Every month we round up the grants that arts and cultural organisations should have on their radar. With the funder covered, what they're actually looking for, and one honest tip for your application.
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Beckenham Theatre Trust
Launched in November 2023, Beckenham Theatre Trust is a newer funder focused on bringing community arts to South London and Kent. It was set up specifically to support smaller organisations, charities, groups and clubs, rather than major arts organisations. The Trust is interested in accessible community activity across theatre, music, dance and the arts.
Grants of up to £5,000 for small charities and non-charitable groups in South London and Kent delivering arts, theatre, music, dance and design projects. They are particularly interested in work with older people, young people, people with disabilities or mental health conditions, and projects supporting financially vulnerable communities or people who are socially isolated. They welcome one-off projects and longer-term activity.
The health and therapy exclusion is one to take seriously. Their primary purpose is community arts rather than therapeutic provision, even where arts activity supports wellbeing. Frame your work around the artistic and social experience, not the health outcome. If you're based in or working across South London or Kent, this is a very accessible application for the size of award on offer.
Wingate Foundation
The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation has been funding the arts, music and learning since 1966. However, some of its grantmaking priorities and application criteria have recently changed. It funds organisations across the UK and internationally, with previous recipients including established theatre and cultural organisations. Check the current guidelines carefully before applying.
Grants of approximately £2,000–£20,000 for registered UK charities. Principal interests include music, performing arts and Jewish life and learning. They look for applicants with UK charitable status, identifiable communities and a clear case for support.
The updated criteria matter. Read the current guidance carefully rather than relying on older examples of awards. Make sure your organisation and project clearly fit the current category before spending time on an application.
Garrick Charitable Trust
Set up in 2001 using proceeds from the sale of the Garrick Club's interest in the AA Milne estate trust, the Garrick Charitable Trust supports charitable activity connected with theatre, writing and the arts. The Trust has a particular interest in helping people develop professional careers within the performing arts.
Grants of approximately £2,500–£5,000 for UK registered charities working in theatre, music, literature or dance. They have a strong interest in early-career practitioners — actors, directors, writers, musicians, composers and choreographers — and particularly in projects involving mentoring, training, bursaries or career development.
Download the application form and follow the Trust's current application instructions.
The Trust needs to understand outcomes, a complete project budget, and especially the role and provision for people. They may say explicitly that they want to feel their modest contribution can make a real difference. Avoid centring the application around a larger funded project where they are one of many funders. Show where their grant is genuinely essential and make the career development case for your artists clearly and specifically.
Fidelio Charitable Trust
Fidelio is a small, focused trust supporting exceptional early-career individuals and groups in music and theatre. It exists to help people develop their professional practice through training and performance opportunities. Applications cannot normally come directly from an individual: they should come through an institution, college, arts festival or similar organisation that can support the application.
Grants of up to £5,000 for individuals under 21 or groups of exceptional ability in the performing arts, primarily music, including opera, lieder, composition and dance, as well as theatre. Funding can support masterclasses, coaching, competitions, performances, commissions and similar development activity.
If you're an arts organisation or festival, think about which early-career artists you work with who are ready for a genuinely significant development opportunity. This could be a competition, performance opportunity, specialist training or collaboration that would materially advance someone's practice. The application is essentially a professional recommendation, so be specific about why this person, why this opportunity and what difference it will make.
D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
Established in 1972 by Dame Bridget D'Oyly Carte, granddaughter of the impresario who founded the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company and commissioned Gilbert and Sullivan, the Trust supports charities working across the arts, health and the environment. Within the arts, its priorities include theatre, music, performance and development opportunities.
Grants of approximately £500–£5,000 for UK registered charities. Arts funding can include access to the arts for people facing disadvantage, support for young people, training and performance development, theatre and music projects. The Trust also supports health and environmental work through separate priorities.
Use the eligibility portal on their website before you start; it will confirm whether your organisation and project qualify before you invest time in the form. They receive a high volume of applications and make clear that late or incomplete submissions are harder to assess. If your project falls within three months of the meeting date, you may need to show that your funding is already secure and clearly demonstrate why their contribution matters.