The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The Society's grants are restricted to its named funds and to other suitable grants, and its stated geographic focus is Dorset, so check that your project is there before applying.
- Most Mill Repair Fund grants fall between £500 and £1,200, so a modest repair request is the realistic fit, though that band is typical rather than a ceiling.
- Requests should clearly link to the SPAB Approach and argue for conservative repair rather than restoration, because the Society awards only where it is certain a grant will further its objectives and says it cannot assist every project.
- Mill Repair Fund applications are considered in February, June and October, the Society also accepts applications on a rolling basis, and repair grants are paid retrospectively, so plan how you will cover costs first.
- Do not apply to the Newcombe Fund for modernisation, or for almshouses that are not in use, since the Newcombe Fund excludes both.
Overview
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1113753).
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings exists for the preservation and protection of ancient buildings for the benefit of the public. It was founded in response to the work of Victorian architects whose enthusiasm for harmful restoration caused irreparable damage. Its grants are restricted to named funds for almshouse repair, church repair, mill repair, windmill repairs, emergency works to historic buildings and training bursaries, along with other suitable grants. It recorded £6,620 in annual giving on the Charity Commission register.
What they fund
Priority Areas
The SPAB gives grants for vital repair work and sympathetic conservation of old buildings, supporting projects linked to its approach and conservative repair rather than restoration. Its named funds support emergency work to historic buildings, repairs to historic almshouses, churches and traditional watermills and windmills. The Society also supports scholarship and fellowship training bursaries and bursaries for educational courses and working parties, alongside grants to other suitable individuals or organisations where these further its charitable objectives and strategic priorities. Trustees or delegated authorities approve grants. Repair grants are paid retrospectively after the Society is satisfied that funds have been used appropriately for the intended purpose; grants to individuals and non-charities carry written conditions to ensure charitable use. The Society says its ability to give grants depends on income and it cannot assist every project.
Themes
- Old-building conservation
- Emergency historic repairs
- Almshouse repair
- Church repair
- Watermill repair
- Windmill repair
- Training bursaries
Geographic Focus
Dorset.
What they don't fund
- The Newcombe Fund only: modernisation; almshouses that are not in use
How to apply
For the Mill Repair Fund, applicants complete an application for consideration by the Grant Panel, which considers applications three times a year, in February, June and October.
Application windows:
- Mill Repair Fund
- Applications are considered in February.
- Applications are considered in June.
- Applications are considered in October.
What to send:
- Mill Repair Fund: Complete the Mill Repair Fund Application Form and the Mill Repair Fund Operating Framework.
Application success factors
What the charity says:
- Requests should clearly link to the SPAB Approach and champion conservative repair over restoration.
- The Society awards grants only when it is certain they will further its charitable objectives and meet strategic priorities.
Where they fund
Where it says it funds
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 December 2021 | £1,602,967 | £1,874,006 | £83,522 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2021 |
| year to 31 December 2022 | £2,023,768 | £1,703,225 | — | Accounts for year to 31 December 2022 |
| year to 31 December 2023 | £2,344,731 | £1,790,104 | £3,900 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2023 |
| year to 31 December 2024 | £2,606,185 | £1,933,129 | £7,310 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2024 |
| year to 31 December 2025 | £1,076,833 | £2,178,767 | £6,620 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2025 |
Income vs grants paid
IncomeGrants paid
Total value each financial year
Grants paid stayed within income across the 4 years shown.
- Grants paid, year to 31 December 2021; year to 31 December 2023; year to 31 December 2024; year to 31 December 2025: grants to institutions, as reported on the charity register (Part B).
— No grants figure for that year.
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
- spab.org.uk
- spab.org.uk/about-us/grants · read on 30 October 2026
- spab.org.uk/mills/mill-repair-fund · read on 30 October 2026
- spab.org.uk/about-us · read on 30 October 2026
- spab.org.uk/content/make-enquiry · read on 30 October 2026
- Annual report (year to 31 December 2025)
This profile draws on the funder’s own website as well as its filed accounts.
Sources last checked on 30 October 2026.
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