The Esmée Fairbairn Communities and Collections Fund, managed by the Museums Association, supports museums and community organisations to strengthen communities through the use of museum collections. The fund focuses on inclusion, equitable partnerships and community-led approaches, helping museums become more connected to the people and places they serve.
There are two funding routes: partnership project grants, for museums and community organisations working together on inclusive collections projects, and core grants, which help museums develop their long-term approach to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), social justice and climate justice. Grants of £50,000 to £110,000 are available over up to three years. Around 12 grants are expected to be awarded each year across two funding rounds.
Requirements:
- Location: Organisations must operate in the UK, and funded work must directly benefit people in the UK.
- Museum eligibility: Museum applicants must be institutional members of the Museums Association.
- Partnership projects: Applications must involve at least one Museums Association institutional member museum and one constituted community organisation. The partners must have an existing relationship and develop the application together.
- Core grants: These are for individual museums with established strategic aims around DEI, looking to develop equitable partnerships and embed community-led practice.
- Accreditation: Museum applicants, or at least one museum partner, are expected to be Accredited or formally working towards accreditation. Exceptions may be considered for certain organisations caring for and interpreting historically, artistically or scientifically significant collections.
- Governance: Organisations must be constituted and have safeguards against disproportionate personal benefit.
- Safeguarding: Applicants must have an up-to-date safeguarding policy.
- Community involvement: Projects should demonstrate meaningful participation, equitable decision-making and a clear link between the people involved, the collections used and the issues being explored.
- Partnership arrangements: One organisation must act as the financial host, responsible for receiving the grant and coordinating financial reporting. This can be either the museum or the community organisation.
- Previous funding: Previous recipients may apply for work that builds on earlier experience, but repeat core funding is intended to be uncommon.
Funding Priorities:
The fund prioritises work that uses collections to address local community needs and wider social or climate justice issues. This may include social cohesion, anti-racism, decolonisation and climate change, alongside projects that improve inclusion and participation in museums. It is particularly interested in equitable relationships where communities help shape the work, influence decisions and share in its benefits. Core applications should demonstrate how funding will contribute to organisational or systemic change, while partnership projects should show how museums and community organisations can work together towards shared aims.
What They Will Fund:
Funding can support activities and costs that contribute to an eligible core or partnership programme, including:
- Community-led work using existing museum collections.
- Inclusive interpretation and engagement with collections.
- Projects developed jointly by museums and community organisations.
- Work exploring local histories, identities and experiences through collections.
- Activities that address social cohesion, anti-racism, decolonisation or climate justice.
- Staff development, skills and capacity-building.
- Leadership support, advocacy and reflective practice.
- Work to develop more equitable partnerships and embed community-led decision-making.
- Appropriate payments for lived experience and community participation.
- Staff and freelance support, where relevant to the proposed work.
- Evaluation, learning and activity that helps sustain benefits beyond the funding period.
The fund allows its grant to cover any proportion of the overall budget, including the full cost of a project. Match funding is not required.
What They Won’t Fund:
The fund will not support:
- Capital costs, including building work, renovations and equipment.
- Grants to individuals, including student grants and bursaries.
- Work that does not directly benefit people in the UK.
- Unconstituted organisations without appropriate safeguards against personal benefit.
- Work that is primarily the responsibility of statutory authorities using public funds.
- The promotion of religion.
- Retrospective costs for work that has already taken place.
- General appeals or circulars.
Applications must focus on existing collections and meet the requirements of either the core or partnership grant route.
How To Apply:
You can apply using the button below through their online application form.
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