Anthem. Music Fund Wales

Anthem. Music Fund Wales, established in 2020 by the Welsh Government and Arts Council of Wales, is a pioneering endowment designed to transform access to music for children and young people aged 3-25 across Wales. Born from recommendations addressing gaps in music services, it removes barriers related to background, ability, income, poverty, social exclusion, or limited industry links, with a core ethos of equity, inclusion, youth voice, and music's role in fostering growth, well-being, self-expression, and life opportunities while nurturing Wales's musical heritage.

The fund prioritises projects by charitable organisations, CICs, and community groups delivering music-making, skills-building, mentoring, and career development for marginalised, disadvantaged, or underrepresented youth. Key initiatives like the Atsain Fund have awarded over £379,000 to 45 organisations, supporting grassroots efforts such as accessible programmes for disabled/d/Deaf young people, youth-led workshops in deprived areas, mental health mentoring, and industry pathways (e.g., ProMo Cymru, North Wales Music Collective CIC, Sound Progression). Emphasis is on evidence-led, collaborative, systemic change in low-access communities, with youth coproduction shaping priorities.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, CICs, and community groups based in Wales, favouring small to medium-sized grassroots entities without strict income limits. Typical project grants range from £2,000 to £20,000 (mostly £5,000-£15,000), covering music activities and some integral core costs but excluding unrestricted or capital funding. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; online forms are used for announced rounds (e.g., Atsain Fund 4 closed March 2024, no current opens—monitor website/mailing list). Distinctively, as Wales's only dedicated youth music access funder, it builds long-term endowments via partnerships, drives sectoral learning, and empowers youth-led impact.