Hattori Foundation

Charity Number: 1014709

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £184,366 (year ending August 2022)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 2 months for Junior Awards; Senior Awards decided September (auditions June)
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £6,000
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales (UK residents or full-time UK students)

Contact Details

Address: The Hattori Foundation, C/o 1901 Arts Club, 7 Exton Street, London SE1 8UE

Phone: 020 7620 3053

Email: admin@hattorifoundation.org.uk

Website: www.hattorifoundation.org.uk

Overview

The Hattori Foundation is a UK registered charity (No. 1014709) established by the Hattori Family and granted charitable status in 1992. The Foundation supports exceptionally talented young instrumental soloists and chamber ensembles whose talent and achievements show promise of an international career. With annual expenditure of approximately £188,000, the Foundation provides targeted financial assistance to young musicians aged 15-27 to help advance their careers through intensive study, masterclasses, competitions, and concert performances. In 2017, eleven recipients shared awards totalling £42,500, demonstrating the Foundation's commitment to supporting emerging classical music talent. The Foundation also curates Early Evening Concerts at London's 1901 Arts Club, featuring current award winners and alumni performers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Senior Awards (Ages 21-27): Up to £6,000

  • Annual awards with fixed application deadline (normally 30 April)
  • Two-stage selection process: written applications with recordings, followed by in-person auditions in London (June)
  • Awards distributed September for the academic year ahead
  • Application method: Online submission with audio/video recordings
  • Trustees may select exceptional performers for debut performances with leading London orchestras

Junior Awards (Ages 15-20): Up to £1,000

  • Rolling basis applications accepted year-round “while the allocated awards budget allows”
  • Decision time: At least 2 months, though often sooner
  • Application method: Completed form with online recordings and two supporting references
  • No audition required for Junior Awards

Priority Areas

What They Fund:

  • Intensive private study in the UK or abroad
  • Travel expenses to attend national/international competitions
  • Attendance at masterclasses within the UK or abroad
  • Postgraduate living allowance to reduce need for non-performance work
  • UK living expenses for emerging performers
  • Concert sponsorship
  • Financial hardship relief in specific circumstances

Instrument Focus:

The Foundation has consistently supported:

  • Piano (dominant across all award years)
  • Violin and cello (consistently well-represented)
  • Wind instruments (clarinet, flute, saxophone, oboe)
  • Harp (growing presence in recent years)
  • Occasionally: guitar, accordion, tuba, marimba, organ, and sitar

What They Don't Fund

  • Singers, conductors, or composers
  • Orchestral courses
  • Full-time study or course fees
  • Instrument purchase, repair, or maintenance
  • Retrospective payments (awards cannot be made in arrears)
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Governance and Leadership

Patron

Toyoko Hattori

Board of Trustees

  • Andrew Marriner (Chair)
  • Krzysztof Chorzelski
  • Lady Gomersall
  • Joji Hattori
  • Piers Lane AO
  • Catriona Syed
  • Raphael Wallfisch
  • Paul Watkins
  • David Whelton OBE

Trustee Company: The Hattori Trust Company Limited (company no. 2749030)

Team

  • Gordon Back – Artistic Advisor
  • Hannah Burchett – Administrator
  • Glenn Kesby – General Manager

Founding Trustees (Recently Deceased)

The Foundation was led for over 25 years by two distinguished musicians:

  • Erich Gruenberg OBE (1924-2020): Served as chair from 1992-2018. A renowned violinist who led major orchestras and taught at the Royal Academy of Music.
  • Dr Martin Lovett OBE (1927-2020): Founding trustee who served until 2018. Notable as a member of the Amadeus Quartet, bringing deep understanding of chamber music excellence.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Senior Awards:

  1. Submit completed application form with audio or video recordings by deadline (normally 30 April)
  2. If selected, receive invitation to audition by 21 May
  3. Attend in-person auditions in London (typically 7-8 June)
  4. Awards announced and distributed in September

Junior Awards:

  1. Submit completed application form year-round
  2. Provide URLs to online recordings (audio or video)
  3. Arrange for two supporting references to be sent directly by referees
  4. Applications may be emailed to admin@hattorifoundation.org.uk, but references must be sent separately by referees

Contact for Applications:

The General Manager (Junior Awards) or The Administrator (Senior Awards)

Hattori Foundation, C/o 1901 Arts Club, 7 Exton Street, London SE1 8UE

Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must be:

  • British citizens, OR
  • Foreign nationals normally resident in the UK, OR
  • Foreign nationals studying full-time in the UK

Age Requirements:

  • Junior Awards: 15-20 years old
  • Senior Awards: 21-27 years old (chamber ensembles: average age ≤27, working together ≥12 months)

Decision Timeline

Senior Awards:

  • Application deadline: 30 April
  • Stage 2 invitations: By 21 May
  • Auditions: Early June (7-8 June in 2025)
  • Awards distributed: September

Junior Awards:

  • Rolling basis throughout the year
  • Allow at least 2 months for decision
  • Responses often come sooner
  • Subject to available budget

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose application numbers or success rates. However, historical data suggests:

  • In 2017, eleven recipients shared £42,500 in awards
  • The Foundation has recognized hundreds of classical musicians since 1993
  • Trustees describe receiving “a very strong number of Senior Award applications representing some of the cream of the next generation of instrumental soloists”

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation's reapplication policy is not explicitly stated on their website. Applicants seeking clarification should contact the Foundation directly.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated priorities and award patterns:

Key Selection Criteria:

  1. Promise of International Career: The Foundation explicitly seeks musicians “whose talent and achievements give promise of an international career.” Applications should demonstrate trajectory toward professional performance at the highest level.
  1. Exceptional Talent: The Foundation uses the term “exceptionally talented” consistently. Your application recordings must showcase technical mastery and artistic maturity.
  1. Clear Project Focus: Awards are made to “assist with projects they had submitted to the trustees.” Applications should outline specific, well-defined projects with clear career development benefits.
  1. Western Classical Music Focus: All successful applicants work in western classical music tradition. The Foundation is not able to support other genres.
  1. Career Development Need: Given the Foundation's support for living expenses “to reduce non-performance work” and competition/masterclass attendance, successful applications demonstrate how funding will advance professional development.

Instrument Representation Insights:

The Foundation has shown consistent support for piano, violin, and cello over its 30+ year history, though all instrumental soloists are eligible. Wind instruments (clarinet, flute, saxophone, oboe) and harp are increasingly represented. Chamber ensembles, particularly string quartets and piano trios, receive recognition alongside soloists.

Pattern of Early Career Tracking:

Analysis of past winners shows the Foundation often identifies emerging talent early, with musicians receiving Junior Awards followed by Senior Awards 1-3 years later. This suggests the Foundation values sustained development and may look favorably on previous engagement.

Professional Trajectory:

Recent award winners typically maintain professional web presence and active performance schedules, reflecting modern music industry expectations. The Foundation's selection standards have evolved to reflect increasingly competitive professional landscape.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Target the right age bracket: Ensure applicants fall within 15-20 (Junior) or 21-27 (Senior) age ranges with appropriate citizenship/residency status.
  • Focus on career trajectory, not education: The Foundation supports “promise of an international career” through private study, competitions, and performance opportunities—not full-time academic programs or course fees.
  • Be specific about project needs: Awards assist with clearly defined projects. Articulate exactly how funding will advance professional development.
  • Quality recordings are critical: For Junior Awards, recordings alone determine selection. For Senior Awards, recordings determine who receives audition invitations. Invest time in high-quality audio/video submissions.
  • Plan application timing carefully: Senior Awards follow fixed annual cycle (April deadline, June auditions, September distribution). Junior Awards operate year-round but are subject to budget availability—apply early in the financial year when funds are most available.
  • Don't request funding for instruments or retrospective costs: The Foundation explicitly excludes instrument purchase/repair and cannot make payments for expenses already incurred.
  • Demonstrate professional readiness: The Foundation increasingly selects musicians with established professional activity, web presence, and performance records, reflecting competitive selection standards over 30+ years of operation.

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References

All sources.