The Hampstead Church Music Trust

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 269427
• Annual Giving: £108,775 (2024)
• Grant Range: Up to £5,000 (single grants), up to £10,000 (multi-year projects)
• Geographic Focus: Hampstead, London (with focus on local churches)
• Application Timing: At least 6 months before funding needed
• Application Method: Grant application form (postal or email)

Contact Details

Address:

The Hon Treasurer

Hampstead Church Music Trust

c/o Hampstead Parish Church

Church Row

London NW3 6UU

Email: hcmt@hampsteadparishchurch.org.uk

Phone: 020 7794 0874

Website: https://hcmt.org.uk/

Overview

The Hampstead Church Music Trust was established by trust deed on 20 April 1975 and registered as a charity on 27 May 1975 (charity number 269427). The Trust exists to maintain and promote the performance and appreciation of church music in Hampstead and in particular at Hampstead Parish Church. With an annual expenditure of £108,775 (2024) and income of £109,498, the Trust operates primarily to support the Anglican choral tradition. The Trust's primary activity historically has been funding the professional choir and service music at Hampstead Parish Church in partnership with the Parochial Church Council. However, the trustees are now in a position to consider making occasional grants to other local churches, organizations, and individuals beyond their primary beneficiary. The long-term aim of the Trust is to build up a capital fund which will provide sufficient income to support musical costs sustainably.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust explicitly states that applications for smaller sums are more likely to succeed, indicating a preference for modest, focused requests rather than large-scale funding appeals.

Grant Amounts:

• Single grants: Up to £5,000
• Multi-year project support: Up to £10,000 (for larger capital campaigns with matched funding)

Application Process:

• Grant Application Form required
• Submit at least 6 months before funding needed
• Detailed cost breakdown required
• Demonstrate community/audience engagement
• Show matched funding for larger requests

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses exclusively on sacred and liturgical music within the Anglican tradition:

Eligible Activities:

• Supporting choirs intending to sing in a church
• Performing music suitable for performance in a church or by a church choir
• Purchasing vocal scores to build up a choral library of sacred music
• Assisting the training of church musicians in Hampstead
• Supporting expenditure on church organs or musical instruments used in worship

Musical Focus:

• Daily Office and Mass settings
• Anglican choral repertoire
• Choral music with or without accompaniment
• Organ or instrumental music within Anglican worship tradition

Beneficiaries:

• Local churches in Hampstead
• Church choirs and musical organizations
• Individual church musicians
• Training programs for church musicians

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Trust's narrow focus on Anglican church music in Hampstead means they are unlikely to fund:

• Secular music projects
• Non-church venues
• General music education outside church context
• Projects outside the Hampstead area
• Non-Anglican denominations (though this is not explicitly stated as an exclusion)

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by 9 trustees who serve on a voluntary basis. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The current board demonstrates strong connections to legal, church, and cultural institutions.

Current Trustees:

• Lord Jonathan Hugh Mance (Chair) - Appointed 10 March 2025. Lord Mance brings significant legal expertise and institutional knowledge to the Trust's leadership.

• Nicholas White - Appointed 23 June 2025

• Helen Taylor - Appointed 23 February 2025. Also serves as trustee of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John-at-Hampstead.

• Nicholas Walser - Appointed 27 February 2024

• Katherine Nicholson - Appointed 27 February 2024

• Rev Carol Barrett Ford - Appointed 21 January 2024. Also serves as trustee of The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust, bringing knowledge of local charitable activity.

• Inigo Rodney Milman Woolf - Appointed 16 July 2018. Serves as trustee of multiple organizations including Joseph Fox, Bishop of London's Fund, Hampstead Churches Youth Committee, St Clement Danes Educational Foundation, The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John-at-Hampstead, The Greig Trust, and The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of The Idle and Sands, Retford. This extensive trustee experience across church and educational charities provides valuable governance insight.

• Maurits Joost Felix Marie Dolmans - Appointed 18 May 2018

• Catherine Frances Helen Spalding CBE FRSL - Appointed 17 July 2017. Her CBE and Fellowship of the Royal Society of Literature indicate recognition in arts and culture.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted using the Trust's Grant Application Form, available on their website at http://hcmt.org.uk/grants.php.

Application Requirements:

1. Completed Grant Application Form
2. Detailed cost breakdown for the project
3. Evidence of high-quality performance potential
4. Demonstration of community and audience engagement
5. For larger grants: evidence of matched funding
6. Clear explanation of how the project aligns with the Trust's focus on sacred/liturgical music

Submission Methods:

• Postal: The Hon Treasurer, Hampstead Church Music Trust, c/o Hampstead Parish Church, Church Row, London NW3 6UU
• Email: hcmt@hampsteadparishchurch.org.uk

Critical Timing Requirement:

Applications must be submitted at least 6 months before the grant is required. This advance notice is essential for trustee consideration and decision-making.

Decision Timeline

The Trust has not published specific information about trustee meeting schedules or decision timelines beyond the requirement for 6-month advance applications. Applicants should factor in this minimum 6-month lead time when planning projects.

Post-Grant Requirements

Successful applicants must:

• Submit a comprehensive report within 6 weeks of project completion
• Assess the success of the event or project
• Provide details about audience reach and publicity
• Account for use of funds

Reapplication Policy

The Trust has not published specific information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants. Given that “the awarding of all grants is at the absolute discretion of the Trustees,” applicants should contact the Trust directly if their initial application is unsuccessful to understand whether and when reapplication would be appropriate.

Application Success Factors

The Trust provides explicit guidance that “applications for smaller sums are more likely to succeed.” This is the most critical factor for applicants to understand.

Key Success Factors:

1. Modest funding requests: Target grants well below the £5,000 maximum. The Trust's clear statement about smaller applications suggests requests in the £1,000-£3,000 range may be optimal.

1. Strong alignment with Anglican tradition: The Trust's focus on “sacred and liturgical music” within Anglican worship is paramount. Projects should demonstrate clear connection to church worship and Anglican musical heritage.

1. Local Hampstead connection: While the Trust can now consider grants beyond Hampstead Parish Church, the geographic focus remains local. Hampstead-based projects or those directly benefiting the Hampstead church music community will be strongest.

1. Advance planning: The 6-month minimum lead time requirement suggests the Trust values well-planned projects rather than emergency funding requests.

1. Matched funding for larger requests: For grants approaching the maximum amounts, evidence of matched funding or co-financing strengthens applications by demonstrating project sustainability and broader support.

1. Clear deliverables: The post-grant reporting requirements (completion report within 6 weeks) suggest the Trust values concrete, measurable outcomes.

1. Quality focus: The requirement to “demonstrate high-quality performance potential” indicates the Trust prioritizes artistic excellence in Anglican church music.

1. Community engagement: Applications should show how the project will engage audiences and the broader church music community.

Important Note:

“The awarding of all grants is at the absolute discretion of the Trustees.” This statement emphasizes that meeting criteria does not guarantee funding, and the Trust maintains full discretion over all grant decisions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Think small: The Trust explicitly states smaller applications are more likely to succeed. Avoid requesting the maximum amount unless absolutely necessary and well-justified.

• Six-month rule is critical: Plan ahead and submit applications at least 6 months before you need the funding. Late applications will not be considered.

• Anglican church music focus is narrow: This Trust supports a very specific niche - sacred and liturgical music within the Anglican tradition. Projects outside this focus will not be funded.

• Hampstead connection strengthens applications: While the Trust can now consider grants beyond Hampstead Parish Church, local connections to the Hampstead church music community will enhance your application.

• Demonstrate matched funding for larger grants: If requesting substantial amounts (£3,000+), show evidence of other funding sources or co-financing to demonstrate project viability.

• Be prepared to report outcomes: The requirement for a comprehensive report within 6 weeks of completion means you need strong project management and evaluation capabilities.

• Trustee discretion is absolute: Meeting all criteria does not guarantee success. The Trust's trustees have complete discretion in grant decisions, so ensure your application makes the strongest possible case for support.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Pallant Charitable Trust
• William Gibbs Religious and Educational Trust
• The Pilling Trust Fund
• Cathedral Music Trust
• HYMNS ANCIENT AND MODERN LIMITED
• The Williams Church Music Trust
• The Ouseley Church Music Trust
• The Ofenheim Charitable Trust
• THE SCOPS ARTS TRUST
• The John and Ruth Howard Charitable Trust

References

1. Hampstead Church Music Trust official website - https://hcmt.org.uk/ (accessed 27 January 2026)

1. Hampstead Church Music Trust Grants page - http://hcmt.org.uk/grants.php (accessed 27 January 2026)

1. Charity Commission Register - The Hampstead Church Music Trust (charity number 269427) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/269427/charity-overview (accessed 27 January 2026)

1. Charity Commission Trustees page - The Hampstead Church Music Trust - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/269427/trustees (accessed 27 January 2026)

1. Hampstead Parish Church - Hampstead Church Music Trust information - https://hampsteadparishchurch.org.uk/music/hcmt/ (accessed 27 January 2026)

1. Giving is Great - The Hampstead Church Music Trust Charity Factsheet - https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=269427 (accessed 27 January 2026)