Funding & Support

Support for music makers can come in many different ways – although money to help achieve your ideas is useful; advice, information and guidance can be just as effective in helping you too.

There are several links on this page to funders – but it’s useful to know that jumping straight in for funding isn’t simple – consider contacting some of the non-funders listed here for essential and up to date support.  

THERE IS FUNDING OUT THERE THOUGH – it may just take a bit of work to get it. 

“Getting Funding” is a lot easier to say than it is to do – and it isn’t always as straightforward as it may seem.

One of the most important things to remember is that funding (i.e. the £££ that may be given out) is generally there to help funders achieve their own aims.  They may be set up to help support the arts, or businesses or specifically musicians – but there will always be a set of T&Cs to follow.

If you can’t meet their T&Cs – then it’s probably not worth applying as you’ll waste their time – but, more importantly, you’ll waste yours.

If the aims of a funder coincide with your own aims, then that’s good.  But if you’re looking to do specific things, or buying specific pieces of kit, then you’re narrowing your options down and you may not find a funder that can assist you.

Remember – when you engage with a funder, you’re working within a relationship – and like all relationships, it will require work to be successful.  If you prefer to do things under your own terms – and you are able to do so – then funding may not be for you. 

Do some research – in addition to the funders featured here, there are new ones popping up all the time.  And if they offer you a mailing list service – sign up to it – that’s usually where they break news of new funds.

If a funder offers the chance of a pre-application chat – take them up on it.  Most funders don’t do this, so if you find one that does, snap up the chance.

If you’re successful in getting funds, it will create more work for you – making the applications, running activity and reporting back to the funder.  So remember to build in time for doing the admin – as well as doing the fun stuff that funding might bring.  If you don’t do the admin – the funder may ask for their money back – which is never a good thing for you or them.

Funders may also need you to disclose information about your finances – it can seem quite invasive, but it’s for a reason. A funder will generally only fund you if you or the work you want to do is financially viable / sustainable.  So if you present an application on the basis that you can’t afford to do anything because you’re skint – it’s not likely to succeed, as harsh as that may seem.  

If you’re looking to buy instruments or other kit – some funding organisations might suggest that you look at taking out some kind of loan or HP type finance – and then identify ways of paying back a loan by generating extra income by using the equipment.

There are occasionally low interest loans available to buy kit – keep an eye on those all important mailing lists…

Good luck – and if you need any help or advice on an application or a funder; drop us a line to hello@teesmusicalliance.org.uk and we’ll try and assist.