Churches, charities and other organisations delivering cultural, heritage and creative projects that benefit people in the City of London are invited to apply for funding through the Inspiring London Through Culture (ILTC) programme.
With grants ranging from £500 to £10,000, the fund supports imaginative projects that use culture and heritage to strengthen communities, widen participation, develop creative skills and celebrate the unique character of the Square Mile.
Applications are now open, with a deadline of 12 noon on Monday 30 November 2026.
Supporting Culture That Benefits Communities
The ILTC programme is deliberately broad and welcomes innovative ideas from a wide range of organisations. Projects must deliver most or all of their benefits within the City of London, or engage City residents and workers, and should contribute to at least one of the fund’s key priorities:
- Increasing access to the City of London’s cultural offer
- Supporting excellence, creativity and innovation in arts and cultural practice
- Creating positive social impact through culture and heritage
- Developing cultural tourism within the City of London
The programme encourages projects that bring people together, tell local stories, celebrate heritage and make arts and culture more accessible to diverse audiences.
What Types of Projects Are Encouraged?
The fund particularly welcomes applications from projects that:
- Engage people who live or work in the Square Mile
- Reach new and diverse audiences
- Animate public spaces and places
- Encourage access to local heritage and historic buildings
- Improve health and wellbeing
- Use technology in creative and innovative ways
- Promote environmental sustainability
- Build organisational capacity and resilience
- Support entrepreneurship and creative enterprise
- Develop partnerships with cultural and heritage organisations
- Use City funding to attract additional funding from other sources
Whether you’re planning a community arts programme, a heritage project, a creative skills initiative or an innovative cultural event, the fund is designed to support ideas that enrich life in and around the City.
Who Can Apply?
Organisations do not need to be based in the City of London to apply. However, projects must clearly demonstrate how they will benefit communities within the Square Mile or engage City residents and workers.
Before applying, organisations are encouraged to ensure that they meet the geographical eligibility criteria and seek guidance if they are unsure.
Apply Now
Grants between £500 and £10,000 are available.
This is an excellent opportunity for churches, charities, community groups, arts organisations and cultural partners to develop projects that inspire people, strengthen communities and showcase London’s rich cultural heritage.
Applications close at 12 noon on Monday 30 November 2026.
For full eligibility details and to submit an application, visit the City of London’s Inspiring London Through Culture funding programme page.