D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust

Grants are available for UK registered charities working in the UK in the areas of participation in the performing arts, creative health interventions, and heritage crafts and skills.

Objectives of Fund

The funding is for charitable work in the UK that addresses the objectives of the Trust, which are:

• Performing arts.
• Creative health.
• Heritage crafts.

The Trust's focus is on projects that increase access for communities that face barriers to opportunity.

Value Notes

Grants generally range from £500 to £8,000. 

Unrestricted funding is available for charities with an income of under £250,000.

Work must begin at least two months after groups have been informed of the decision unless they have secured at least 75% of the funds they require.

Who Can Apply

Applications are accepted from UK registered or regulated exempt charities working within the UK for the benefit of UK residents.

There is a separate application process for small charities (with an annual income of £5 million and under per annum) and large charities (with an annual income of above £5 million).

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

• If it fits with the funding themes.
• That the people who will benefit face identifiable barriers to opportunity.
• How the people who will benefit from the work are identified and prioritised.
• That the charity can deliver the intended outcomes.
• Financial management and reserves.
• Inclusive practice.
• Appropriate safeguarding arrangements.

Restrictions

Funding is not available for:

• Capital projects and routine maintenance.
• General and round-robin appeals.
• Individuals.
• Medical research.
• Mainstream education across all key stages (eg nurseries, playgroups, primary/secondary schools, post-16 institutions).
• Projects taking place or providing benefit outside the UK.
• Retrospective funding.
• Sport.
• Universities.

Unsuccessful applicants must wait two years before reapplying.

Charities that have received three grants within five financial years must wait three years before applying again.

Organisations that have not submitted the required monitoring reports are not eligible to apply.

Eligible Expenditure

Projects must fall within the following fields of interest:

Performing Arts

Supporting community music-making, performing arts engagement and early-stage career development.

The Trust funds:

• Amateur community music-making and singing.
• Performing arts engagement for underserved communities, particularly young people.
• Charities that provide early-stage career development to improve social mobility in the performing arts.

Creative Health

Funding non-clinical interventions that improve physical, emotional and mental health.

The Trust funds:

• Arts-based interventions accessed through referral.
• Short breaks for young carers.
• Animal-assisted therapy and horticulture.

Heritage Crafts

Protecting rare craft skills and linking traditional skills to training and employment.

The Trust funds:

• Protection of rare or endangered heritage craft skills.
• Projects linking heritage skills to employment and training, particularly for young people.

Location

United Kingdom

How To Apply

The fund is now open for applications with the following deadlines:

• 8 May 2026 for first-stage applications for large charities (charities with an annual income of above £5 million). Successful first-stage applicants will be invited to submit a second-stage application by 1 June 2026.
• 1 June 2026 for small charities (charities with an annual income of £5 million and under per annum).

Applications can be made online via the Trust's website. Grants will be decided in mid July 2026 and applicants will be informed by the end of August.

Contact the D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust for further information.