Funding

Repairing a traditional windmill or watermill can be a costly business, requiring the involvement of specialist craftspeople or machinery. Advice and help with funding a repair project may be available through the following channels.

SPAB Mills Section Mill Repair Fund

The Mills Section provides small grants to help fund emergency and other repairs at windmills and watermills through its Mill Repair Fund. See our Mill Repair Fund page.

Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)

The HLF distributes the heritage share of National Lottery funding, supporting a wide variety of projects across the UK. It uses money raised by National Lottery players to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about. The HLF has a number of different funds that makes awards ranging from £3,000 to £5m. Visit the website for more information on HLF grant programmes.

Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF)

The AHF is a charity working to promote the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings for the benefit of communities across the UK, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. It is the leading heritage social investor and the only specialist heritage lender operating in the UK, and can help with advice, development grants or loans where a building is listed, scheduled, or within a conservation area or of acknowledged historic merit.

Local Councils

Some councils are able to provide grants to heritage projects, and some provide a ‘grant grabber’ facility for locating resources. Contact your local council for information.

Midland Mills Group

The Midland Wind & Water Mills Group operates a fund to assist specific restoration or preservation projects at mills in the Midland area. See midlandmills.org for details.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project by raising money from a large number of people who each contribute a relatively small amount, typically via the Internet. Crowdfunding can be a relatively quick and simple way of attracting public donations, and works best when backed up by a Twitter, facebook or other publicity campaign. Sites that host crowding projects typically take a percentage or fixed amount from donations pledged. UK Sites include Crowdfunder and Just Giving.