Sources of Funding
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Organisations Offering AdviceAssociation of Charitable Foundations The UK's support organisation for grant making trusts and foundations of all types. Contains useful information on the website but cannot give advice about individual applications, nor help grant-seekers find suitable funders.
The Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET) CDET offers advice to those embarking on courses in dance.
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) The DfES produces publications which gives details of grants available from LEAs to students who are taking first degrees and comparable courses; diploma of higher education courses, teacher training and HND courses. Leaflets are free upon request.
The Education Grants Advisory Service Set up to help students and parents by putting them in touch with likely sources of financial aid, also offering information about welfare grants. The Service advises students and parents faced with difficulties in their negotiations with LEAs and provide liaison with educational charities. There is also a useful online database which will search for charities appropriate for your course.
The Foundation for Sport and the Arts Occasionally makes awards for dance and drama studies.
The National Union of Students (NUS) Produces the NUS Welfare Information Pack, which includes information on grants, awards and alternative financial assistance.
The University of London Careers Service Maintains a reference library containing information from various educational trusts and foundations who may offer assistance to students, endowed scholarships and details and guidance on all grants available from LEAs.
Arts & Humanities Research Board (AHRB) Administers a scheme of postgraduate professional and vocational awards.
The Central Advisory for Trusts and Scholarships Library which you can use by appointment. Mon - Thurs, 10am-4pm. Charitable Trusts and FoundationsBelow is a list of some charitable trusts and Foundations that have awarded grants to students in the past. However it is not a definitive list and you should also refer to the books and directories of Trusts and Foundations listed below.
The Altrusa Careers Trust The Trust was established to help women in the UK and Eire further their career prospects or to retrain after bringing up a family. Present loan maximum is £500. Applications received are reviewed after 31 March each year. The Ann Driver Trust To advance the education of youth in the arts and sciences. Requests for an application form should be made by the April preceding the academic year beginning in September. The Crescent Trust Equity Trust Fund Only able to help professional performers, but some students may be able to meet the criteria set by the trust. Fame Academy Bursary to fund West End Dreams Offering up to 20 awards worth a total of £150,000 to aspiring performers to kick start or continue their musical theatre studies. Open for applications early spring. The Fenton Arts Trust Grants are made towards the creative arts, principally painting and drama. Applications in writing to Ms Shelley Baxter. The Follett Trust
Mackintosh Foundation Awards scholarships to promote and develop theatre and the performing arts.
The Rosemary Bugden Charitable Trust Contact J W Sharpe.
Funding for performing arts in U.K Apply to the Secretary, in writing (including SAE). The trustees apply their funds towards supporting parents with the educational costs of their children and respond more readily to appeals relating to children with special talents, particularly in the artistic fields. They also respond more readily to appeals which show that there is an element of self-help already in operation and where a lack of finance could preclude children from receiving the type of education their particular 'gift' merits. The Sidney Perry Foundation Assistance to those of great promise, under 35 at the start of their course, who would be unable to proceed with their studies through lack of means. Average grant in the region of £500. Application form available from Mrs L A Owens enclosing a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The Talbot House Trust Assistance for individuals undertaking courses in the performing arts. Grants to help with the cost of equipment/instruments, fees or maintenance/living expenses. No grants are made to Postgraduates.Forms should be submited by March for consideration in May. Contact: Mrs Jane Day.
The Thomas Wall Trust The Thomas Wall Trust welcomes applications from UK nationals only, particularly those who, through adverse or unexpected circumstances, have financial difficulties but who wish to pursue vocational courses or courses concerned with social welfare which will subsequently lead to paid employment. Grants normally supplement assistance received from other sources, and have a current maximum value of £1000 p.a. The Trustees require the submission of an online application form completed in full. The Trust opens at the beginning of the year to consider courses beginning in September of that year. The contact name is: Sue Ellis, Charities Officer.
Helpful BooksSome of the books listed should be available in large public libraries, many of them can be purchased from the Directory of Social Change (DSC) including the Educational Grants Directory, A Guide to the Major Trusts, Grants for Individuals in Need and The Arts Funding Guide.
The Educational Grants Directory
Sponsorship for Students
The Grants Register
The Directory of Grant Making Trusts
University Scholarships and Awards
Sponsorship and Funding Directory
Scholarship Guide for Commonwealth Postgraduate Students
The Education Yearbook
Money To Study: The Complete Guide to Student Finance Useful Websites |