The Mayor Of London's Fund For Young Musicians

Charity Number: 1141216

Annual Expenditure: £0.6M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £640,000 (expenditure 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Applications in November, decision timeline not specified
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £15,000 (scholarships £1,000/year; partnerships up to £15,000; Amplify up to £6,000)
  • Geographic Focus: London (with recent expansion to Liverpool for Amplify)

Contact Details

Website: www.londonmusicfund.org

Email: info@londonmusicfund.org

Phone: 020 7983 4258

Programme-Specific Contacts:

  • Partnerships: kate@londonmusicfund.org
  • Amplify London: AmplifyLDN@londonmusicfund.org

Overview

The London Music Fund (charity no. 1141216) was established in 2011 as an independent charity with the Mayor of London as Patron. Originally known as the Mayor's Music Fund, the organization has invested over £4.5 million in music education across the capital. With annual expenditure of approximately £640,000, the Fund operates three distinct programmes: four-year Scholarships for talented children from low-income families, Partnership grants supporting collaborative projects between Music Hubs and professional organizations, and Amplify London, which supports grassroots music organizations working with young people aged 14-25. Since inception, the Fund has awarded over 907 instrumental scholarships and funded 83 collaborations, reaching more than 13,000 young musicians directly and benefiting nearly 60,000 others through concerts and workshops. In its tenth anniversary year, the Fund won 'Outstanding Musical Initiative' at the Music & Drama Education Awards. The charity employs 3 staff members and works with 13 trustees and 10 volunteers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Scholarships (£1,000 per year, four-year commitment = £4,000 total per child)

  • Four-year music scholarships for primary school children (Year 4+) demonstrating musical talent and commitment
  • Provides weekly one-to-one or small group instrumental instruction, mandatory ensemble participation, performance opportunities, instrument loan, and dedicated mentor
  • Applications submitted exclusively through London's 30 Music Education Hubs (not directly by families)
  • Annual deadline: November
  • Application method: Music Hubs nominate children, typically following recommendations from primary school teachers

Partnerships (up to £15,000 per project)

  • Collaborative projects between London Music Hubs and professional arts organizations
  • Must be led by one London music service with at least one professional partner
  • Projects should address clear gaps in provision and demonstrate lasting legacy
  • Target age range: 7-18 years
  • Next deadline: 5pm, Monday 13th October 2025
  • Application method: Contact kate@londonmusicfund.org for application form and guidelines

Amplify London (up to £6,000 per project)

  • Supports small grassroots organizations (not individuals, schools, Music Hubs, or Arts Council NPOs)
  • Target demographic: young people aged 14-21 (can include up to age 25) facing barriers to music-making
  • Focus on music creation, production, technology, recording, creative careers, and performance
  • Organizations must have UK-registered governing document, minimum one year of operation, accounts, safeguarding policies, and annual turnover of £500,000 or less
  • Five grants awarded per funding round
  • For detailed guidelines: amplifymusic.uk

Priority Areas

  • Children from low-income families with musical potential and commitment
  • Young people from underrepresented backgrounds seeking music industry careers
  • Projects addressing specific gaps in music education provision across London
  • Collaborations involving professional musicians and iconic venues
  • Ensemble-based learning and performance opportunities
  • Music education for young people with SEN/D
  • Diverse musical genres from classical to jazz, carnival percussion to grime

What They Don't Fund

  • Individual applications for scholarships (must come through Music Hubs)
  • Individual young artists through Amplify (organizations only)
  • Schools, Music Education Hubs, or Arts Council National Portfolio Organizations through Amplify
  • Projects outside London (except Amplify Liverpool)
  • Organizations with annual turnover exceeding £500,000 (Amplify programme)
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Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees

Baroness Fleet (Veronica Wadley) co-founded the Mayor's Music Fund, now London Music Fund, in 2011 with Richard Morris. She was appointed to the House of Lords in July 2020, taking the title Baroness Fleet.

Chief Executive

Kate Kelly currently serves as interim Chief Executive following Chrissy Kinsella's departure in 2025. Kinsella had served as CEO since January 2016, with overall responsibility for the strategic, financial, fundraising, musical and educational development of the organization.

Notable Trustees

Richard Morris - Former Chief Executive of ABRSM (1993-2009), co-founder of the London Music Fund

Emma Chamberlain OBE - Barrister and Visiting Professor of Law at Oxford University and LSE

Chi-chi Nwanoku - Founder, Artistic and Executive Director of Chineke!, Europe's first professional orchestra comprising Black and minority ethnic musicians

Roxana - Trustee to the London Music Fund and the Apax Foundation; Non-Executive Director for Genius Sports

Ambassador Quote

Nicola Benedetti CBE, Violinist: “Making music education accessible to all is so important, and I look forward to celebrating more of this fantastic work in future.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Scholarships:

  • Applications are submitted exclusively through London's 30 Music Education Hubs
  • Children are typically nominated by primary school teachers
  • Parents/carers cannot apply directly
  • To find your local Music Hub, visit the Music Mark Members directory or speak with your child's music teacher or headteacher
  • Annual deadline: November

Partnerships:

  • Contact kate@londonmusicfund.org to request application form and guidelines
  • Must demonstrate clear gaps being addressed and lasting legacy
  • Deadline: 5pm, Monday 13th October 2025 (for next funding round)

Amplify London:

  • Visit amplifymusic.uk for detailed funding guidelines and application procedures
  • Expression of interest deadline typically precedes full application deadline

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. Scholarship applications have a November deadline, but notification timeframes are not specified on public materials. Applicants should contact the Fund directly or their Music Hub for specific timeline information.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. Since 2011, the Fund has awarded over 907 scholarships and funded 83 partnership projects, but the total number of applications received is not disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not specified in public materials. Applicants should contact the Fund directly or consult with their Music Hub regarding reapplication procedures for unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

For Scholarships (via Music Hubs):

Eligibility criteria emphasized:

  • Must be in Year 4 or 5 at nomination
  • Attend a fee-free junior school in London
  • Studied a musical instrument for minimum one year
  • Demonstrate “significant musical aptitude on an instrument that can be learned to a high level, taught in a small group and played in an ensemble”
  • Show “commitment and eagerness to continue regular practice and attend lessons, ensemble rehearsals, workshops and performances”
  • Come from families “struggling to meet the costs of being trained as a musician”

What they value:

  • Potential to make substantial progress and benefit from all activities a Scholarship offers
  • Instruments suitable for ensemble playing and high-level achievement
  • Demonstrated commitment, not just talent

For Partnership Projects:

Key success factors:

  • Projects must “tackle a clear gap” in provision
  • Must demonstrate “lasting legacy”
  • Should be “ambitious” and “inspirational”
  • Must involve genuine collaboration with professional partners (at least one required)
  • Emphasis on providing “outstanding opportunities to perform alongside top professional musicians in iconic venues”

Recent successful projects include:

  • Jazz education with Tomorrow's Warriors and Trinity Laban
  • SEN/D ensemble with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performing at Royal Albert Hall
  • Percussion programme with carnival arts organizations
  • Co-creation projects celebrating musical heritage
  • Wind band programmes with professional military musicians

For Amplify London:

What stands out:

  • Organizations supporting young people facing barriers to music-making
  • Focus on music creation, production, technology, and industry pathways
  • Grassroots organizations with turnover under £500,000
  • Projects empowering young artists, performers, producers, and writers aged 14-25

Impact of success:

Three Amplify-funded organisations have since been awarded 'National Portfolio Organisation' status from Arts Council England, demonstrating the programme's ability to support organizational development.

Strategic Alignment:

The Fund emphasizes their vision that “every child demonstrating significant musical ability, enthusiasm, and commitment to learning an instrument receives the opportunity to develop their potential.” Applications demonstrating alignment with this equity-focused mission are more likely to succeed.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Work through the right channels: Scholarship applications MUST come through London Music Hubs—direct family applications are not accepted. Partnership applications must be Hub-led. Only Amplify accepts direct applications from grassroots organizations.
  • Demonstrate clear gaps and legacy: For Partnership grants, articulate specific gaps in provision you're addressing and how the project will have lasting impact beyond the funding period.
  • Emphasize collaboration with professionals: The Fund highly values projects providing young people with opportunities to learn from and perform alongside professional musicians in prestigious venues like the Royal Albert Hall.
  • Focus on barriers and equity: Whether applying for Scholarships, Partnerships, or Amplify, emphasize how you're supporting young people from low-income families or those facing barriers to music education and careers.
  • Show commitment and potential, not just talent: For Scholarships, demonstrate the child's eagerness to practice, attend rehearsals, and participate fully—commitment matters as much as natural ability.
  • Keep organizational size appropriate: For Amplify, ensure your organization meets the “grassroots” criteria with turnover under £500,000 and has been operating for at least one year with proper governance.
  • Plan for November deadlines: Scholarship applications follow an annual November cycle through Music Hubs. Partnership deadlines vary (October 2025 for next round). Plan discussions with Music Hubs well in advance of deadlines.

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