Music Venue Trust

Could Music Venue Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants
£1,000 – £20,000
Applications
Accepted
How to apply
Online form
Decisions
Rolling (no fixed deadline)

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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musicvenuetrust.com

About Music Venue Trust

Music Venue Trust is a UK-registered charity established in 2014 to protect, secure, and improve grassroots music venues across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its mission is to ensure the long-term sustainability of these vital cultural spaces, which are essential for nurturing local talent, artist development, and community enrichment. The Trust values community benefit, cultural preservation, and the economic importance of grassroots venues, blending practical support with systemic change. What makes Music Venue Trust distinctive is its holistic approach: direct grants, property acquisition, and advocacy.

What Music Venue Trust funds

The Trust funds grassroots music venues—typically independent, small-scale spaces focused on live music—through its Liveline Fund, supporting activities that strengthen venue sustainability and community engagement. Their work is UK-wide, with a particular emphasis on preserving the grassroots music ecosystem. The fund supports causes in arts and culture, helping venues maintain their role as hubs for local talent and community enrichment.

Who can apply

Only organisations can apply, specifically registered charities that are grassroots music venues. These are typically independent, small-scale spaces focused on live music. The Trust prioritises venues that demonstrate a commitment to community benefit and cultural preservation. There is no religious restriction on eligibility, and unsolicited applications are accepted.

What Music Venue Trust doesn't fund

The Trust does not fund large commercial venues, non-music organisations, or events that do not support the grassroots music sector. They also do not support activities outside the scope of strengthening venue sustainability and community engagement.

How they like to fund

The Trust provides direct grants through its Liveline Fund, supporting grassroots music venues across the UK. They welcome unsolicited applications and take a holistic approach that combines grant-making with property acquisition and advocacy to ensure the long-term sustainability of the grassroots music ecosystem.

How much does Music Venue Trust give?

Music Venue Trust runs one grant programme. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

£1,000 – £20,000

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 6 sourced facts

Liveline FundOpen to applications
  • Online application form

Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.

What Music Venue Trust funds — and what they won't

Where they fund
UK

Good to know

FaithNo restriction
Focus areas
Arts & culture

How to apply to Music Venue Trust

Music Venue Trust takes applications via online form.

  • Published programme route: online application form.
  • Decisions are typically rolling (no fixed deadline).
  • Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

How it works

  1. 1
    Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
  2. 2
    See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
  3. 3
    Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if Music Venue Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Music Venue Trust provide?

Music Venue Trust typically provides grants of £1,000 - £20,000.

Where does Music Venue Trust fund charities?

Music Venue Trust funds charities operating in UK.

Does Music Venue Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Music Venue Trust accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

How do I apply for funding from Music Venue Trust?

Music Venue Trust takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online application form.

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Could Music Venue Trust be a fit?

Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.