The Idlewild Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £194,185 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 4 months (February deadline → June decision; September deadline → December decision)
• Grant Range: £1,249 - £7,000
• Average Grant: £4,736
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide
• Number of Grants: 41 grants awarded in 2023

Contact Details

Website: www.idlewildtrust.org.uk

Email: info@idlewildtrust.org.uk

Phone: 020 3909 0406

Overview

The Idlewild Trust was established in 1974 from property sale proceeds owned by Peter Minet, a successful Lloyd's underwriter and Huguenot Society president, who came from a Huguenot family tracing ancestry to Isaac Minet who fled France in 1685. This independent grant-making trust (registered charity 268124) supports UK registered charities concerned with the encouragement of performing and fine arts and crafts, the advancement of education within the arts, and the preservation of lands, buildings, and objects of beauty or historic interest. In 2023, the Trust awarded 41 grants totalling £194,185, with an average grant of £4,736. The Trust recently increased its maximum grant from £5,000 to £7,000. Led by Chair Nancy Bell, a Plowden Medal recipient with over 20 years' heritage sector experience, the Trust is overseen by a Board of Trustees including experts from museums, opera, journalism, law, and education sectors.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Arts: Nurturing Early-Stage Professionals (£7,000 maximum)

• Supports training opportunities for emerging professionals (18+) working creatively and backstage in performing and visual arts
• Post-training, early-career focus
• Benefits musicians, dancers, actors, writers, artists, composers, curators, and theatre-makers
• Application method: Online portal with biannual fixed deadlines

2. Conservation: Objects and Works of Art (£7,000 maximum)

• Supports conservation of cultural heritage of recognized national and international importance
• Covers museums, libraries, galleries, historic buildings, or landscapes accessible to the public
• Includes artefacts, textiles, furniture, metalwork, manuscripts, and wall paintings
• Application method: Online portal with biannual fixed deadlines

Multi-Year Awards: £21,000 over 3 years (invitation only)

Priority Areas

Arts Programme Priorities:

• High-level training for early-career participants
• Meaningful performance opportunities
• Professional development and employability enhancement
• Artistic, professional, and personal skills development
• Programs that build work ethic and professional stamina

Conservation Programme Priorities:

• Projects with knowledge sharing elements as outcomes
• Public engagement activities improving understanding of conservation practice
• Collaborative interdisciplinary projects
• Conservation by accredited conservators
• Objects of national or international importance

What They Don't Fund

• Places of worship (even if UK Registered Charities)
• Programs for children under 18
• University or college degree programs
• Capital projects including extensions and new facilities
• Overseas tours or residential programs abroad
• Arts management programs
• Programs benefiting only one person
• Social enterprises or Community Interest Companies
• Charities that have not submitted at least two Annual Returns to the Charity Commission
• Projects that have already been completed

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Nancy Bell (joined November 2021, confirmed as Chair May 2022)

• Heritage sector professional with 20+ years' experience in archives, libraries, and museums
• Works with The National Trust
• Plowden Medal recipient (2015)
• Stated belief: “Arts and heritage can change lives and build communities”

Board of Trustees:

• James Brooke Turner: Investment professional at Nuffield Foundation; studied art history and medieval culture
• Serena Davies: Arts editor and journalist; Director of Culture at Telegraph; previously at Glyndebourne Opera House
• Dr. Tessa Murdoch: Curator at Victoria and Albert Museum with 40 years' museum experience; Fellow of Society of Antiquaries
• Rachael Williams: CEO of Streetwise Opera; Trustee of National Centre for Circus Arts
• Robert Gowing: Legal partner at Eversheds Sutherland; background in architecture and conservation; previously at English Heritage
• Matthew Hargreaves: Head of Scholarships at Drake Calleja Trust; Head of Singing at Westminster School; professional opera singer

Director: Gail Devlin-Jones (joined June 2022)

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust accepts only online applications through two separate grant application portals:

1. Arts grants portal
2. Conservation grants portal

Both available at: www.idlewildtrust.org.uk/apply-grant

Before Applying:

• Download and review the Funding Guidelines document
• Read the FAQs thoroughly
• Review application questions in advance
• Ensure your charity has submitted at least two Annual Returns to the Charity Commission

Conservation Applications Must Include:

• Treatment proposal from an accredited conservator

Decision Timeline

The Trust operates two funding rounds per year:

Round 1:

• Applications open: Early June
• Deadline: Mid-September (typically September 5) at midday
• Decision notification: Early December (within 7 days of final decision date)
• Timeline: ~4 months from deadline to decision

Round 2:

• Applications open: Early December
• Deadline: Mid-February (typically February 13-14) at midday
• Decision notification: Early June (within 7 days of final decision date)
• Timeline: ~4 months from deadline to decision

Notification Method: Automatic email confirmation upon submission; decision notification via email within 7 days of final decision date

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. In 2023, the Trust awarded 41 grants from all applications received across both rounds.

Reapplication Policy

• After unsuccessful application: Must wait 1 year before reapplying
• After receiving a grant: Cannot apply for 24 months from the date of the last award
• Cannot reapply if previously funded within the 24-month restriction period

Application Success Factors

What the Trust Evaluates

The Trust assesses applications based on:

• Quality and clarity of submission
• Leadership, vision, and track record of the organisation
• Appropriateness and transparency of budget
• Potential impact on beneficiaries or public engagement
• Opportunities for performance, professional development, and learning outcomes (Arts)
• Knowledge sharing and public engagement elements (Conservation)

Funder-Specific Guidance

For Arts Applications:

• “Priority will be given to applications where the programmes provide an opportunity or opportunities for meaningful performance”
• Focus on how the project supports early-career development
• Demonstrate how the program builds employability and professional skills
• Scottish Opera's General Director Alex Reedijk noted: “Support from Idlewild Trust enables us to timetable masterclasses for the singers”

For Conservation Applications:

• “Priority will be given to applications that include a knowledge sharing element as an outcome of the project”
• “A public engagement activity that helps to improve the public understanding of conservation practice is encouraged”
• Must include independent conservation report from accredited conservator
• Glencoe Folk Museum stated their grant “saved this beautiful painting” and helped them learn “about conservation techniques and ideal storage/display conditions”

Project Examples That Succeeded

Arts Grants:

• Scottish Opera Emerging Artists Programme: Received £3,000 in 2013 and 2016; supported 20 singers over 8 years; all graduated artists secured employment contracts
• Longborough Festival Opera: Funded production of “The Fairy Queen” (2023)
• Northern Ballet: Supported early-career ballet dancers

Conservation Grants:

• Glencoe Folk Museum: £1,249 (2022) for conservation of Horatio McCulloch oil painting “Glencoe”; prevented deterioration and enabled public display
• Huguenot Museum: Portrait conservation project
• Old Royal Naval College: Conservation work
• Ashmolean Museum: Limewood frame conservation

Application Tips

• Prefer projects not yet started: Applications for already-completed projects are not considered
• Clear budgets and timelines essential: Demonstrate transparency and appropriateness
• Demonstrate impact: Show how the project will affect beneficiaries or public engagement
• Review guidelines thoroughly: The Trust provides detailed Funding Guidelines and encourages reviewing questions before starting
• Contact for advice: Email info@idlewildtrust.org.uk with questions before applying

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Timing matters: With only two deadlines per year and 4-month decision timelines, plan applications well in advance; note the 24-month restriction between grants
• Average grant is £4,736: While maximum is £7,000, most grants are lower; budget realistically
• Performance and engagement are critical: For Arts, emphasize meaningful performance opportunities; for Conservation, prioritize knowledge sharing and public engagement
• Early-career focus: Arts program specifically targets post-training, early-stage professionals—not students or established artists
• Conservation requires professional credentials: Must include treatment proposal from accredited conservator
• Strong organizational track record matters: The Trust evaluates leadership, vision, and organizational history
• Huguenot heritage connection: Founded from Huguenot family legacy; projects with cultural heritage preservation themes align with founding mission
• Quality over quantity: With only 41 grants awarded in 2023, applications must demonstrate exceptional clarity, impact, and alignment with priorities

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Arts Council of England
• The Thistle Trust
• National Lottery Heritage Fund
• The Garrick Charitable Trust
• VAUGHAN WILLIAMS FOUNDATION
• The London Community Foundation
• THE CHILDHOOD TRUST
• The National Churches Trust
• The Kirby Laing Foundation
• The Chalk Cliff Trust
• JOHN LYON'S CHARITY
• Esm??e Fairbairn Foundation
• The Reed Foundation
• John Ellerman Foundation
• THE BOLTINI TRUST
• National Lottery
• THE NATIONAL MANUSCRIPTS CONSERVATION TRUST
• THE FENTON ARTS TRUST
• THE WINGATE FOUNDATION
• THE FOYLE FOUNDATION

References

1. The Idlewild Trust official website - www.idlewildtrust.org.uk
2. The Idlewild Trust - Apply for a grant page - https://www.idlewildtrust.org.uk/apply-grant
3. The Idlewild Trust - FAQs - https://www.idlewildtrust.org.uk/apply-grant/faqs
4. The Idlewild Trust - About Us - https://www.idlewildtrust.org.uk/about-us
5. The Idlewild Trust - Trustees and Staff - https://www.idlewildtrust.org.uk/about-us/trustees-and-staff
6. The Idlewild Trust - History - https://www.idlewildtrust.org.uk/about-us/history
7. The Idlewild Trust - Our Programmes - https://www.idlewildtrust.org.uk/our-programmes
8. The Idlewild Trust - Case Studies - https://www.idlewildtrust.org.uk/what-we-fund/case-studies
9. The Idlewild Trust - Scottish Opera Case Study - https://www.idlewildtrust.org.uk/what-we-fund/case-studies/scottish-opera
10. The Idlewild Trust - Glencoe Folk Museum Case Study - https://www.idlewildtrust.org.uk/what-we-fund/case-studies/glencoe-folk-museum
11. UK Charity Commission Register - The Idlewild Trust (268124) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=268124
12. Funding Scotland - Idlewild Trust - https://funding.scot/funds/a0Rb0000003ii9tEAA/idlewild-trust
13. Nancy Bell quote: “Arts and heritage can change lives and build communities” - from Trustees and Staff page
14. Alex Reedijk, General Director, Scottish Opera quote: “Support from Idlewild Trust enables us to timetable masterclasses for the singers” - from Scottish Opera case study
15. Glencoe Folk Museum quote: “It is no exaggeration to say that this project has saved this beautiful painting” - from Glencoe Folk Museum case study