Cathedral Music Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £470,000 - £500,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (high competition)
• Decision Time: 3-4 months (applications assessed March/May annually)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £30,000
• Geographic Focus: UK and Republic of Ireland

Contact Details

Website: https://www.cathedralmusictrust.org.uk/

Email: Secretary@cathedralmusictrust.org.uk

Phone: 020 3151 6096

Pre-Application Support: Applicants are welcome to discuss applications with Trust staff in advance of submission. Webinars providing guidance on how to apply and tips to make applications stand out are available.

Overview

The Cathedral Music Trust, founded in 1956 as the Friends of Cathedral Music and renamed in 2020, is a national charity dedicated to transforming lives through cathedral music. Since its foundation, the Trust has made a positive difference to the lives of many thousands of children, young people and adult musicians across the UK and Ireland, distributing more than £2 million in grants in the six years prior to 2020 alone. HRH The Duchess of Gloucester became Royal Patron in 2021. The Trust is currently implementing its first five-year Strategic Plan (2024-2029) under the leadership of CEO Jonathan Mayes, who joined in July 2024. The Trust supports excellence, broadens participation, and increases long-term sustainability of cathedral music through grants, training, advocacy, and research.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Cathedral Music Support Programme (CMSP)

• Grant Range: Up to £30,000 over two years
• Application Method: Two-stage process - online application form followed by friendly online discussion with Trust staff and Grants Assessment Panel
• Schedule: Annual cycle, reopens January 2026
• Assessment Period: March
• Focus: Building partnerships with cathedrals and choral foundations to address key sector challenges

Church Choir Award

• Grant Range: Up to £10,000 per project
• Co-funding Required: Applicants must contribute at least 10% of project cost
• Application Method: Two-stage process
• Schedule: Annual cycle
• Assessment Period: May
• Focus: Innovative or enriching projects for high-standard church choirs singing cathedral-style repertoire
• Total Annual Distribution: £30,000 (approximately 7 awards in 2025)

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses on three strategic priorities:

1. Pathways to Music: Creating access routes into cathedral music for young people and widening participation
2. Training and Development: Supporting skill development for choristers, organ and choral scholars, and developing musical expertise
3. Supporting the Workforce: Professional development and support for cathedral music department staff and administrative roles

The Trust prioritizes:

• Activities demonstrating significant impact with potential for long-term success
• Projects working in partnership with other organizations (e.g., local music hubs, arts organizations)
• Matched funding or in-kind support from partners
• Projects aligned with objectives of excellence, participation, and sustainability
• Both ongoing work and new activities are eligible

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside the UK, UK Crown Dependencies, or Republic of Ireland
• Places of worship that don't promote cathedral-style choral repertoire
• Organizations that don't maintain a regular pattern of choral services most weeks during term time
• For Church Choir Award: Churches singing three or more services weekly (these should apply to CMSP instead)

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Governance and Leadership

Royal Patron: HRH The Duchess of Gloucester (appointed 2021)

President: Harry Christophers CBE, founder and conductor of The Sixteen

Ambassador: Alexander Armstrong, television presenter and former chorister

Chair of Trustees: Jonathan Macdonald

Notable Trustee: David Hill MBE, renowned choral and orchestral conductor (joined 2024)

Chief Executive Officer: Jonathan Mayes (appointed July 2024), bringing 20 years' experience with UK and North American arts organisations including leadership roles with Clore Leadership, the Philharmonia, Arts Council England, the Pittsburgh and Chicago Symphony Orchestras, the Southbank Centre and the Barbican.

Key Quote from CEO: Jonathan Mayes emphasizes "the Trust's work is a vital support for the excellence and inclusivity of the music in our cathedrals, schools, concert halls and communities.“ He states: ”The invaluable work of our cathedral and church musicians enriches the lives of both participants and the communities in which they operate. At a time when the sector faces numerous financial challenges, this much-needed investment demonstrates Cathedral Music Trust's dedication to securing the future of our world-renowned tradition."

The Trust maintains committees including Development and Programmes, Finance & Audit, Events Working Group, and Grants Assessment Panel.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Two-Stage Process:

Stage One: Complete online application form available on the Trust website

Stage Two: Successful Stage One applicants participate in a friendly online discussion with Cathedral Music Trust staff and representatives of the Grants Assessment Panel to discuss evidence of need and how proposed work will meet this need

Pre-Application Contact: Strongly encouraged - applicants welcome to email or phone with questions about eligibility or proposed applications before submitting

Webinar Guidance: The Trust provides recorded webinars offering guidance on how to apply and tips to help applications stand out

Decision Timeline

• Application Opens: January (for CMSP), timing varies for Church Choir Award
• Assessment Period: March (CMSP), May (Church Choir Award)
• Decision Method: Online meeting to confirm CMSP awards; in-person meeting for Church Choir Award decisions
• Total Timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from application opening to decision

Success Rates

While exact success rates are not published, the Trust acknowledges:

• Demand for funds significantly exceeds available amounts
• They expect to receive more highly-ranked applications than they can fund
• Many strong applications that progress to Stage Two cannot be supported
• In 2025: 20 new CMSP awards made, plus 20 continuing multi-year grants from 2024
• In 2025: 7 Church Choir Awards made from £30,000 total funding

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly stated. The Trust encourages contact with staff to discuss future applications. Multi-year grants from previous rounds suggest successful applicants receive ongoing support rather than needing to immediately reapply.

Application Success Factors

What the Grants Assessment Panel Looks For

Applications are ranked according to:

• Potential for impact: Breadth and depth of anticipated outcomes
• Alignment with mission: How well the project supports “transforming lives through cathedral music”
• Excellence: Demonstration of high-quality musicianship and standards
• Participation: Evidence of widening access and broadening involvement
• Sustainability: Long-term viability and lasting effect beyond the funding period
• Evidence of need: Clear demonstration of why funding is required

Strategic Preferences

• Partnership working: The Trust is keen to support activities working with other partners and expects applicants to have discussed partnerships in advance
• Matched funding: Partner contributions (financial or in-kind) strengthen applications
• Duration: Activities lasting up to two years that demonstrate significant impact
• Innovation: For Church Choir Award, innovative and enriching projects are prioritized

Recent Funded Projects as Examples

• Leeds Cathedral: Theory and vocal tuition for choristers, organ scholar development, four new choral scholarships for choral leadership
• Coventry Cathedral: £28,900 for Music Department Administrative Support (2024-2026) enabling chorister education and engagement programmes
• Salisbury Cathedral: Support for Youth and Junior Choirs, offering free participation to any child in the Diocese
• Carlisle Cathedral: £29,500 for music department support
• Truro Cathedral: £30,000 over 2 years (September 2024 - August 2026)

Direct Advice from the Trust

• Pre-application discussion welcomed and encouraged
• Watch webinar recordings for application tips
• Focus on demonstrating impact, not just activity
• Show how work aligns with the three priority areas (Pathways to Music, Training and Development, Supporting the Workforce)
• Applications accepted for both ongoing work and new activities
• The Trust offers more than financial support - they keep in contact with recipients and offer help with planning, monitoring and evaluation

Language and Terminology to Use

• “Transforming lives through cathedral music”
• “Excellence, participation, and sustainability”
• “Cathedral-style choral repertoire”
• “Widening participation”
• “Developing expertise”
• “Long-term sustainability of the cathedral music sector”
• “Partnership working”
• “Pathways to music”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Contact them early: Pre-application discussions are welcomed and encouraged - use this opportunity to test your idea and get feedback before formal submission
• Partnership is key: Applications demonstrating collaboration with music hubs, arts organizations, or other partners are strongly preferred, ideally with matched funding
• Focus on impact over activity: The Grants Assessment Panel prioritizes potential impact and outcomes, not just what you'll do but what difference it will make
• Align with all three priorities: Strongest applications demonstrate connection to Pathways to Music, Training and Development, and Supporting the Workforce
• Be realistic about competition: Demand significantly exceeds supply, and many strong Stage Two applications cannot be funded - make your case compelling
• Demonstrate sustainability: Show how the work will have lasting impact beyond the funding period and contribute to long-term viability
• Use available resources: Watch the webinar recordings for application tips and insights into what makes applications stand out
• Think beyond funding: The Trust offers ongoing support, monitoring and evaluation assistance - articulate how you'd benefit from this partnership approach

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• WATERAID
• THE RESTORATION TRUST
• THE FREE SCHOOL
• HELP FUND
• CHURCH HOUSE
• Central Park
• Heritage Lottery Fund
• Google

References

1. Cathedral Music Trust official website. https://www.cathedralmusictrust.org.uk/
2. Cathedral Music Trust, “Cathedral Music Support Programme 2025.” https://www.cathedralmusictrust.org.uk/programmes/cathedral-music-support-programme-2025/
3. Cathedral Music Trust, “Church Choir Award 2025.” https://www.cathedralmusictrust.org.uk/programmes/church-choir-award/
4. Cathedral Music Trust, “Trust invests £470,000 in cathedral music.” https://www.cathedralmusictrust.org.uk/trust-invests-470000-in-cathedral-music/
5. Cathedral Music Trust, “Trust invests £500,000 in cathedral music.” https://www.cathedralmusictrust.org.uk/trust-invests-500000-in-cathedral-music
6. Cathedral Music Trust, “Our People.” https://www.cathedralmusictrust.org.uk/about-us/our-people/
7. Cathedral Music Trust, “Our Story.” https://www.cathedralmusictrust.org.uk/about-us/our-story/
8. Cathedral Music Trust, “Introducing our new CEO.” https://www.cathedralmusictrust.org.uk/introducing-our-new-ceo/
9. UK Charity Commission, “Cathedral Music Trust - Charity Number 1187769.” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5153299
10. Cathedral Music Trust, “Strategic Plan 2024-2029 Summary.” https://issuu.com/cathedralmusic/docs/cathedral-music-trust-strategic-plan-summary
11. Wikipedia, “Cathedral Music Trust.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_Music_Trust
12. Coventry Cathedral, “Coventry Cathedral receives Cathedral Music Trust grant.” https://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/news-and-updates/coventry-cathedral-receives-cathedral-music-trust-grant-2
13. Diocese of Leeds, “Grant Funding Success for Leeds Cathedral Choirs.” https://www.dioceseofleeds.org.uk/grantfundingsuccess/
14. Carlisle Cathedral, “Cathedral Music Trust Grant Awarded.” https://carlislecathedral.org.uk/cathedral-music-trust-grant-awarded/