Fundraising Support
FUNDING & SUSTAINABILITY
Working together to transform young lives through music across Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire by building a sustainable funding model for high-quality music education.
Overview
The GSW Music Hub is an innovative partnership bringing together music education across three counties, serving over 800 schools and approximately 250,000 children and young people. Our vision is to ensure every child and young person across our region has access to high-quality, inclusive music education opportunities that meet local needs and allow them to fulfil their musical potential.
ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND – SUPPORTING GRASSROOTS MUSIC
Deadline: 23rd January 2026 Amount: £1000-£40000 Focus: This investment programme currently supports venues, festivals and promoters, recording studios and rehearsal spaces as well as sector bodies operating in grassroots music. It also supports grassroots music sector bodies in their work to develop and support the sector. Eligible projects support the transition of artists, bands and industry professionals to sustainable careers in music, as well as the development of new audiences and the grassroots music sector as a whole.
FIDELIO CHARITABLE TRUST
Deadline: 16th January 2026 Amount: Up to £5000 Focus: Fidelio welcomes applications for grants in support of the Arts particularly for Music, including Opera, Lieder, Composition and Dance. Fidelio aims to provide support for individuals (over the age of 21) or groups of exceptional ability.
THE D’OYLY CARTE CHARITABLE TRUST
Deadline: 21st January 2026 Amount: £500-£6000 Focus: D’Oyly Carte supports projects which prioritise: Access and participation in the arts for those who have least access to them with emphasis on choirs and singing to build community and bring people together • Support for charities seeking to engage with, and inspire, young people on the fringes of society through music and drama projects to improve their employability and diminish the risk of social exclusion • Performance development opportunities in the performing arts for those in the early stages of their careers.
THE BRIT TRUST
Deadline: 30th April 2026 Amount: Varies Focus: The BRIT Trust welcomes applications for grant funding consistent with its mission of "improving lives through the power of music and the creative arts”.
Funds Relevant For Schools In Particular
(If you have a project / idea in mind that you might wish to put in a bid for but feel you need more support please reach out to Deborah@dpconsulting.co.uk.)
Also this can be a helpful AI tool Application Hints and Tips (AI Generated)
Funding to Aid the Career Progression of School Music Teachers (UK)
The Universal Music UK Sound Foundation (UMUKSF) has launched a new funding round to enable teachers across the UK and Ireland to apply for grants of up to £1,000 towards the cost of a one-off music course or training.
The UMUKSF Teacher Awards will provide the funding towards a recognised course, training or a qualification to aid the career progression of school music teachers delivering the national curriculum.
To date, the Foundation has awarded grants to over 7,000 schools, individual students and teachers to improve their access to music.
Teachers interested in applying for support, should email umuksoundfoundation@umusic.com with a brief explanation of the course/training they would like to undertake and details of their current job. Those eligible to apply will be sent an application form.
The application deadline is 1pm on 27 February 2026.
ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND – NATIONAL LOTTERY PROJECT GRANTS
Deadline: Rolling Amount: £1,000 - £100,000 Focus: Open access programme for arts, libraries and museums projects.
ESMÉE FAIRBAIRN FOUNDATION
Deadline: Rolling Amount: Various Focus: Children and young people's participation in music.
GARFIELD WESTON FOUNDATION
Deadline: Rolling Amount: Various Focus: Supports a wide range of charities that make a positive difference, working in different sectors in the UK, including youth, community and the arts.
Training Opportunities
Individual organisation/person fundraising lab
2 hour one to one session with Deborah Potts (previous CEO of The Music Works who has raised over £40million for creative arts organisations)
Register Here - deborah@dpconsulting.co.uk
Get Grants - Introduction to Digital Fundraising Workshop
Date: 2nd February 2026, 11:00-12:00pm Venue: Online
Get Grants - Introduction to Bid Writing Workshop
Date: 26th February 2026, 12:00-13:00pm Venue: Online
Success Stories
Have a story to share? We'd love to hear how funding has made a difference for you!
If you have a successful project, case study, or impact story, please get in touch.
Let’s inspire others with the power of music and community.
GSW MUSIC HUB FUNDING FORUM
We’re launching a pilot Music Hub Funding Forum to help strengthen connections across the music education community. This is your opportunity to:
- Connect with other music education organisations
- Share funding ideas and opportunities
- Collaborate on joint funding applications
- Access exclusive resources and support
If you're interested in shaping this new initiative and being part of the conversation from the start click below.
Music Funding Guide
This guide has been created by GSW Music Hub to help music organisations find and secure funding from trusts, foundations and grant-making bodies to deliver more music activities for children and young people across Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire.
Whether you need help to understand where to look for grants or creating your case for support then this is a great guide to get you started.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BI-WEEKLY FUNDING BULLETIN
This page is just a snapshot of available funding. Stay up-to-date with the latest funding opportunities, success stories, and resources delivered straight to your inbox.
On the subscribe form choose 'Children, Families and Education' and tick the 'GSW Music Hub Fundraising' option.
CONTACT US
For more information about funding opportunities or to discuss your specific needs, please get in touch with our team.