Maecenas

Maecenas (charity number 1132363), a grant-making foundation in England and Wales governed by trustees Simon Patrick Weil and Jonathan Francis Weil, advances public education in arts, culture, and heritage through a traditional patronage model inspired by the Roman patron Gaius Maecenas. Established to foster access, understanding, and engagement with high-quality artistic works for broad public benefit, it emphasizes excellence, sustainability, and cultural legacy, supporting established institutions rather than direct projects or grassroots efforts.

It prioritizes high-quality visual and performing arts, cultural heritage preservation, and innovative arts education, funding core costs for orchestras, museums, and dance trusts like the London Contemporary Dance Trust, as well as special projects enhancing access or safeguarding collections. Beneficiaries are typically medium-to-large UK-registered charities with strong governance, sectoral expertise, and reputational standing, focused primarily in England—especially Greater London and major regional arts centers—with some national reach.

Grants range from £5,000 to £50,000 (most £10,000–£25,000) and are awarded ad hoc via an invitation-only process; unsolicited applications are not accepted, with trustees selecting grantees based on track record and alignment. There are no deadlines, public forms, or fixed meeting schedules.

Maecenas stands out for its targeted, low-profile support of elite cultural organizations, excluding individuals, startups, political or religious activities, and direct community interventions, distinguishing it from broader or issue-driven arts funders.