The City of London Corporation aims to keep the Square Mile as the Creative heart of a world-leading city o culture. It also wishes to fulfil its historic role as a steward of unique heritage of international importance. The City is one of the great cultural hubs of London, much visited from all around the world, with a wealth of things to see and do and a vibrant mix of artistic activity.
The City Corporation is one of the UK’s major funders of culture and heritage and directly supports institutions and activities in these fields. It also recognises and welcomes the wide range of organisations, large and small, who further enrich the Square Mile’s cultural offer and who may benefit from additional support or sponsorship to help initiatives to develop.
Where we fund
Grants issued through the ‘Inspiring London through Culture’ theme will be awarded to projects that are being delivered for the benefit of communities or beneficiaries within the City of London(external link) (the Square Mile).
Projects must either have some or all benefits delivered within the City of London or engage with the City’s resident and/or worker communities (at any location). Applicants may be based outside the City.
Please make sure that you meet the geographical eligibility criteria before applying. If you are unsure, please get in touch to confirm your eligibility.
What we fund
The scheme deliberately seeks to be open-minded and imaginative in defining the kinds of activities or projects which can be supported. However, proposals must deliver some (or all) of their benefits within the Square Mile or amongst communities from the Square Mile (at any location), as well as meet at least one of the following core criteria:
- Promote access for all to participate in the City of London’s cultural offer
- Enhance London’s creative future through championing excellence in the development of innovative practice and/or skills;
- Deliver positive social impact through culture and/or heritage in the City of London; and/or
- Support the development of the City of London’s Culture Mile(external link).
In addition, we positively welcome and will prioritise proposals that:
- Engage with people living or working in the Square Mile;
- Engage with new audiences, attracting people from a wide variety of backgrounds and locations to participate in the City’s cultural offer;
- Animate places and spaces within the Square Mile;
- Encourage access to local buildings and local heritage within the Square Mile;
- Improve health and wellbeing;
- Use technology to deliver cultural excellence;
- Highlight environmental issues and promote sustainability;
- Build organisational capacity;
- Support entrepreneurialism;
- Build innovative partnerships (especially with one or more of the cultural/heritage providers already operating within the City); and/or
- Demonstrate some level of match-funding, noting we value opportunities where City funding can help to lever in funding from other sources
This funding theme has a modest amount of funding, so large projects are beyond its scope. It is anticipated that individual grants will not exceed £10,000.
Proposals will be considered and decided by a group of expert officers from across the City, with decisions reported to the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee.
Who we fund
Your organisation must be one of the following:
- Registered charity
- Registered community interest company
- Registered charitable incorporated organisation
- Charitable company (incorporated as a not-for-profit)
- Exempt or excepted charity
- Registered charitable industrial and provident society or charitable cooperative (bencom)
- Constituted voluntary organisation
If you are an individual seeking funding, please refer to our FAQ below.
The City Corporation welcomes applications from all those interested in applying to this scheme, from small amateur and community groups to larger-scale professional companies. The panel’s assessment of applications will be proportionate to the anticipated capacity and skills of the applicant.
