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, organisations, 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 Programmes

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
• For larger grants: evidence of matched funding for capital campaigns such as organ restoration or purchase

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses 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

Beneficiaries:

• Local churches in Hampstead
• Church choirs and musical organisations
• Individual church musicians
• Training programmes 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.

Current Trustees:

• Lord Jonathan Hugh Mance (Chair) - Appointed 2025

• Nicholas White - Appointed 2025

• Helen Taylor - Appointed 2025

• Nicholas Walser - Appointed 2024

• Katherine Nicholson - Appointed 2024

• Rev Carol Barrett Ford - Appointed 2024

• Inigo Rodney Milman Woolf - Appointed 2018

• Maurits Joost Felix Marie Dolmans - Appointed 2018

• Catherine Frances Helen Spalding - Appointed 2017

How to Apply to The Hampstead Church Music Trust

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. Clear explanation of how the project aligns with the Trust's focus on sacred/liturgical music
4. For larger grants (particularly capital campaigns such as organ restoration or purchase): evidence of applications to and confirmed support from other sources, as well as evidence of the applicant's ability to provide matched funding from its own resources

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 report on the event/project and on the use and application of the grant within 6 weeks of the conclusion of any event or project supported by a grant from the Trust.

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 capital campaigns such as organ restoration or purchase, applicants must provide evidence of applications to and confirmed support from other sources, as well as evidence of the applicant's ability to provide matched funding from its own resources.

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

Important Note:

“The awarding of all grants is at the absolute discretion of the Trustees.” This statement emphasises 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 capital campaigns: If requesting substantial amounts for projects such as organ restoration or purchase, you must show evidence of other funding sources to demonstrate project viability.

• Be prepared to report outcomes: The requirement for a 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
• The Pilling Trust Fund
• William Gibbs Religious And Educational Trust
• Hymns Ancient And Modern Limited
• The Ofenheim Charitable Trust
• The Ouseley Church Music Trust
• Cathedral Music Trust
• The Scops Arts Trust
• The John And Ruth Howard Charitable Trust
• Congregational And General 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)