Grants

Our grants are given to fund vital repair work and sympathetic conservation of old buildings. The projects we fund always have a clear link to the SPAB Approach and they champion conservative repair over restoration.

The Baber Fund for emergency repairs to historic buildings was a personal initiative by the late Jocelyn Baber and has been added to by donations from the SPAB Kent and Surrey Regional Group and others. Over the years the SPAB has often found that the offer of a Baber Fund grant starts the ball rolling on a rescue scheme that may have been stalled. The Hardy Fund, named after active SPAB member, caseworker and writer, Thomas Hardy, is for the repair of historic buildings in Dorset. Many of Hardy's novels show a profound understanding of traditional buildings and the threats they faced. After his death the Society sold a Hardy manuscript and the proceeds form the basis for the fund. The Newcombe Fund, established by the Misses Newcombe, gives grants for repairs to historic almshouses. The main condition is that the grant is for specific repairs to the historic fabric and not for modernisation, and the almshouses must be in use.

Our ability to give grants depends on the income we receive. We rely on the generous help of our members and donors but sadly we are not able to assist every project that comes to us. Please do consider joining as a member of the SPAB making a donation or leaving a gift in your will.

Support us

Hardy Fund
Thomas Hardy trained as an architect, and was an active member of the SPAB for much of his life, undertaking casework for us. Any historic building in Dorset is eligible, though preferences will be given to those with a clear association with Hardy. Grants will only be given for works of repair that are firmly based on the Society’s principles. Image: National Trust Images/Chris Lacey
Newcombe Fund
A fund for conservative repairs to historic almshouses that remain in use. Under the terms of the bequest preference is given to those used by women, but grants have been given to those that are mixed or used by men only. The almshouses do not have to be listed but are more likely to be considered if they are.