The AHF’s Heritage Impact Fund Reaches £10 Million Milestone in Pioneering Social Investment for Historic Buildings

The Heritage Impact Fund (HIF), delivered by the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF), has reached a major milestone, with £10 million in loan offers now approved to support the reuse and regeneration of historic buildings across the UK. This landmark achievement marks a significant moment in the evolution of heritage finance and highlights the growing role of social investment in delivering meaningful outcomes through heritage-led projects.

Launched in 2019, the HIF was the first fund of its kind to offer flexible, repayable finance specifically tailored to charities and social enterprises working with historic buildings. It was established with the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland, Cadw, and the Department for Communities Northern Ireland, with investment facility provided by Rathbone Greenbank.

The fund supports a wide range of activity - from acquiring and redeveloping buildings to launching new enterprising uses - and is designed to unlock the potential of heritage assets as drivers of inclusive growth, job creation, and community resilience.

The Heritage Impact Fund remains open to new applications. Visit the AHF’s website for further information and how to apply.

Image: Alliance at the Former Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank, Bacup. Credit: Valley Heritage.

A Proven Model for Social Impact

To date, the HIF has made 40 loan offers to projects across the UK, helping organisations bring historic buildings back into use that benefits local people and places. Examples include:

• Valley Heritage, Lancashire - Redevelopment of a disused former bank into a multi-use community space and affordable housing.
• Jedburgh Community Trust, Scottish Borders - Conservation and refurbishment of The Port House, a landmark building in the Scottish Borders, for reuse by local community groups and the voluntary support agency.
• Real Ideas CIC, Cornwall - Transformation of Liskeard Library into a vibrant cultural and enterprise hub.

Image: The Port House, Jedburgh. Credit: Jason Baxter Media.

The fund’s impact since launch has enabled:

• 35 organisations to acquire long-term rights in historic buildings.
• 26 buildings to be repaired and brought back into use.
• 46 new full-time equivalent jobs to be created.
• Over 700 training opportunities and 1,200 volunteering opportunities delivered.

About the Architectural Heritage Fund

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is the UK’s leading social investor in heritage. For nearly 50 years, the AHF has supported charities and social enterprises to breathe new life into historic buildings, helping them become thriving community assets. Through a combination of grants, loans, advice, and capacity building, the AHF enables organisations to deliver projects that preserve heritage, create jobs, support local economies, and strengthen communities. The AHF is a registered charity.