Fidelio Charitable Trust

Fidelio Charitable Trust Grants

Grants of up to £5,000 for exceptionally able individuals (over 21) or groups in the arts, particularly music (including opera, lieder and composition) and theatre, for things like master classes and special tuition, entering competitions, specially arranged performances or a new musical composition. Applications must come from a nominating UK institution, college, arts festival or similar arts organisation with relevant expertise, preferably a registered charity, which vouches for the people it is applying for; artists cannot apply for themselves. The Trust particularly aims to help those at an early stage in their careers who could not do the project without support. Three closing dates a year: 1 February, 1 June and 1 October 2027.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: Up to £5,000
Deadline: 106 days left; 1 February
Effort: Light; short form, little evidence needed

Who can apply

Institutions, colleges, arts festivals or other similar arts organisations in the United Kingdom with recognised relevant expertise, preferably registered charities, applying on behalf of (nominating) individuals over 21 or groups of exceptional ability
The applicant cannot be the individual or group benefiting from the grant
The person representing the nominating organisation must vouch for the competence and skill of the beneficiaries, explain how they were selected and their professional relationship with them, and describe the project and its budget
There is no nationality restriction, but beneficiaries must be based in the UK

What it funds

Support for individuals over 21 or groups of exceptional ability in the arts, particularly music (including opera, lieder and composition) and theatre, for example:

Special tuition or coaching (such as master classes for musicians)
Taking part in external competitions
A specially arranged performance
A musical composition

The Trustees aim to help those who could not carry out a project or activity without financial support, particularly people early in their careers.

Grants are normally no more than £5,000 and for no longer than one year; the Trustees may only part-fund.

The work may take place overseas, but beneficiaries must be based in the UK.

What it will not fund

Applications from people seeking support for themselves
Applications from parents for their school-age children (e.g. course or competition fees)
Capital items
Retrospective expenditure or work already undertaken
Activities for people under 21 (not generally considered)
Grants for longer than one year (not normally)
Beneficiaries not based in the UK

How to apply

Read the guidance on the website (Home, About Us and How to Apply pages); the Trustees will not answer general questions about eligibility
Download the current application form in PDF or Word from the Application Form page (returning applicants must download a new form)
Complete the form as the nominating organisation, giving the beneficiaries, how they were selected, the objectives, the amount (no more than £5,000) with full details of how it will be spent, the grant period and other funding sought
Save the form and any attachments as PDFs named with the nominating organisation's name, and put the same name in the email subject
Email them to admin@fideliocharitabletrust.org.uk (not by post) by 12 noon on a closing date: 1 February, 1 June or 1 October 2027

Closing dates are subject to change, so check the website before submitting.

If you hear nothing within two months of the closing date, assume you were unsuccessful; the Trust does not contact unsuccessful applicants or discuss reasons.

Have ready

Completed Fidelio application form, signed and dated, in PDF
Optional supporting letter, one side of A4 only
Links to websites about the beneficiaries, with excerpts of existing work or past performances where applicable

Previous grant recipients must include a copy of their last grant report.

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