The PRS Foundation’s Open Fund for Organisations supports new music projects led by promoters, talent development organisations, venues, festivals, curators and large performance groups.
It is one of a number of programmes provided by the Foundation, which also includes grants for Music Creators, Women Making Music and specific, geographically limited programmes for Wales, Yorkshire and Liverpool. A list of all programmes and their respective deadlines can be found on the Foundation’s website.
Projects submitted under the Open Fund for Organisations programme must involve the creation, performance and promotion of new music and enable songwriters, composers, or solo artists, bands, producers and performers of all backgrounds to develop creatively and professionally.
Support is available to any organisation whose project fits with all three of the following funding priorities:
1. To support the creation, performance and promotion of outstanding new music in any genre. The Foundation is particularly interested in the quality of the music).
2. To enable the UK’s most talented music creators to realise their potential
The Foundation is interested in how a project will develop the songwriters and composers involved. It is committed to supporting UK based songwriters and composers of all backgrounds, and
3. To inspire audiences.
Applicants will be required to outline who their project is reaching and how. This includes audiences at a local, regional, national or international level
The Open Fund is available to any not-for-profit organisation based in the UK with an eligible project.
Grants of up to £10,000 are available. Up to 15% of each application (i.e. up to a maximum of £1,500) can be used to cover administrative costs.
Please note: small bands and musical groups are not considered to be organisations and should apply to the Foundation's Music Creators programme. This is a separate grant programme provided by the PRS Foundation.
Funding is not available for:
o Building a studio.
o Bursaries, tuition/education costs or scholarships.
o Capital projects (for example, building work).
o Companies limited by shares (although considered on a case-by-case basis).
o Composers and songwriters who are members of other performance rights collection societies.
o Core funding.
o Individuals in full-time education, unless an exception is made by the Grants Team.
o International tours/international activity unless part of a majority-UK based project.
o Music creators who do not have a track record of 18 months or more.
o Organisations or projects that have been running for less than 18 months.
o Projects or activities that take place before the grant decision is made.
o Projects raising funds for another charity.
o Projects that contain no element of live performance or creation.
o Projects where the lead composer/songwriter is a member of another Performance Rights Organisation (for example, UK-based music creator must either be a member of PRS or should be in a position to join).
o Purchasing equipment.
o Radio stations and their broadcasting costs.
o Retrospective activities (projects that have already taken place).
o Salaries and living costs.
o Start-up companies or record labels.
o Technology projects (unless they contain a significant aspect of new music creation).
o The purchase of vans and cars.
o Those organisations or individuals who are resident outside of the UK..
o Those without a track record of more than 18 months, or
o Under 18s, unless represented by an adult with a valid DBS check.
Further information, guidance and an online application form can be found on the Foundation’s website.
The deadline for applications is 6pm on Monday 10th July 2023.
