Equity Charitable Trust

Equity Charitable Trust, founded in 1989 by Equity—the trade union for performance professionals—is an independent UK grant-making charity dedicated to providing a safety net and opportunities for professional performers and their dependants facing hardship, career transitions, or sector volatility. Operating autonomously under Charity Commission oversight, it upholds values of inclusivity, dignity, professionalism, and resilience, offering discreet, merit-based support without political advocacy or restrictions based on personal backgrounds. Distinctively, it blends emergency aid, educational advancement, workshops, debt advice, and benefits guidance tailored to the insecure livelihoods of creative practitioners.

The Trust prioritises welfare grants for basic living costs amid illness, income loss, or life challenges; educational grants for retraining, qualifications, or new income streams; and occasional funding for theatre backstage improvements to enhance performer facilities and access. Beneficiaries are UK-resident professionals eligible for Equity membership—including actors, directors, singers, dancers, stage managers, and variety artists—or their dependants, with priority for first-time applicants, those with disabilities, or sudden crises. It primarily supports individuals, but organisations like theatres qualify if demonstrating clear benefits to this community.

Unsolicited applications are welcomed via email with standard forms, CVs, personal statements, and evidence—no preliminary enquiries needed. Welfare grants (up to £2,500 per application, £5,000 total per applicant) are reviewed every two months by the Welfare Committee, with emergency payments possible adhoc; educational grants (need/merit-based) have a next deadline of 3 September 2025, with three annual meetings. UK residency and work entitlement are mandatory; it excludes non-performer-focused work, standing out as the UK's premier funder for performing arts workforce sustainability.