Hearn Foundation

The Foundation prioritises arts education, creative enrichment, bursaries for individual tuition and classes, capacity-building projects, and infrastructure such as creative hubs. It targets children from the UK's most deprived areas, especially those in Greenwich, Lewisham and Islington. Supported activities include drama curricula, Saturday arts schools, public speaking qualifications, and other interventions that remove cost and postcode barriers. The work is London-centric, benefiting schools, arts organisations and cultural institutions that deliver long-term, scalable impact for disadvantaged young people.

Schools, arts organisations, cultural institutions and academic institutions are eligible, provided they have a proven track record in arts for underserved young people. The Foundation favours medium-to-large organisations capable of sustained delivery, and does not set strict income thresholds or require a particular geographic base, though the focus remains on London. Beneficiaries are children and young people from deprived communities who would otherwise face barriers to arts education.

The Foundation does not fund generalist or non-arts causes. It also excludes projects or organisations that are not focused on arts education for disadvantaged children and young people in London's most deprived communities. Support is not available for work outside the London area or for beneficiaries other than underprivileged youth. Unsolicited applications are not accepted, as funding is directed through invited partnerships only.

Funding is invite-only, with support allocated through trustee outreach; unsolicited applications are not accepted. The Foundation works hands-on with selected partners, building sustained multi-year commitments that often combine project, capital and bursary elements.