Funding Links


Links to other local and national sources of funding, grants and awards for individuals and community groups (mostly related to the arts). Also links to websites offering arts information.


Entries marked with an asterix * are also relevant to other art platforms, than the category that they are listed in.



Local


The Churchill Memorial Concerts Trust

The Churchill Memorial Concerts Trust was established in 1993 to expand the range of distribution of the proceeds of the Churchill Memorial Concerts. These concerts were conceived as a means of providing funds for the Music Therapy Charity and continued to do so exclusively until 1993. It was then decided to bring other charities into the net whilst continuing to support Music Therapy Charity, the policy of the Trustees being that the charitable purposes should be primarily (though not exclusively) for Oxfordshire and be of the smaller variety, for which local funding is a crucial element. Applications must be received by 26th February each year to be considered for funding for the following year.


Oxford Lieder Young Artists Platform

Oxford Lieder exists to promote and celebrate song with an emphasis on finding and nurturing outstanding new talent. It runs the annual Oxford Leider Festival, has an extensive education programme in local schools and numerous masterclasses that take place throughout the year. In addition, the Oxford Lieder grants annual Young Artist Awards to two or three outstanding duos (vocal/piano), all enrolled on post-graduate courses at the leading UK conservatoires and already at the outset of major careers. As part of the Award these Young Artists are each given recitals at the Oxford Lieder Festival, as well as a number of paid song recital engagements around the country.


Oxford City Council


Community grants for voluntary and community groups

Oxford City Council have a limited amount of funds available to help community and voluntary groups, which provide a project or service that benefit residents and communities across Oxford.


Oxfordshire County Council


Funding for community groups page

A page on the Oxfordshire County Council website with links to organisations who provide advice and grants for voluntary and community groups who wish to apply for funding. The Chill Out Fund and Positive Activities Fund which funded projects to help young people in various areas now seem to have vanished.


West Oxfordshire District Council


Community Activities Grant

This grant supports local community groups and charities wishing to develop heritage or arts opportunities in West Oxfordshire. Grants awarded are between £100 and £500.


National


Art, Film & Multi-media


The Leverhulme Trust - Arts Scholarships*

The aim of these awards is to provide training opportunities across the whole range of artistic disciplines in the fine and performing arts, including (but not exclusively) music, drama, dance, film and fine art. The scheme will support arts training at any level, from school-age children, to undergraduates and postgraduates. Arts Scholarships may be in the form of (a) Bursaries to enable individuals to develop their talent and/or (b) Innovative teaching awards to provide new and original training opportunities for the students concerned. Grants will be made to eligible organisations who are specialist arts training institutions or registered charities which can demonstrate outstanding quality within their particular field. Not for individual applications.


In addition to the Arts Scholarships, The Leverhulme Trust offers a HUGE range of grants and scholarships for research and education across academic disciplines, supporting talented individuals in the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences to realise their personal vision in research and professional training. As well as substantial grants for research, they offer fellowships for researchers at every stage of their career, grants for international collaboration and travel and are one of the largest all-subject providers of research funding in the UK, distributing approximately £80m a year. Read more on their Funding Page.


Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust* (the sister charity of the Leverhulme Trust) provides grants for the benefit of chemists, grocers and commercial travellers (sales reps), and for their families. They will therefore award up to £3,000 bursaries for UK undergraduate students in financial need and whose parent or spouse is a commercial traveller, grocer or chemist; and up to £5,000 to postgraduate students, who are registered on a full-time postgraduate degree course at a recognised UK university and who have a parent or spouse, or are employed themselves, as a commercial traveller, pharmacist or grocer.


Doc Society

The Doc Society (formerly Britdoc Foundation) is an independent, non-profit organisation that supports documentary filmmakers, believing that documentaries are of utmost importance, as they have a unique ability to engage and connect people, transform communities and improve societies. Due to the support of their major partners: the BBC, the Bertha Foundation and the Ford Foundation; their founding partener: Channel 4 and from the financial support of many other organisations, Doc Society offers 5 different Funds/Awards which are available to support emerging or established filmmakers either in the Uk, Europe or Worldwide.


Into Film

Into Film is a new charity born from the legacy of two leading film education charities, Filmclub and First Light. Both organisations had considerable experience in delivering film-based programmes of significant scale and reach to children and young people across the UK.


Into Film facilitates film clubs for watching, making and reviewing film, and provides unprecedented film industry interaction. In addition, their programme of cinema-based screening and events as well as the annual UK-wide film festival give the opportunity to experience film in the best way possible. Into Film provides teachers and youth leaders with resources, many curriculum linked, to enable memorable learning through and about film as well as offering teacher training. Their partnership network of film, education, arts and cultural organisations enables them to provide a programme of activity that increases the number, quality and geographical spread of film education across the UK. They aim to provide all young people everywhere, regardless of background and ability, the chance to engage with a wide opportunity of film experiences to 'See, Think, Make...and Imagine.'

Into Film embarks on its programme with one overriding mission: to put film at the heart of children and young people's learning and cultural experience in the UK. 


Film London

Film London directly runs several production schemes supporting local grassroots film-making talent and artists working with the moving image. Award-winning films have been produced through these varied programmes that were all introduced to encourage creativity and develop skills within London-based film-making communities.


Screen South

Screen South is a Creative Development agency delivering and supporting innovative projects across screen-based media and the wider cultural and creative industries. They are a resource and broker that helps people get their ideas off the ground and supports delivery locally, nationally and internationally. Their overarching aim is to contribute to stimulating a competitive, successful and vibrant, creative industry and culture, and to promote its growth, enjoyment and understanding locally and internationally. Screen South is passionate about developing and contributing to a dynamic environment in which film and screen-based media culture can flourish.


British Film Institute

The BFI is the UK’s lead organisation for film, television and the moving image. It is a cultural charity that: - curates and presents the greatest international public programme of world cinema for audiences – in cinemas, at festivals and online. - cares for the BFI National Archive, the most significant film and television archive in the world. - actively seeks out and supports the next generation of filmmakers. - works with government and industry to make the UK the most creatively exciting and prosperous place to make film internationally. The BFI is the distributor of National Lottery funds for film. Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter.


Music


Awards for Young Musicians

The AYM run an annual Awards programme for talented young musicians (aged 5 – 18) who are in financial need. Means-tested awards of £200 – £2,000 are given to support all the major costs of a young musician's training (e.g. lessons, Orchestra fees, buying/hiring an instrument, specialist courses and travel. The AYM also offers ’Furthering Talent’, ’Mentoring’ and ’Music Teacher support’ programmes.


Benslow Instrument Loan Scheme

The Benslow Instrument Loan Scheme (based in Hertfordshire) lends a wide range of orchestral instruments to young string or woodwind players aged 7 – 25 years, who have learned for at least 2 years, are passionate about music and unable to afford good quality instruments. A deposit is required and a monthly fee incurred for instruments loans, although Bursaries are available for those in financial need.


Cherubim Trust

The Cherubim Music Trust (based in Wiltshire) loans instruments for five years to talented young music students aged 15-23 who have reached a stage where they require one of professional calibre in order to develop their potential.


EMI Music Sound Foundation

The Emi Music Sound Foundation provides two types of funding: Instruments and Equipment Awards, which provide grants up to a total of £1,500 towards the purchase of musical instruments and/or equipment for individuals in full time education or Schools who require the equipment to fund music education (also for courses and training opportunities for school music teachers); and Bursary Awards which allow students at eight UK music colleges and conservatoires to apply for assistance with fees and/or living expenses (handled directly by the college/organisation).


Hattori Foundation

Awards to encourage and assist exceptionally talented young instrumental soloists or chamber ensembles who are British Nationals or resident in the UK and whose talent and achievements give promise of an international career. The Foundation offers a Junior Award for instrumental soloists (age 15 – 20) and a Senior Award for instrumental soloists and chamber ensembles (age 21 – 27). In addition, a Debut Prize is awarded to one of the award winners each year to provide a concerto debut opportunity with a top London orchestra.


Help Musicians UK

Help Musicians UK (formerly the Musicians Benevolent Fund helps musicians who play, sing or create all styles of music with financial assistance based on an assessment of needs. The main criterion is working in, or having worked in, the music profession and help is also extended to those who work in related occupations such as record producers, piano tuners and sound engineers and occasionally the dependants of musicians. Funds and partnerships are offered to young, professional and retired musicians and also to organisations who support musicians.


Music for All

Music for All is the charity for the UK musical instrument industry with a mission of “Making More Musicians!” This is achieved through promoting the substantial and wide-ranging benefits of music making, bringing "Learn to Play" experiences to people of all ages and backgrounds, being commited to addressing the needs of community and diversity (especially those who do not have access to music making) and developing partnerships with like-minded organisations. Music for All offers some funding to help with the purchase of musical instruments and the cost of lessons. This may be for schools, a project or individuals.


PRS Foundation for New Music

The PRS Foundation for New Music (PRSF) is the UK's leading funder of new music across all genres. Aiming to stimulate and support the creation and performance of new music throughout the UK and abroad, the PRSF supports music creators, performers and promoters who are involved in creatively adventurous or pioneering musical activity. The PRSF offers a wide range of funding schemes for new musical activity for both individuals and groups.


Take It Away

Take it Away (supported by Arts Council England) offers interest-free loans (up to £5,000) to purchase musical instruments from participating shops for young people up to the age 25. Other people can apply on behalf of children under 18 years of age or for others as a gift (applicants must be a UK citizen, working 16 hours a week or more (unless receive DLA) and have a bank account that can pay Direct Debits).


The Countess of Munster Musical Trust

The Countess of Munster Musical Trust offers postgraduate study awards for composers, conductors, instrumentalists and singers of exceptional ability and offers interest-free loans to purchase instruments for previous awardees. The Trust also faciliatates the biennial Stephen Oliver Award, which is open to young composers to assist with cost of bringing to performance a work, which has been or is in the process of being written for music theatre.


The Countess of Munster Website Musical - Funding Guide

Taken from the website, a list of organisations providing grants, awards and funding for a vast range of musical activities (e.g. strings, wind, composition, competitions, instrument purchase schemes etc.).


The English Schools Orchestra and Choir

The English Schools Orchestra and Choir, founded in 1994, exists to provide the opportunity for talented young orchestral musicians and singers, still in full time education, to meet and perform with other similarly talented young people from all over the country at the annual Orchestra Course, which takes place over the October half-term. This comprises a one-week residential course during which a programme of music is rehearsed for a concert in a national venue on the final afternoon. Admission is by written application and teacher recommendation. You need to be aged 13-18, Grade 8 standard or above.


The Musicians’ Company

The Musicians’ Company encourages and promotes musical performance and education to the highest professional standards and particularly supports young musicians. Through its administration of charitable funds, the Musicians’ Company focuses on helping young musicians at the start of their careers, through the provision of prizes and scholarships, performance opportunities and medals that recognise excellence and achievement.


Youth Music Programme

Youth Music is the leading UK charity using music to transform the lives of children and young people, particularly those with least opportunity, and supports hundreds of projects across the country encouraging young people to recognise their potential. The Youth Music Programme provides funding for organisations, enabling them to transform the musical experiences of young people; encouraging their talent, building their confidence, and ensuring an effective and sustainable youth music sector which serves the evolving needs of young people.


Performing Arts


Drama and Dance Awards

You could get a government funded Dance and Drama Award (DaDA) to help with fees and living costs at one of 19 private dance and drama schools. You must be aged over 16 for dance courses and over 18 for acting and stage management courses, be a 'settled' EU citizen (at least last 3 years) and show talent and a likelihood to succeed in the industry. You must also be studying one of the Trinity College London Diplomas at Level 5 or 6 in Professional Dance, Professional Acting or Professional Musical Theatre.


Music and Dance Scheme*

The government funded Music and Dance scheme is aimed at young musicians aged 8 to 19 (on first application) and for young dancers aged 11 to 19 (on first application) with exceptional potential and dedication and who do not have the financial means to access the training they need. The grants are means-tested and an audition will be involved.


The Dolly Knowles Charitable Trust*

Charitable purposes especially the support of dancing, drama or music and also the welfare of animals. Address: Haysmacintyre, 26 Red Lion Square WC1R 4AG Tel: 0207 969 5500 Email.


Lottery Funding and Large Award Giving Organisations


Arts Council Funding

The Arts Council is the national development agency for the arts, distributing public money from Government and the National Lottery. Page includes links to its Grants for the Arts programme for individuals, arts organisations and other people who use the arts in their work, and links to other funding organisations.


Awards for All

The organisation responsible for distributing 40% of the money raised for good causes from the National Lottery. Every year, millions of pounds are awarded to local communities and charitable projects around the UK.


Esmée Fairburn Foundation

The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation aims to improve the quality of life throughout the UK. We do this by funding the charitable activities of organisations that have the ideas and ability to achieve change for the better. We take pride in supporting work that might otherwise be considered difficult to fund.


The Clore Poetry and Literature Awards and Main Grants Programme

The Clore Poetry and Literature Awards fund poetry and literature initiatives for children and young people, under the age of 19, across the UK. The Clore Duffield Foundation has created these Awards with the aim of providing children and young people with opportunities to experience poetry and literature in exciting and compelling ways, in and out of school. (Applications from organisations only).


The Clore Duffield Foundation also runs its Main Grants Programme, which offers grants ranging from below £10,000 to in excess of £1 million (supporting small-scale community endeavours to large-scale projects, with far-reaching effects) to Registered Charities who have mainly have an interest in the cultural sector, and in particular to cultural learning and to museum, gallery, heritage and performing arts learning spaces.


Grant Finding Websites


Funding Central

Funding Central is a free website for charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises - providing access to thousands of funding and finance opportunities, plus a wealth of tools and resources supporting organisations to develop sustainable income strategies appropriate to their needs. Funding Central is managed by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations in partnership with Idox Information Solutions Ltd and is funded by the Office for Civil Society. It covers national funding and finance opportunities for voluntary and community organisations operating in England from European, national, regional and local government and charitable sources.


Grantsnet

A key funding resource for businesses, charities, social enterprises, community groups and voluntary organisations of all shapes and sizes.


Idox’s j4b Portal

A website offering access to thousands of funding opportunities for businesses, community groups and students across the UK. Find grants, loans, tax relief, venture capital and awards to support your organisation, or as an individual at the touch of a button. There are 3 main funding databases for: UK Businesses; UK Voluntary & Community Organisations and Undergraduate/Postgraduate students, seeking for support to cover the cost of their studies.


Turn2Us - Grants Search

The Turn2Us grants search contains a database of over 3,000 charitable funds offering welfare and educational grants, financial assistance and other forms of support, depending on your particular background and circumstances.




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2003 - 2023