Advice & Information - Project Funding

These are a just a selection of some of the funders that will consider giving grants to dance and education projects. Please check the criteria for individual funders and schemes carefully before making an application.

Arts Council England
Their main funding programme is Grants for the Arts. There is one application process for a range of activities with a 6 week turnaround for projects of £5,000 or less and 12 weeks for projects over £5,000. They also have information on other funders.

For arts projects in other parts of the UK, similar schemes are run by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Arts Council of Wales and the Scottish Arts Council.

Creative Partnerships
The Government’s flagship creative learning programme, designed to develop the skills of young people across England, raising their aspirations and equipping them for their futures.

Lottery distributors

There are currently seventeen UK lottery distributors. Three of the most useful are:

  • Awards for All has a straightforward application process for small projects up to £5,000
  • Big Lottery Fund supports projects in schools but projects must demonstrate community benefit
  • Heritage Lottery Fund supports a range of projects that must be carried out in partnership with a heritage partner

Central Government funding

There are various routes to government funding. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has a useful mindmap to help you make sense of it.

Cultural Olympiad

There are several funding streams for projects around the Cultural Olympiad, including the Inspire Programme, the Education programme for schools, colleges and universities and the Legacy Trust, a regional programme that is focussing on dance in the West Midlands and London.

Corporate giving

Businesses wanting to demonstrate corporate social responsibility are increasingly supporting the arts through sponsorship and donations. Arts and Business is a national organisation that aims to foster partnerships between business and the arts. It also runs Board Bank, a directory of experienced professionals with a range of skills who are available to become board members. You could also contact your local Chamber of Commerce to see if any of their members would be interested in supporting your idea.

Trusts and Foundations

There are a number of charitable trusts and foundations that will support dance and education projects. Try the Directory for Social Change or the Charity Commission for more suggestions. The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and the Foyle Foundation consider dance and/or education projects and the Rayne Foundation also runs an annual choreographic award. The Clore Duffield Foundation  runs a major arts/voluntary sector leadership programme as well as an arts funding programme. They also run the Clore Performing Arts Awards for education projects with grants up to £10,000.

Other useful organisations and publications