Backstage Trust

Charity Number: 1145887

Annual Expenditure: £5.7M
Throughout England And Wales

Contact Info

Phone: 020 7072 4498

Email: info@backstagetrust.org.uk

Be the first to know about new funding opportunities

Get notified when we add new funders to the directory

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £4,552,201 (average from 2022-2024 data)
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 6 weeks from application receipt
  • Grant Range: £2,000 - £500,000
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide (primarily England, with some international projects)

Contact Details

Email: info@backstagetrust.org.uk

Phone: 020 7072 4498

Address: Ms Helen Cave, Administrator, The Backstage Trust, North House, 27 Great Peter Street, London SW1P 3LN

The Trust does not operate a website. Further details can be found in their Information Pack, available on request.

Overview

Established in 2012, the Backstage Trust was founded to encourage live art—mainly the performing arts and music—to flourish, particularly in an environment where government support and understanding of the sector's challenges is limited. The Trust itself was seeded with £2 million in funding from the Gatsby Charitable Foundation (two grants of £1 million each in 2013 and 2018). Between April 2022 and March 2024, the Trust made 251 grants totaling £9,104,402 to support registered charities and Community Interest Companies across the performing arts sector. With trustees including Dame Susie Sainsbury and acclaimed children's playwright David Wood, the Trust brings significant arts expertise to its grant-making approach.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust offers both small and large grants with no specified minimum or maximum amounts. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis in writing, with trustees meeting twice annually to make grant decisions and review investments. Matched funding contributions are often required.

Recent grant examples:

  • Travelling Light Theatre Company: £15,000 for youth theatre programme in Bristol
  • Unity Theatre Liverpool: Grant for building regeneration and accessibility improvements
  • Grant range across all awards: £2,000 - £500,000

Priority Areas

  • Young people in the performing arts: Encouraging involvement of children and young people, particularly disadvantaged youth in live arts projects
  • Community participation and equality: Supporting projects in under-represented areas and promoting diversity
  • Professional development: Consultant advice for small and medium-scale arts organisations to help remove barriers and encourage diversity
  • New writing: Encouraging the development of new theatrical works
  • Freelance performing arts community: Providing support to individual freelance artists working through registered organisations
  • Capital projects: Funding aspects that lack conventional donor appeal (e.g., accessible toilets, backstage facilities)
  • Consultancy support: Funding for professional advice on fundraising strategies, feasibility studies, case for support, and recruiting development staff

What They Don't Fund

  • Direct funding to individuals
  • Training fees for individuals
  • Organisations without robust safeguarding policies
  • Non-registered charities or Community Interest Companies

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Dame Susie Sainsbury (Trustee since February 2012)

Dame Susie is a prominent arts philanthropist from the Sainsbury family, known for her commitment to cultural causes. She has publicly stated about arts projects: “The sight of 888,246 ceramic Poppies, creating a monumental installation at the Tower of London, has stirred the emotions and imaginations of millions of people. I am personally thrilled that the idea of touring two important sections of the installation has been received with enthusiasm.”

David Wood (Trustee since February 2012)

David Wood is an acclaimed playwright and performer, widely regarded as "the national children's dramatist." His extensive experience in theatre for young audiences brings valuable sector knowledge to the Trust's grant-making decisions. He is also a trustee of The Three Guineas Trust and The True Colours Trust.

Dominic Flynn (Trustee since February 2012)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  • Method: Written application only
  • Length: Maximum 4 pages (A4)
  • Timing: Rolling basis—applications accepted at any time
  • Format: Written letter/proposal sent to the Administrator

Required information:

  1. Contact details
  2. Organisation's charitable aims/objectives
  3. Project proposal summary
  4. Total project cost
  5. Planned completion date
  6. Budget breakdown
  7. “Shopping list” of specific project aspects
  8. Fundraising plans and current pledges
  9. Project monitoring and evaluation plan

Important: Longer applications or additional documentation will not be considered. Safeguarding policy documentation will be requested if the application is successful.

Decision Timeline

  • Trustees respond within 6 weeks of receipt
  • Trustees meet twice annually to make final grant decisions
  • Notification is by written correspondence

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The Trust made 251 grants to 215 recipients between April 2022 and March 2024, indicating some organisations received multiple grants.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust's reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly specified. Contact the Administrator for guidance on resubmissions.

Application Success Factors

Key Requirements

Demonstrate viability clearly: Applicants must show convincing evidence that their project is viable and well-planned.

Evidence good management: Organisations must demonstrate good management practices and supportive governance structures capable of delivering the project.

Provide a realistic fundraising strategy: The Trust expects to see proof of a convincing and realistic fundraising strategy, particularly as matched funding is often required.

Safeguarding is essential: Only organisations with robust safeguarding policies will be considered—this is non-negotiable.

Strategic Advice

  • Be concise: Stick strictly to the 4-page maximum; longer applications will not be considered
  • Fit the criteria explicitly: Clearly demonstrate how your project aligns with their specific focus areas
  • Provide detailed financial planning: Include comprehensive budget breakdowns and fundraising plans with current pledges
  • Address the “less appealing” elements: The Trust is particularly interested in funding capital project aspects that lack conventional donor appeal (e.g., accessible toilets, backstage infrastructure)
  • Highlight evaluation plans: Include clear monitoring and evaluation strategies

Recent Funding Examples

  • Youth theatre programmes for disadvantaged communities
  • Building accessibility improvements for theatres
  • Professional development consultancy for small-scale arts organisations
  • Projects promoting diversity and removing barriers to participation

Language and Terminology

The Trust uses language emphasizing “live art,” “flourishing,” “encouraging,” and “removing barriers.” They focus on practical support and professional development rather than one-off events.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Keep it tight: The 4-page maximum is strictly enforced—clarity and conciseness are valued over comprehensive detail
  • Safeguarding first: Ensure your safeguarding policy is robust and up-to-date before applying; it's a fundamental requirement
  • Focus on sustainability: Demonstrate good governance and a realistic fundraising strategy; matched funding is often expected
  • Think “unglamorous”: The Trust specifically welcomes requests for capital project elements that lack donor appeal—don't shy away from asking for accessible toilets or technical equipment
  • Emphasize young people and diversity: Projects involving disadvantaged youth or promoting equality in under-represented areas are priority areas
  • Professional development matters: Consultant advice and capacity-building proposals are welcomed, not just project funding
  • Rolling applications work in your favor: With no fixed deadlines, you can apply when your project is ready rather than rushing to meet a cutoff

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

References