Albert and Eugenie Frost Music Trust CIO

The Albert and Eugenie Frost Music Trust CIO, originally established in 1994 and converted to CIO status in 2022, is a specialist grant-making charity founded in memory of Albert and Eugenie Frost to nurture the musical development of young string players—violin, viola, and cello—in the UK, with a strong emphasis on chamber music and ensemble repertoire. Guided by trustees including music experts like Dr David Waterman and Lesley Hatfield, the trust adopts a proactive, relational approach, identifying and inviting aligned partners rather than accepting unsolicited applications, reflecting its values of artistic excellence, progression, and sustaining high-level chamber music traditions through targeted, long-term support.

It funds education and training initiatives exclusively in the arts, prioritizing chamber music activities, career development, masterclasses, performance opportunities, and awards for promising young musicians, typically children and young adults. Recent grants have supported conservatoires like the Guildhall School of Music & Drama for student chamber group awards, the Royal Philharmonic Society's Frost Prize for ensembles such as the Echéa Quartet and Ruisi Quartet, and youth ensembles across England, Wales, and Scotland, enhancing access to elite training and professional exposure.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities or academic institutions operating UK-wide, with no specified income thresholds, though grants go to both small groups and larger institutions. Typical awards range from £10,000 to £50,000, occasionally larger or multi-year, decided adhoc by trustees at regular but unpublished meetings—no public deadlines or application forms exist, as only invited organizations apply. The trust excludes core costs, capital projects, and emergency relief, distinguishing itself as a niche funder laser-focused on emerging string chamber musicians, setting it apart from broader arts supporters.