Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund (dance Professionals Fund)
Charity Number: 207477
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £622,054 (2021 financial year)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Approximately 2 months
- Grant Range: Varies by grant type (specific amounts not published)
- Geographic Focus: UK-wide
- Application Method: Rolling basis via online application form
Contact Details
Address:
Dance Professionals Fund
The Dance Space
2 Market Square
Circus Street
Brighton
BN2 9AS
Website: www.dancefund.org.uk
Email: Via online contact form
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am - 5:30pm
Response Time: Aim to respond to enquiries within 7 days
Overview
Founded in 1936 as the Vic Wells Ballet Fund, the Dance Professionals Fund is the working name of the Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund (Charity No. 207477), established by Dame Ninette de Valois, Arnold Haskell, and Sir Donald Albery. The charity has evolved from supporting a single ballet company to becoming the UK's leading charity offering financial assistance to dance professionals during their careers and into retirement. The organization merged with the Dance Teachers Benevolent Fund in 2016, expanding its reach across the dance sector. With over 85 years of history, the Fund provides confidential financial support and advice to ballet dancers, contemporary dancers, choreographers, and dance teachers experiencing hardship, illness, injury, or career transition. The charity has supported hundreds of dance professionals through cost-of-living grants, medical support, crisis funding, and retraining assistance.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The Fund operates a rolling application system with grants approved approximately every 2 months:
- Living Costs Grants: Time-limited support for bill payments during income loss periods
- Crisis Support: One-off grants for essential household items and unexpected difficulties
- Medical Costs: Financial support for rehabilitation costs including physiotherapy and counseling to enable return to work
- Retirement Assistance: Support for former dance professionals in financial hardship
- Professional Development/Retraining Bursaries: Assistance for dancers transitioning from dance to another career, including travel costs
Application Method: Rolling basis via online application form through their website
Priority Areas
- Professional ballet dancers (including members and former members of Royal Ballet Companies and other established dance companies)
- Contemporary dancers
- Choreographers and choreologists
- Dance teachers from recognized examining bodies
- Support for injury rehabilitation and return to work
- Career transition and retraining assistance
- Emergency crisis support
What They Don't Fund
- Current dance students not yet in a professional dance career
- Funding for artistic work, productions, or research and development
- Therapeutic arts or school movement teachers
- Business costs, debt repayments, or loans
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Governance and Leadership
Patron:
- Dame Monica Mason DBE
Board of Trustees:
- Kate Coyne - Chair (Artistic Director and Professional Training Lead at Central School of Ballet, retired dancer who worked with Michael Clark Company)
- Lynn Chandler - Vice Chair
- Amanda Britton - Trustee
- Elena Dalrymple - Trustee
- Paul Liburd MBE - Trustee
- Paul Mitchell - Trustee
- Samira Saidi - Trustee
- Sarah Clarke - Trustee
- Sarah Pearce - Trustee
The trustees bring a wide span of knowledge about the dance industry and the requirements of dance professionals.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
- CV demonstrating professional dance career (minimum 3 years in UK dance)
- Recent bank statement
- Evidence of state benefits (if applicable)
- Specific documentation based on grant type (medical reports, training course details, etc.)
Contact for Support: Use the online contact form or reach out during office hours (Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5:30pm)
Decision Timeline
- Applications are reviewed by a committee approximately every 2 months
- Committee reviews applications anonymously (does not know applicant's identity)
- The Fund aims to respond within 2 months of application submission
- Grants are typically paid directly to bank account or third-party provider
Success Rates
Success rates are not publicly available. Each application is assessed on an individual, case-by-case basis against guidelines agreed by the Trustees.
Reapplication Policy
Applicants who have previously received support can reapply. When reapplying, applicants should demonstrate steps taken to improve their situation since the previous grant.
Application Success Factors
Eligibility Requirements:
- Minimum 3 years as a professional dancer in the UK
- Must be a current or former professional in ballet, contemporary dance, choreography, or recognized dance teaching
- Must be receiving all entitled state benefits
- Savings under £16,000
- No significant alternative means of support
Documentation is Critical:
- Provide comprehensive evidence of professional dance career through detailed CV
- Include clear financial documentation showing income, expenditure, and need
- For medical grants, include appropriate medical reports or evidence
- For retraining, provide course details and costings
Application Tips:
- Read guidelines thoroughly before applying
- Be prepared to explain specific needs clearly
- Demonstrate genuine hardship or need for support
- Show how the grant will make a tangible difference
- All applications are treated in strictest confidence
- Friends or colleagues can make confidential approaches on behalf of potential applicants
What They Value:
- Genuine financial hardship among professional dance community
- Clear demonstration of professional dance career
- Evidence of taking steps to access state benefits and other support
- Realistic plans for how funding will be used
Testimonial from Beneficiary:
“Thank you for your support! As the primary caregiver of a child without family assistance, I often feel unseen and unsupported. I greatly appreciate your help!” - Marie-Astrid Mence
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Demonstrate Professional Standing: You must have a minimum 3 years professional experience in UK dance - provide comprehensive CV evidence
- Complete Financial Picture Required: Ensure you're receiving all entitled state benefits and have savings under £16,000 before applying
- Rolling Applications with 2-Month Turnaround: Applications reviewed approximately every 2 months, so plan ahead for time-sensitive needs
- Individual Assessment: Each application is judged on its own merits against trustee-agreed guidelines - there's no standard grant amount
- Confidentiality Assured: The review committee doesn't know applicant identities, and all applications are handled confidentially
- Broad Dance Sector Coverage: Following the 2016 merger with Dance Teachers Benevolent Fund, the charity supports the full spectrum of professional dance, not just ballet
- Crisis and Long-term Support Available: The Fund provides both emergency one-off grants and time-limited ongoing support for living costs
Similar Funders
These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:
- DANCERS' CAREER DEVELOPMENT
- The Abderrahim-Crickmay Charitable Settlement
- The Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund
- The Fenton Arts Trust
- EQUITY CHARITABLE TRUST
- The Golsoncott Foundation
- Maria Bjornson Memorial Fund
- P F Charitable Trust
- Grand Order of Water Rats Charities Fund
- The Fidelio Charitable Trust
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References
- Dance Professionals Fund official website: www.dancefund.org.uk
- Dance Professionals Fund Grants page: https://www.dancefund.org.uk/grants/
- Dance Professionals Fund Who We Help page: https://www.dancefund.org.uk/who-we-help/
- Dance Professionals Fund Trustees page: https://www.dancefund.org.uk/about-us/trustees/
- Dance Professionals Fund History page: https://www.dancefund.org.uk/about-us/our-history/
- Dance Professionals Fund Contact page: https://www.dancefund.org.uk/contact-us/
- Dance Professionals Fund FAQ: https://dancepro.hdk.digital/frequently-asked-questions/
- UK Charity Commission Register: Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund (207477) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/207477
- Turn2us: Dance charities merge - https://www.turn2us.org.uk/about-us/news-and-media/latest-news/dance-charities-merge
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund (dance Professionals Fund) fund?
Grant Programs The Fund operates a rolling application system with grants approved approximately every 2 months: Living Costs Grants: Time-limited support for bill payments during income loss periods
How much funding does Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund (dance Professionals Fund) provide?
Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund (dance Professionals Fund) provides grants ranging from Varies by grant type (specific amounts not published), with total annual giving of approximately £622,054 (2021 financial year).
How do I contact Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund (dance Professionals Fund)?
Address: Dance Professionals Fund The Dance Space 2 Market Square Circus Street Brighton BN2 9AS Website: www. dancefund.
Is Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund (dance Professionals Fund) a registered charity?
Yes, Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund (dance Professionals Fund) is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 207477). They primarily serve organisations in Scotland, Throughout England And Wales.
How do I apply to Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund (dance Professionals Fund)?
How to Apply Read Eligibility Requirements: Carefully review the "Who We Help" section on the website Complete Application Form: Submit online application form through the website Provide Documentation: Applications require: - CV demonstrating professional dance career (minimum 3 years in UK dance) - Recent bank statement - Evidence of state benefits (if applicable) - Specific documentation based on grant type (medical reports, training course details, etc. ) Contact for Support: Use the online contact form or reach out during office hours (Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5:30pm) Decision Timeline Applications are reviewed by a committee approximately every 2 months Committee reviews applications anonymously (does not know applicant's identity) The Fund aims to respond within 2 months of application submission Grants are typically paid directly to bank account or third-party provider Success Rates Success rates are not publicly available. Each application is assessed on an individual, case-by-case basis against guidelines agreed by the Trustees.
Where is Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund (dance Professionals Fund) based?
They fund organisations in Scotland, Throughout England And Wales.