
TYPICAL AWARD RANGE: Emergency grants commonly ~US$3k
CYCLE: Rolling (emergency) + periodic readiness
LINK: cerfplus.org/grantsUNESCO / International Trade Centre (ITC) – Ethical Fashion & Craft Initiatives
Supports traditional craft value chains and safeguarding heritage through sustainable livelihoods.
REGION: Global
LINK: www.intracen.org/itc/sectors/creative-industries/
Global & Multiregional
African World Heritage Fund (AWHF)
Supports conservation, capacity building, and community engagement for cultural heritage in Africa.
REGION: Africa
LINK: www.awhf.net/Aga Khan Trust for Culture
Historic cities and cultural heritage revitalization; partnerships for conservation, craft, and community economic development.
Region/Eligibility: Primarily Muslim world; partnerships worldwide
TYPICAL AWARD RANGE: Partnership/project-based
CYCLE: Ongoing programs (no general open call)
LINK: the.akdn/en/our-agencies/aga-khan-trust-cultureALIPH – International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas –
Emergency and rapid-response grants for heritage at risk (sites, collections, intangible practices) in conflict/crisis contexts.
REGION/ELIGIBILITY: Global (LMICs and conflict/post-conflict settings prioritized)
TYPICAL AWARD RANGE: Varies by call; emergency windows prioritized
CYCLE: Rolling emergency + periodic calls
LINK: www.aliph-foundation.org/en/our-grantsArcadia Fund (incl. British Library Endangered Archives Programme)
Documentation and open access for endangered cultural heritage and archives.
REGION/ELIGIBILITY: Global
TYPICAL AWARD RANGE: EAP pilots/major grants vary
CYCLE: Annual calls + rolling initiatives
LINK: eap.bl.uk/grantsArab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC)
Supports cultural heritage, memory, and traditional practices across the Arab region.
REGION: Arab region
LINK: www.arabculturefund.org/Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC, UK)
Supports heritage research, practice-based research, community heritage, craft, and intangible heritage, often via universities with community partners.
REGION: United Kingdom (with international partners)
LINK: www.ukri.org/councils/ahrc/Asia Cultural Council
Supports cultural exchange, traditional arts practice, and heritage practitioners.
REGION: Asia & international exchange
LINK: www.asiaculturalcouncil.org/Blue Shield International
Supports protection of cultural heritage in armed conflict and disasters through training, preparedness, and rapid response.
REGION: Global
LINK: theblueshield.org/British Council – Cultural Protection Fund –
Heritage protection where cultural heritage is at risk; capacity building, documentation, community engagement.
REGION/ELIGIBILITY: Target regions incl. parts of Africa, Middle East, South Asia
TYPICAL AWARD RANGE: Varies by strand
CYCLE: Periodic calls
LINK: cultural-protection-fund.britishcouncil.org/British Library – Unlocking Our Sound Heritage (Follow-on & Partner Grants) –
Supports safeguarding of intangible heritage through sound archives and community-led documentation.
REGION: United Kingdom & partners
LINK: www.bl.uk/projects/unlocking-our-sound-heritageChristensen Fund
Supports biocultural diversity, Indigenous languages, ritual practices, and traditional ecological knowledge.
REGION: Global (strong Indigenous focus)
LINK:christensenfund.org/grants/CLIR – Recordings at Risk –
Supports preservation of endangered audiovisual recordings, including music, oral history, and ritual.
REGION: Global (administered in the U.S.)
LINK: www.clir.org/grants/recordings-at-risk/Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR)
Supports preservation, access, and digitization of cultural heritage materials, archives, and recordings through grant programs and collaborative initiatives.
REGION/ELIGIBILITY: Primarily U.S. and international partners
TYPICAL AWARD RANGE: Varies by program
CYCLE: Program-dependent
LINK: www.clir.org/Creative Europe – Culture & Culture Moves Europe –
Cross-border cultural cooperation, mobility, residencies; supports heritage, performance, and creative sectors.
REGION/ELIGIBILITY: EU members/affiliates; partners worldwide in some actions
TYPICAL AWARD RANGE: Varies by action/lot
CYCLE: Annual calls
LINK: culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe/creative-europe-culture-strandCultural Heritage at Risk (CHAR) – Netherlands –
Supports emergency protection of threatened cultural heritage and often complements ALIPH interventions.
REGION: Global
LINK: www.culturalheritageatrisk.org/Endangered Languages Documentation Programme (ELDP)
Grants for documentation of endangered languages (recordings, annotation, archiving).
REGION/ELIGIBILITY: Global
TYPICAL AWARD RANGE: Varies by grant type
CYCLE: Annual calls
LINK: www.eldp.net/Goethe-Institut – Cultural Preservation & International Cultural Exchange Programs –
Supports international cultural collaboration, heritage preservation, language, and community-based cultural initiatives through partnerships, project grants, and residency programs.
REGION/ELIGIBILITY: International (program-dependent)
TYPICAL AWARD RANGE: Varies by program
CYCLE: Periodic calls and partnerships
LINK: www.goethe.de/Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts
Supports projects that expand ideas about architecture and its role in the arts, culture, and society, including research, publications, exhibitions, and public programs relevant to cultural heritage and the built environment.
REGION/ELIGIBILITY: International
TYPICAL AWARD RANGE: Varies by grant type
CYCLE: Annual calls
LINK: www.grahamfoundation.org/Getty Foundation – Conservation Grants –
Grants advancing conservation practice, research, and training (museums/collections; select initiatives).
REGION/ELIGIBILITY: Global (program-dependent)
TYPICAL AWARD RANGEy: Project-dependent
CYCLE: By initiative/announcement
LINK: www.getty.edu/foundation/initiatives/Heritage Funding Directory – UK –
Provides over 400 potential UK-based funding sources, along with guides to help secure financial support.
LINK: www.heritagefundingdirectoryuk.org/National Geographic Society – Grants –
Storytelling, documentation, exploration; language and cultural knowledge documentation projects often eligible.
REGION/ELIGIBILITY: Global
TYPICAL AWARD RANGE: Commonly ~US$10k–US$100k (varies)
CYCLE: Multiple annual cycles
LINK: www.nationalgeographic.org/funding-opportunities/grants/Rosenwald Foundation
Historically supported education, African American cultural institutions, and community heritage initiatives; archival collections and affiliated programs continue to support research and preservation related to this legacy.
REGION/ELIGIBILITY: United States (primarily historical/archival research contexts)
TYPICAL AWARD RANGE: Varies by affiliated programs
CYCLE: Program-dependent
LINK: www.rosenwaldfund.org/Nordic Culture Fund / Nordic Council of Ministers
Supports cultural heritage, Indigenous Sámi culture, traditional knowledge, and cross-border Nordic collaboration.
REGION: Nordic countries & Arctic
LINK: www.nordiskkulturfond.org/Open Society Foundations – Arts & Culture / Democratic Practice –
Supports cultural heritage linked to human rights, minority cultures, memory work, and post-conflict contexts.
REGION: Global
LINK: www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grantsPrince Claus Fund – Grants & Awards –
Culture & development; support to artists, cultural practitioners, and heritage initiatives.
REGION/ELIGIBILITY: Global (focus on Africa, Asia, Latin America, Caribbean)
TYPICAL AWARD RANGE: Varies by program
CYCLE: Annual/periodic calls
LINK: princeclausfund.org/Rolex Awards for Enterprise
Awards for innovative projects with broad benefit, including cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and environmental links.
REGION/ELIGIBILITY: Global
TYPICAL AWARD RANGE: Awards (cash + support)
CYCLE: Periodic cycles
LINK: www.rolex.org/rolex-awardsUNESCO – International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD) –
Projects that strengthen creative sectors, cultural policy, and diversity of cultural expressions.
REGION/ELIGIBILITY: Global South (Parties to the 2005 Convention)
TYPICAL AWARD RANGE: Varies by call
CYCLE: Annual call (typically spring)
LINK: www.unesco.org/creativity/en/ifcd/applyWorld Monuments Fund (WMF)
Community-based conservation; climate risk; underrepresented heritage; post-crisis recovery.
REGION/ELIGIBILITY: Global
TYPICAL AWARD RANGE: Project-dependent
CYCLE: Project partnerships; periodic initiatives
LINK: www.wmf.org/
© Evan Krape, University of Delaware
© Evan Krape, University of Delaware
