Musicians Benevolent Fund (help Musicians)

Charity Number: 228089

Annual Expenditure: £6.7M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £6.7 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: ~20% (approximately 1 in 5 applications successful)
  • Decision Time: 6 weeks (Fast Track Awards)
  • Grant Range: £500 - £15,000
  • Geographic Focus: UK national (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

Contact Details

Website: www.helpmusicians.org.uk

Phone: 020 7239 9100 (main); 020 7239 9101 (support enquiries, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri)

Email: secretariat@helpmusicians.org.uk; support@helpmusicians.org.uk

Pre-Application Support: Book a free 20-minute 1:1 application support call to discuss your application

Overview

Founded in 1921 as the Gervase Elwes Memorial Fund and registered as Musicians Benevolent Fund (Charity No. 228089) in 1926, Help Musicians is the UK's leading charity for professional musicians across all genres. With His Majesty King Charles III as Patron, the organization supports musicians from the start of their careers through to retirement. In 2024, Help Musicians delivered over 17,000 interventions including 1,577 physical health assessments, 3,341 hours of expert industry guidance, and career-development financial support for 458 musicians. Total charitable expenditure reached £6.65 million in 2024. The organization pioneered Music Minds Matter in 2017, the first 24/7 mental health helpline for musicians, demonstrating their innovative approach to holistic musician support. Their mission is clear: “We love music and want a world where musicians thrive.”

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Fast Track Awards (£500)

Rolling applications with 6-week decision time for musicians at pivotal career moments. Funds instruments/equipment, performance opportunities, touring, studio hire, skills development, or conference fees. Apply at least 6 weeks before the activity date.

Next Level Awards (£5,000-£15,000)

For musicians with strong track records facing hurdles in larger, longer-term projects. Application windows: February 3-28, 2025. Requires 12-week lead time before funded activities. Cannot fund instrument purchases or ongoing education.

Peter Whittingham Jazz Award (£5,000 main award + £2,500 development awards)

Prestigious award established in 1990 supporting emerging jazz creators with funding for creative projects plus one-to-one business advice. Previous winners include Xhosa Cole, Soweto Kinch, and Errollyn Wallen.

Open Fund for Music Creators (up to £5,000)

For music creators of all genres to create new music and reach new audiences. Applicants must have 18+ months track record creating music and not be signed to major labels or in full-time education.

Postgraduate Support

Awards for musicians undertaking advanced training, plus short-term treatment costs for music students with health problems.

Health & Welfare Support

£1.1 million spent annually on musicians' health and welfare needs, including physical health assessments, home visits, and specialist treatment funding.

Priority Areas

  • Musicians at critical/pivotal career moments requiring urgent support
  • Long-term career development with clear income growth potential
  • Musicians demonstrating consistent dedication and professional track record
  • Health and welfare support for working musicians facing illness, injury, or mental health challenges
  • Creative development and new music creation
  • Skills development and professional networking

What They Don't Fund

  • Ongoing overhead costs (rent, utilities, insurance)
  • General living costs or lost earnings replacement
  • Projects where their contribution is less than 30% of total cost
  • Attendance at showcases already funded by International Showcase Fund (SXSW, Womex, etc.)
  • Long-term formal courses, research, or non-performance music degrees (composition, music technology, music business, music therapy)
  • Activities for musicians with household income exceeding thresholds or savings over £10,000
  • Musicians already receiving other Help Musicians career development support
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Bob Shennan (Chair) - Former BBC Studios Director with extensive media leadership experience across BBC Sport, BBC Music, Radio 2, and 6 Music. Also Vice-Chairman of BBC Children in Need.

Cliff Fluet (Vice Chair) - Partner at Lewis Silkin LLP with 25+ years advising music industry on media, entertainment, and technology matters.

Stephen Swift (Treasurer) - Institutional stockbroker and former music scholar, trumpet player in National Youth Orchestra, trustee of Britten Pears Arts.

Recent Appointments (2024-2025):

  • Lorna Clarke - BBC Director of Music, brings decades of broadcasting experience with deep understanding of artists' needs across genres
  • Stephanie Haughton-Campbell - COO at UK Music with extensive expertise in organizational culture and creative industries development

Other Trustees:

  • Charisse Beaumont - CEO of Black Lives in Music, Music Week Women in Music Roll of Honour recipient
  • Isabel Garvey - COO of Warner Music UK, former Managing Director of Abbey Road Studios, named in Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People

Executive Leadership

Sarah Woods (Chief Executive) - Joined 2019 after leading marketing at Royal Albert Hall. Over 25 years charity sector experience. Music graduate from Kingston University who plays cello and piano. Led the organization through the pandemic, distributing over £20 million through the Coronavirus Hardship Fund.

Laurie Oliva (Director of Services and Research) - Nearly two decades in service design and leadership, previously with NHS England and Big Issue. Passionate about understanding music makers' experiences.

Lesley Page (Director of Finance) - Leads finance and facilities functions across Help Musicians' operations in London, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Online Portal: All applications submitted via www.helpmusicians.org.uk using online forms specific to each program.

Application Bands: Support categorized into four bands based on cost:

  • Bands 1-2: Self-declaration of financial circumstances, no documents required
  • Bands 3-4: Requires reference plus 3 months bank statements for all personal accounts

Pre-Application Support: Free 20-minute 1:1 support sessions available to discuss application ideas and receive guidance on strong applications.

Key Requirements:

  • Must earn ~40% income from music over past two years (exceptions for long-term health conditions/disabilities affecting earning for 12+ months)
  • UK bank account required for grants
  • Age 18+, living in UK with right to work
  • Less than £10,000 in savings (exceptions for tax bills, primary home purchase, medical equipment, care home fees up to £15,000, music education/parental leave savings)
  • Household income limits apply (£35k-£60k depending on circumstances)

Decision Timeline

Fast Track Awards: Within 6 weeks of complete submission. Grants typically received within 10 days of acceptance.

Next Level Awards: Decision within application window. Activities must occur at least 12 weeks after application.

Feedback: Musicians reaching final rounds of Career Development services offered feedback calls. Others can request written feedback, though minimum standard applications receive general guidance only.

Success Rates

Help Musicians can support approximately 1 in 5 applicants (20% success rate) due to high demand across all programs. In 2024, they supported 458 musicians with career-development focused financial support from thousands of applications.

As stated in their guidance: “All areas of our support have high demand, and we generally can only support, at most, one in five musicians who apply to us.”

Reapplication Policy

No Restrictions on Future Applications: Making an appeal “will not affect, in any way, the level of service you receive from us or the chances of using our services in the future.”

Current Support Restrictions: Musicians awaiting outcomes from another career development application or currently receiving Help Musicians career development support cannot apply for additional career programs until current support ends.

No Public Waiting Period: No specific waiting period stated for unsuccessful applicants to reapply.

Application Success Factors

What Help Musicians Prioritizes

1. Timing and Urgency

  • “The timing of this opportunity is critical rather than it could be done at any time”
  • Support needed at pivotal career moments when intervention creates maximum impact

2. Long-Term Career Impact

  • Applications must demonstrate “how this support will help you grow your music career and income” over the long term, not just short-term benefit
  • Clear connection between funding and sustainable career development

3. Consistent Track Record

  • Evidence of “consistent dedication to your music over time”
  • Professional music history demonstrating commitment and progression

4. Individual Focus

  • Applications should focus on individual career goals and history, not group achievements
  • Personal career objectives must be clearly articulated

5. Clarity and Specificity

  • “Simpler applications can be more easily assessed” - apply only for costs needed right now
  • Very specific, career-focused objectives preferred

Examples of Funded Projects

Peter Whittingham Jazz Award Recipients:

  • Ferg's Imaginary Big Band (2023): Used £5,000 to record and promote new album, aiming to increase venue capacity from 300 to 600
  • Olivia Cuttill (2024): Recorded debut EP "I've Won The Lottery" showcasing jazz/blues blend, received business advice for London tours
  • Tom Ridout Quintet (2021): Funded professional promotional package including video content, photography, and website
  • Olivia Murphy (2021): Created Jazz Orchestra, performed at Birmingham Symphony Hall with video recording

Direct Advice from Help Musicians

From Application Guidance:

  • “You should be able to tell us your music career goals and how our support will help you achieve them”
  • "Focus on your own music history and goals and not your group's history and goals"
  • “Demonstrate consistent dedication to your music career over time”
  • Priority given to applications showing both urgency and long-term strategic value

Standing Out

  • Book Pre-Application Support: Utilize free 1:1 sessions to refine your approach
  • Be Strategic: Connect funding request directly to measurable career advancement
  • Show Momentum: Demonstrate existing traction and how funding accelerates progress
  • Provide Evidence: Strong applications include clear track record of professional music work
  • Focus on Impact: Articulate how support creates sustainable income growth, not just one-off opportunities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • High Competition: With only 20% success rate, applications must demonstrate exceptional timing, urgency, and long-term impact to succeed in highly competitive selection process
  • Financial Eligibility is Strict: Must earn 40%+ income from music, have under £10,000 savings, and meet household income thresholds - ensure clients qualify before investing time in applications
  • Timing is Critical: Help Musicians prioritizes “pivotal moments” over routine opportunities - frame support as time-sensitive career advancement, not general development
  • Individual Over Collective: Applications must focus on individual musician's career goals and history, not band/group achievements, even when applying for collaborative projects
  • Pre-Application Support is Valuable: Free 1:1 calls with Help Musicians staff can significantly strengthen applications - always recommend clients book these sessions
  • Long-Term Career Vision Essential: Successfully funded applications clearly articulate how support grows sustainable music income over time, not just immediate project completion
  • Be Aware of Exclusions: Cannot fund ongoing overheads, general living costs, activities within 12 weeks (Next Level), or musicians already receiving Help Musicians career support

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References