Fund the Future

This programme gives museums an audit of their current strategy and plan with a consultant, resulting in a bespoke plan to improve the museum’s income generation. The consultancy also supports implementation of the recommendations.

The programme this year has four 'micro-consultancies' worth up to £2,000 to allocate to London’s non-national, non-NPO museums in 2025-2026.

Applications are now open for 2025–2026

Closing date for applications is Mon 19 May 2025 at 5pm. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted.

Museums will have the chance to work with David Burgess of Apollo Fundraising, to receive an audit of their current strategy and plan that will result in a bespoke, realistic plan to improve the museum’s income generation performance.

The micro-consultancies will provide each museum with increased confidence and skills to successfully embed and approach identified methodologies into its work, resulting in increased income generation for the participants.

Participating museums will be supported to implement the recommendations from each micro-consultancy.

Projects will need to be completed by Mon 9 Mar 2026. More information on eligibility and the type of projects that will be supported can be found in the guidance for applicants below.

If you would like to apply, please complete and return an application form, along with any supporting documents to [email protected], no later than 5pm on Mon 19 May 2025.

If you are unsure whether your project would be eligible, have questions about the criteria or would like to discuss your project in more detail, please get in touch with Yvette Shepherd, or join us at one of our online coffee morning sessions on Thu 24 Apr or Thu 1 May.

We will announce our current grant museums for 2025–2026 in June once the assessment panel has met and the applicants have been notified of the outcome of their application.

The grants funded the following museums:

• Crossness Engine Trust
• Dorich House Museum
• Estorick Collection
• Foundling Museum

Projects were completed by March 2025 and detailed case studies will be available from June 2025 onwards.

The grants funded the following museums:

• Brunel Museum
• Florence Nightingale Museum
• London Museum of Water and Steam
• Museum of Richmond

The grants funded the following museums:

• Bruce Castle Museum
• Hackney Museum
• Museum of Croydon
• Orleans House Gallery