Maria Bjornson Memorial Fund

The Maria Bjornson Memorial Fund, established in 2008 to honor the legacy of acclaimed theatre, ballet, and opera designer Maria Björnson—best known for The Phantom of the Opera—advances education and artistic excellence in the performing, visual, and creative arts. Its mission centers on nurturing the next generation of talent through study grants, scholarships, bursaries, and support for innovative projects that embody artistic rigour, creativity, and ambition. Guided by trustees who are leading figures in British theatre, the fund prioritizes high-quality work with long-term impact, focusing decisively on theatre, dance, visual arts, and related disciplines, as seen in recent grants to the Arts Foundation, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and emerging theatre companies like The Herds.

It funds UK-registered charities and academic institutions operating UK-wide (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), with occasional support for their international projects; individuals must apply via a recognized charitable fiscal sponsor. There is a preference for small to medium-sized organizations without strict income thresholds, emphasizing projects that advance artistic careers through specialist training or professional development.

Grants typically range from £2,000 to £15,000 (often £5,000–£10,000), awarded as one-off project support rather than core funding. Unsolicited applications are welcomed year-round via tailored written proposals sent by post to their London administrator, with no online form or standard template—include aims, budget, and supporting documents like accounts. Reviews occur quarterly (end of January, April, July, October), with decisions in up to three months.

Distinctively selective and arts-centric—despite broader charitable objects—it avoids medical, scientific, or hardship relief in practice, rejects direct people/community support, and stands out for its personalized, excellence-driven philanthropy sustaining Björnson's transformative vision in UK creative sectors.