Grant News
Youth Music has opened applications for its new £2.4 million Recharge Fund: Racial Equity. The fund offers grants of between £40,000 and £120,000 over four years to creative organisations in England that are led by and support communities affected by racial injustice.
The fund aims to strengthen organisations working creatively with children and young people aged 0 to 25. Although Youth Music is a national charity focused on improving young people's lives through music, the fund is open to organisations working across all art forms. Only a small proportion of the funding will go to organisations working exclusively in music.
Grants are mainly intended to cover day-to-day running costs and organisational development, rather than individual creative projects. Funding can support salaries, rent, staff wellbeing, training, leadership development, fundraising and organisational improvements. Small amounts can also be used for project activities and equipment.
To be eligible, organisations must have been operating for at least one year by December 2026 and have an annual turnover of £500,000 or less. They must also show that communities affected by racial injustice play a central role in decision-making and are the main beneficiaries of their work.
Key points
- Open to legally constituted organisations based in England.
- The fund is primarily intended to support organisational development and core running costs, rather than individual creative projects.
- Schools, universities, local authorities and individuals cannot apply.
- Match funding is not required.
Types of activities that can be funded include:
- Staffing and professional development: Salaries, freelance fees, recruitment, staff training, leadership development and succession planning.
- Organisational running costs: Rent, insurance, bookkeeping, security, transport, equipment and IT improvements.
- Staff wellbeing: Counselling, external supervision, rest, care and wellbeing activities for staff, freelancers and volunteers.
- Business development: Strategic planning, fundraising, income generation, communications, marketing and organisational growth.
- Governance and management: Improving organisational policies, financial systems, safeguarding, legal compliance and evaluation.
- Accessibility and inclusion: Translation, interpretation, childcare, physical access improvements and other measures that remove barriers to participation.
- Creative activities: A limited proportion of funding can support arts, music and other creative projects involving children and young people aged 0 to 25, where these contribute to the organisation's long-term development.
Applications must be submitted online by 5pm on 4 December 2026.
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