Ampersand Foundation

Could Ampersand Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Where they fund: United Kingdom
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Two-stage application
Decisions: Once per year

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

Get a draft in 2 minutes · no card

About Ampersand Foundation

The Ampersand Foundation is a UK grant-making trust that supports visual arts projects across the country. It champions curatorial excellence, vision and risk-taking, welcoming bold and unconventional ideas. The Foundation offers several funding programmes: the Ampersand Foundation Award, Annual Grants, and Wigwell Lodge Residencies. Each programme has distinct eligibility and purposes, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to advancing public appreciation of the visual arts through innovative and accessible projects.

What Ampersand Foundation funds

The Foundation funds visual arts projects across the United Kingdom, including exhibitions, artist commissions, public collection enhancement, collection care, and educational projects. Through the Ampersand Foundation Award, it supports curatorial projects that are bold and unconventional, with exhibitions free to the public at least one day per week. Annual Grants support project delivery for visual arts initiatives. The Wigwell Lodge Residencies provide accommodation and living expenses for artists, academics and writers to have space for reflection and production.

Who can apply

The Ampersand Foundation Award is open to curators within Plus Tate member organisations. Annual Grants are available to UK registered charities and charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs), as well as community interest companies (CICs). Individuals are not eligible for Annual Grants but may apply for Wigwell Lodge Residencies, which are for artists, academics and writers. All funded work must take place in the UK.

What Ampersand Foundation doesn't fund

Annual Grants do not support core costs, capital works, or salaries. Individuals are not eligible for this programme. The Ampersand Foundation Award requires that exhibitions and projects are free to the public at least one full day per week.

How they like to fund

The Ampersand Foundation Award is a multi-year grant, with projects delivered over up to three years. Annual Grants are one-off awards for project delivery. The Foundation also provides accommodation and living expenses through Wigwell Lodge Residencies. Unsolicited applications are welcomed.

How much does Ampersand Foundation give?

Ampersand Foundation runs 3 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 37 sourced facts

Annual GrantsCurrently closed

£2,000 – £25,000

1 rounds a year
Single-year grants

The Ampersand Foundation AwardCurrently closed

£150,000 – £150,000

Online application form
Multi-year funding

Wigwell Lodge Residencies

Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.

What Ampersand Foundation funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

Supporting visual arts projects in the UK, including exhibitions, artist commissions, public collection enhancement, collection care, and educational projects.

Where they fund

United Kingdom

Costs they'll cover

Project delivery

They don't fund

Core costsCapital works & buildingsSalariesIndividuals

The full exclusions list (1)

Eligibility limited to curators in Plus Tate member organisations. All exhibitions and projects must be free to the public at least one whole day per week.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Arts & cultureEducation

How to apply to Ampersand Foundation

Ampersand Foundation takes applications via two-stage application.

Published programme route: online application form.
Decisions are typically once per year.
Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

What Ampersand Foundation's application asks

We hold the 8 questions from Ampersand Foundation's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.

Question 1

“Your organisation details”

Question 2

“Project title”

6 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.

How it works

1
Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
2
See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
3
Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if Ampersand Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Ampersand Foundation provide?

Ampersand Foundation runs 3 grant programmes — Annual Grants: £2,000 – £25,000 · The Ampersand Foundation Award: £150,000 – £150,000.

Where does Ampersand Foundation fund charities?

Ampersand Foundation funds charities operating in United Kingdom.

Does Ampersand Foundation accept unsolicited applications?

Ampersand Foundation accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

What does Ampersand Foundation not fund?

Their published exclusions include: Eligibility limited to curators in Plus Tate member organisations. All exhibitions and projects must be free to the public at least one whole day per week.. The full exclusions list is further up this page.

How do I apply for funding from Ampersand Foundation?

Ampersand Foundation takes applications via two-stage application. Published programme route: online application form.