National Foundation for Youth Music

The National Foundation for Youth Music (Youth Music), established in 1999, is a UK charity dedicated to transforming lives through accessible, inclusive music-making for children and young people aged 0-25 (up to 30 for those who are disabled, d/Deaf, or neurodivergent) facing barriers like poverty, disability, or lack of opportunity. Rooted in addressing social inequality, its values—equality, empowerment, creativity, collaboration, and learning—drive investments in grassroots projects, young creatives' career development, and community sector capacity-building. It champions diversity, youth leadership, mental health support, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, cross-cultural work, and progression in digital/traditional music, via programmes like the Shift the Scene Fund for systems change and NextGen Fund for individuals/collectives.

Youth Music funds participatory music-making, skills development, education, progression pathways, and cross-arts initiatives that amplify marginalised voices, build resilience, and foster sustainable change. Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, CICs, community groups, and social enterprises operating nationwide (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), with priority for grassroots and medium-sized organisations outside London addressing high-disadvantage areas; no strict income limits, though small-to-medium entities (£50k-£1m turnover) are favoured.

Grants typically range £5,000-£30,000 for organisations (averaging £15k-£20k) and up to £3,000 for individuals, covering project costs, core funding, capacity-building, and occasional capital. Unsolicited applications are accepted via online forms in time-limited rounds (two-stage: initial form, then interview/full proposal). Next deadline: Shift the Scene Fund, 28 November 2025 (opens 31 October); NextGen rounds twice yearly (check website). Distinctively, it prioritises co-designed, youth-led projects with evidence-based impact, advocates for sector policy, aligns with Arts Council England, and excludes non-music or non-disadvantaged youth work, favouring equitable access over mainstream opportunities.