Finzi Trust — General Fund (deadlines 1 Feb / 1 Sep)

The Finzi Trust''s General Fund hands out modest grants of up to £500 toward music projects of almost any kind, from a single performance to professional training, open to both individuals and organisations whose work fits the Trust''s charitable aims. It isn''t for full-time education or postgraduate study, and it won''t reimburse costs you''ve already paid — the money has to go toward something still ahead of you, and has to be spent within six months of receiving it. This is deliberately the smaller of the Trust''s two schemes: its sister fund for musicians 25 and under hands out individual grants up to £7,000, while the General Fund''s whole yearly pot is only around £5,000. Decisions come twice a year, from applications received by 1 February or 1 September, with most applicants hearing back within about two months; the Trustees don''t give feedback and their decisions are final. Individual applicants need two references who aren''t family and have no financial stake in the outcome — your teacher, if the request involves tuition, otherwise someone who knows your musical ability, plus a second referee of two years'' standing or longer, ideally your employer. Organisations are asked instead for evidence of their track record and, where they work with young or vulnerable people, their safeguarding policy. Successful applicants are expected to credit the Trust publicly and send a short final report once the project is done.