Grant News
Museums Galleries Scotland has opened the Unlocking Potential Fund, offering grants of £10,000 to £100,000 to help museums overcome barriers to stronger financial sustainability. The fund forms part of the £4 million Museum Futures programme.
Funding can support strategic improvements such as digital transformation, new software, governance development, market and audience research, fundraising strategies, staff and volunteer training, consultancy, and additional staff time. Projects can run for up to two years.
Key highlights:
- Open to organisations running Accredited, Working Towards Accreditation and eligible non-Accredited museums in Scotland.
- Formally constituted museum groups can also apply.
- Applicants must complete the Organisational Health Checker before applying.
- Projects must clearly improve the museum’s financial sustainability.
Examples of projects that could fit the Unlocking Potential Fund include (the list is not exhaustive):
- carrying out audience or market research to identify new visitors, customers or earned-income opportunities;
- developing a fundraising strategy, including support to diversify income from trusts, donors, memberships or corporate partners;
- reviewing governance arrangements and strengthening trustee or board skills;
- training staff and volunteers in areas such as fundraising, digital skills, marketing or financial management;
- developing a digital strategy or improving online services to reach wider audiences and generate income;
Applicants must first submit an expression of interest and complete Fair Work First requirements. The fund closes at 5pm on 20 January 2027, or earlier if all funding is allocated.
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