The Scottish museum, which houses a stunning and unique collection of civil and military aircraft including a decommissioned Concorde G-BOAA, is already a popular tourist attraction but will soon be home to two brand new galleries: Fantastic Flight and Fortunes of War.
An independent funding body, Viridor Credits Scotland distributes the landfill tax credits that Viridor Waste Management makes available to support environmental, conservation and community projects through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF).
Fantastic Flight will see a former WWII RAF workshop restored and opened as an exciting, interactive gallery about the principles of flight.
Aimed at families and children, the educational gallery will explain how things fly, how aircraft is designed and how to be a pilot.
It will use fantastic objects and stories to bring the exhibition to life.
Fortunes of War will be an exhibition about the history of the East Fortune airfield, now home to the National Museum of Flight.
Opening in a fully restored former WWII RAF Nissen hut, it will present a dynamic display on the history of the site, from its construction in 1915 to help protect Britain from attack by German airships to its use as a hospital, vividly portraying the life of the personnel who served there.
Judith Craig, development manager for the museum, is thrilled with Viridor Credit's contribution which will go towards making the museum a world-class venue and memorable day out for all.
"This generous grant will help us deliver a unique visitor attraction in East Lothian, and with entrance and exit ramps for disabled people and those with buggies and prams, help us appeal to an even wider group of people.
"It will also be a fun place for young people to visit and a great place for them to learn," said Judith.
Iain Roxburgh of Viridor Credits Scotland said: "The museum has major ambitions for the future and we're delighted to have contributed towards their plans. With even better exhibitions the museum will really show people how aviation has changed the world and engage with visitors young and old alike."
Viridor Credits Scotland is looking for further projects to fund located within 10 miles of landfill sites in East Lothian, Edinburgh and Berwickshire.
Community groups should either visit www.forward-scotland.co.uk, telephone 0560 0010 560 or email vcs@forward-scotland.co.uk