The Earthsong Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £384,905 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £305,945 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (proactive grant-making)
• Grant Range: £4,000 - £680,000+
• Geographic Focus: UK (primarily Bristol and Southwest England) with some international work
• Application Method: Invitation only/trustee discretion

Contact Details

Website: www.earthsongfoundation.com

Email: Info@earthsongfoundation.com

Phone: 0117 925 2020

Charity Number: 1193963

Overview

The Earthsong Foundation was formed in 2019 by Suze and Sebastian Pole (co-founder of Pukka Herbs) and became a registered UK charity in 2021. Prior to registration, the foundation made grants through a donor-advised fund at The Charity Service. With an annual income of approximately £385,000, the foundation focuses on three interconnected areas: music education for children, herbal medicine education and research, and environmental regeneration. The foundation takes a strategic, proactive approach to grant-making, identifying and supporting transformational projects that align with their mission. Their largest initiative is the Earthsong Music Programme in Bristol, which has received over £1.18 million in total funding since 2019, demonstrating their commitment to long-term, substantial partnerships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-identified initiatives rather than formal grant programs:

Music Education

• Bristol Earthsong Programme: £500,000 (2019-2024) + £680,000 (2024-2029) to Bristol Beacon
• Five-year partnerships providing weekly music lessons in Bristol primary schools
• Focus on disadvantaged areas and schools where English is a second language

Herbal Medicine Education

• Herbal Reality: Ongoing funding for free online herbal medicine resource
• Student bursaries: £4,000 per student (paid over 4 years at £1,000/year) at Betonica School of Herbal Medicine
• Support for students at Heartwood Education (amounts not specified)
• One bursary awarded per year through Betonica programme

Environmental Regeneration

• Soil Association: Ongoing support since 2020 for policy and campaigning work
• Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK): Continued support for environmental protection advocacy
• Grant amounts not publicly disclosed for environmental partnerships

Priority Areas

• Music education: Whole-class music education in primary schools, particularly composition and foundational musical skills
• Herbal medicine: Professional training, research, public education, and student financial support
• Environmental regeneration: Regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, sustainable food systems, pesticide reduction

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, so they only fund projects and organizations identified by their trustees. Based on their stated focus areas, they appear to exclude:

• Projects outside music education, herbal medicine, and environmental regeneration
• One-off events or short-term projects (they prefer long-term partnerships)
• Organizations not aligned with their specific strategic priorities

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Suze Pole (Co-founder and Chair): Passionate about music education, Suze's life was “hugely influenced by the musical opportunities she was given as a young person growing up in the state school system in Northumberland.” She states: “Our ambition is to get music education back in the classroom, giving every child the opportunity for life-long participation in music.”

Sebastian Pole (Co-founder): Herbalist and founder of Pukka Herbs, bringing expertise in herbal medicine and social enterprise to the foundation's work.

Rosa Corbishley: Background in cultural leadership and fundraising expertise.

Tad Korbusz: Experience in music and environmental studies.

Philip Raby: Interest in ecosystem restoration and environmental issues.

The foundation operates with five trustees and no employees receiving benefits over £60,000. One or more trustees are directors of the charity's subsidiaries.

Leadership Philosophy

Suze Pole on their music education vision: “Our dream is that we build up a really strong musical community among these children in Bristol so that they can carry their music within them as they move on to secondary school, and into their adult lives.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The trustees take a proactive approach to grant-making and do not accept unsolicited applications for support.

Grants are awarded at the trustees' discretion based on their strategic priorities. The foundation identifies organizations and projects that align with their mission in music education, herbal medicine, and environmental regeneration, and approaches them directly.

The foundation's website states: “If you need to contact us by email, please use the address info@earthsongfoundation.com. We are not able to reply to all emails.”

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, specific opportunities exist for individuals:

Herbal Medicine Students: Students applying to study at Betonica School of Herbal Medicine or Heartwood Education can apply for bursaries through those institutions' application processes. For Betonica, applicants must submit their course application and bursary application on the same day, and eligible applicants are interviewed by a selection committee.

For Organizations: There is no documented process for getting on the trustees' radar. The foundation appears to identify partners through the trustees' existing networks and knowledge of their focus sectors. Given the trustees' backgrounds in herbal medicine (Sebastian Pole/Pukka Herbs), music education (Suze Pole), and environmental work, organizations working in these fields at a high level of impact may naturally come to their attention.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustees' discretion rather than through an application cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this funder operates on an invitation-only basis, there is no application process. However, their funding patterns reveal clear preferences:

Long-term Partnerships: The Bristol Beacon music programme demonstrates their preference for sustained, multi-year commitments. They initially awarded £500,000 for five years (2019-2024), then extended with £680,000 for another five years (2024-2029). Total investment: £1.18 million over a decade.

Measurable Impact: The Bristol programme serves 4,000 children across 11 schools, with documented outcomes including “improved confidence and self-esteem; greater listening skills, attention and engagement in school activity; better mental health and wellbeing; and improved social skills.”

Strategic Alignment: Their environmental grants to the Soil Association and PAN UK focus specifically on “policy and campaigning work” and “supportive legislation” - they fund advocacy and systemic change, not just on-the-ground projects.

Innovation: Bristol Beacon describes their programme as combining “philanthropic funding from the Earthsong Foundation with government investment” - an innovative funding model that leverages public funds.

Access and Equity: The music programme targets “schools that may have limited music provision, particularly in disadvantaged areas or where English is a second language.”

Foundation's Own Words: The foundation describes their approach as supporting “transformation” in their three focus areas and seeking to create “positive change.” This language suggests they seek projects with transformational rather than incremental impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No unsolicited applications accepted - this funder operates entirely on trustee discretion and proactive identification of partners
• Large, long-term grants - their flagship music programme received £1.18 million over 10 years, demonstrating appetite for substantial, sustained funding
• Three clear focus areas only - music education, herbal medicine, and environmental regeneration; projects outside these areas will not be considered
• Founded by social entrepreneurs - Sebastian Pole founded Pukka Herbs; this background suggests they value entrepreneurial approaches and sustainable models
• Bristol/Southwest England connection - while they fund UK and overseas work, their major music programme is Bristol-focused, and they're based in Southwest England
• Individual bursaries available - herbal medicine students can access £4,000 bursaries through partner institutions Betonica and Heartwood Education
• Systemic change focus - environmental grants support policy/campaigning work rather than just direct service delivery

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - The Earthsong Foundation (Charity No. 1193963). Financial information for year ending 31 March 2024. Accessed: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1193963&subId=0

1. Earthsong Foundation website - About Us page. Information on trustees, mission, and history. Accessed: https://earthsongfoundation.com/about-us/

1. Bristol Beacon. “4,000 Bristol primary school pupils to benefit from unique £1 million+ music education programme.” Information on £680,000 grant and programme details. Accessed: https://bristolbeacon.org/blog/earthsong-relaunch/

1. Arts Professional. "Bristol primary pupils to learn composition from 'pioneering' music scheme." Details on music education programme and initial £500,000 funding. Accessed: https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/bristol-primary-pupils-to-learn-composition-from-pioneering-music-scheme

1. Earthsong Foundation website - Herbal Medicine Bursaries. Information on student support at Betonica and Heartwood Education. Accessed: https://earthsongfoundation.com/herbal-medicine/herbal-medicine-bursaries/

1. BETONICA School of Herbal Medicine. “Herbal Reality Bursary.” Details on £4,000 bursary programme funded by Earthsong Foundation. Accessed: https://www.betonica.co.uk/herbal-reality-bursary

1. Earthsong Foundation website - The Soil Association page. Information on support for policy and campaigning work since 2020. Accessed: https://earthsongfoundation.com/nature/the-soil-association/

1. Earthsong Foundation website - Pesticide Action Network UK page. Information on continued support for environmental advocacy. Accessed: https://earthsongfoundation.com/nature/pesticides-action-network-uk/