Leche Trust
About This Funder
The Leche Trust, an independent UK grant-making charity founded in 1950 by Angus Acworth CBE, champions professional excellence in performing arts and the conservation of pre-1830s heritage, aiming to deliver enduring benefits to UK society by promoting high standards, innovation, and preservation of cultural assets that might otherwise be lost. Rooted in values of artistic and historic excellence, professional development, and broad public access, it prioritises targeted support for new work and early-career artists while favouring discrete conservation projects with long-term impact, distinguishing itself through a specialist focus on quality over scale since its inception.
It funds two core areas: performing arts projects commissioning, developing, or staging new music, theatre, and dance works, plus professional development for artists aged 18+ at career starts; and heritage conservation of pre-Victorian buildings, objects, collections, or landscapes via remedial works, surveys, preventive measures, or acquisitions under expert oversight. Beneficiaries include professional arts companies, ensembles, and heritage organisations, emphasising public reach and UK-wide impact, with examples like medieval church restorations, new compositions for festivals, and emerging playwright premières.
Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, public authorities, or institutions with annual income under £1.5 million, operating UK-wide but encouraged from outside London/South East; individuals, CICs, and amateurs are ineligible. Typical grants range £2,000–£5,000 (average ~£4,000) for specific projects only—no core costs, equipment, or capital builds. Unsolicited applications via online portal (Benefactor Cloud) in three annual rounds, next deadline 26 January 2026 (decisions quarterly); reapply after 2–3 years. Exclusions cover educational/amateur arts, health/welfare, and non-UK/non-professional work, setting it apart as a niche funder for transformative, excellence-driven interventions in arts and heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions about Leche Trust
How much funding does Leche Trust provide?
Leche Trust typically provides grants ranging from £2,000 - £5,000.
Is Leche Trust accepting applications?
Yes, Leche Trust is currently open to applications from eligible charities.
Where does Leche Trust fund charities?
Leche Trust funds charities operating in UK.
How do I apply for funding from Leche Trust?
Use Fundermatcher to check if your charity is a good match for Leche Trust, then access detailed application guidance, deadlines, and eligibility criteria. Our AI assistant can help you draft a compelling application.