The Cecchetti Society Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £69,520 (2022/23)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: Up to £1,000 (Small Grants); £1,000+ (General Grants); £2,000 (Major Scholarships)
• Geographic Focus: UK national, with international competition support

Contact Details

• Website: www.cecchettisocietytrust.org
• Email: admin@cecchettisocietytrust.org
• Chair Contact: chair@cecchettisocietytrust.org (Elisabeth Swan)
• Phone: 01245 267314
• Charity Number: 1197857 (formerly 275548)

Overview

The Cecchetti Society Trust was established in 1978 as a registered charity following the death of dance historian Cyril Beaumont in 1976. The Trust became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 1 July 2022. With an annual income of £124,013 and expenditure of £69,520 (year ending 31 August 2023), the Trust's mission is “the advancement of the education of the public in the art of classical ballet and in particular that art as perpetuated by the Cecchetti Method.” The Trust manages invested funds carefully while supporting annual commitments and special projects, grateful for donor support passionate about preserving and promoting the Cecchetti Method of classical ballet training created by Maestro Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants (up to £1,000)

• Annual deadline: 15th June (for following academic year September-August)
• Intended for local/regional events and activities including:
• Local/regional Cecchetti dance competitions
• Short local/regional Cecchetti courses
• Lecture demonstrations with professional artists

General Grants (over £1,000)

• Annual deadline: 15th June (for following academic year September-August)
• For larger-scale events, activities or projects including:
• National/international dance competitions
• Extended Cecchetti courses
• Professional lecture demonstrations
• Training programs for young dancers
• Production of Cecchetti training resources
• Can be individual, block, or multi-year awards towards specific costs

Vocational Awards and Scholarships (£2,000)

• Fewster Cecchetti Scholarship: £2,000 winner's prize, £600 runner-up
• Barbara Geoghegan Award: £2,000 winner's prize, £700 runner-up
• Cyril Beaumont Scholarship: £2,000 winner's prize
• Promising Student Awards: £250 each
• Annual competition typically held in November/December

Teacher Study Bursaries

• Amounts not specified
• For individual teacher professional development

Student Summer Study Bursaries

• For attendance at Cecchetti Summer Schools and courses
• Including those organised by Cecchetti Society Classical Ballet Faculty, ISTD

Cecchetti Scholars Programme

• Full-cost tuition scholarships for one year
• Based at Arts Educational Schools, Chiswick, London
• Entry by audition

Priority Areas

The Trust supports projects that:

• Extend opportunities for Cecchetti teachers and their pupils beyond individual schools
• Promote the Cecchetti Method of classical ballet training
• Encourage collaborative working in Cecchetti education
• Provide performance and training opportunities for young dancers
• Support international representation at Cecchetti competitions
• Produce educational resources for Cecchetti training

What They Don't Fund

• Individual study for Cecchetti Teachers or Students (separate bursary programs exist for this)
• Projects that do not align with promoting classical ballet and the Cecchetti Method
• Activities that do not extend opportunities beyond a single school/teacher/student

Ready to write a winning application for The Cecchetti Society Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed to honour the Trust's charitable objective. The charity operates with 8 trustees and 10 volunteers.

Chair: Elisabeth Swan (email: chair@cecchettisocietytrust.org)

The Trust is committed to public benefit principles and careful management of invested funds and fundraising activities. According to their governance documentation, the Board is “responsible for financial management” and “committed to public benefit principles.”

The Trust welcomes donations to sustain support and meet expanding interests, grateful for support from those passionate about classical ballet.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Small and General Grants:

• Download application forms (available in Word and PDF formats) from www.cecchettisocietytrust.org/grants
• Separate forms for Small Grants and General Grants
• Review Terms & Conditions document carefully before applying
• Submit by 15th June annually for funding period 1st September - 31st August
• Send completed applications to admin@cecchettisocietytrust.org

Scholarships and Awards:

• Applications vary by program
• Vocational awards typically require audition/performance assessment
• Contact admin@cecchettisocietytrust.org for specific program details

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified. Given the mid-June deadline for an academic year starting September 1st, applicants can expect decisions during the summer period (likely July-August).

Success Rates

Success rates and application numbers are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is stated. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Trust directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Trust Objectives

Applications are judged on individual merits with primary focus on alignment with the Trust's charitable objective: “encouraging, supporting and promoting participation in Cecchetti classical ballet.”

Strong Applications Should:

• Clearly demonstrate how the project extends opportunities for Cecchetti learners beyond individual contexts
• Show collaborative approaches that benefit multiple teachers, students, or organisations
• Align specifically with the Cecchetti Method (not general ballet training)
• Provide clear project plans with specific costs and outcomes
• Demonstrate reach and impact for the Cecchetti community

Examples of Funded Projects (2022/23):

• From Studio to Stage 2023: Major showcase event at The Royal Ballet School, Covent Garden (14th May 2023), featuring Trust Patron Dame Monica Mason, Laura Morera (Principal, The Royal Ballet), and young dancers including Cecchetti Classical Ballet Scholars
• International Competition Support: Bursaries for students representing ISTD Cecchetti Classical Ballet Faculty at Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Competition in Michigan, USA
• Teachers Study Bursaries: 13 recipients in 2022/23
• Student Summer Study Bursaries: 4 recipients in 2022/23

Tips for Success:

• Use language that emphasizes the Cecchetti Method specifically
• Demonstrate understanding of the Trust's history and commitment to Maestro Enrico Cecchetti's legacy
• Show how the project benefits the broader Cecchetti community, not just individual gain
• For larger grants, consider multi-year or block funding approaches for substantial projects
• Contact admin@cecchettisocietytrust.org if unsure about eligibility to avoid wasting time

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Niche Focus: This is a highly specialized funder focused exclusively on the Cecchetti Method of classical ballet - applications must demonstrate clear alignment with this specific training approach
• Community Benefit: Projects must extend beyond individual benefit to serve the broader Cecchetti teaching and learning community
• Annual Cycle: Single annual deadline (15th June) requires advance planning for September start dates
• Tiered Approach: Clear distinction between Small (up to £1,000) and General (£1,000+) grants allows applicants to match request to project scale
• Separate Streams: Individual study needs are served by specific bursary programs, not the general grant funds - apply to the correct program
• Heritage and Legacy: The Trust values preserving and promoting the Cecchetti Method's heritage, established by Cyril Beaumont's bequest
• Pre-Application Contact Welcome: The Trust encourages contact via admin@cecchettisocietytrust.org to check eligibility and suitability before applying

References

• Cecchetti Society Trust Official Website - Grants Page: https://www.cecchettisocietytrust.org/grants
• Cecchetti Society Trust Official Website - Governance: https://www.cecchettisocietytrust.org/governance
• Cecchetti Society Trust Official Website - Trust History: https://www.cecchettisocietytrust.org/trusthistory
• Cecchetti Society Trust - Trust Support 2022/23: https://www.cecchettisocietytrust.org/trust-support-2022/23
• Charity Commission Register - The Cecchetti Society Trust (1197857): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/5187094/full-print
• Charity Commission Register - The Cecchetti Society Trust (275548): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/275548