Evaluation that drives impact
Securing over £100,000 in heritage funding isn’t just about a compelling idea — it’s about communicating that idea with precision, empathy, and strategy. As we continue delivering our Sheffield Blitz 85th project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, it’s clearer than ever: a robust heritage communications strategy isn’t optional — it’s essential.
Our project combines public events, oral histories, and the development of a permanent exhibition, all wrapped in an ambitious, AI-driven immersive storytelling experience. But the innovation alone didn’t win the funding — the way we told the story did.
Strong public engagement
We built our bid around a strong public engagement for heritage projects framework. That included everything from media outreach to co-created content with schools and survivor families. These elements were critical in showing we could connect with underrepresented communities and ensure a lasting legacy.
Just as vital was our use of heritage audience insights. By combining previous event data with local demographic research, we were able to pinpoint and target key groups — and demonstrate that clearly in the application.
Storytelling
We also put time into storytelling for funding applications — crafting a narrative that made funders care about the past, present, and future of Sheffield’s wartime story. That narrative didn’t just sit in the bid either — it runs through every press release, social post, and exhibition panel we create.
Evaluation
Funders now expect integrated, measurable communications. That’s why we’re using a clear evaluation strategy for heritage grants, tracking KPIs across web traffic, event attendance, and stakeholder feedback. These metrics don’t just satisfy reporting — they shape how we continue developing our strategy.
If you’re applying for six-figure grants, hiring a cultural heritage comms consultant or museum PR consultant with sector knowledge and storytelling expertise can be the difference between a good idea and a funded one.
Click here to download your free comms toolkit specifically for heritage projects.