Pettman (Classical Music) Foundation

The Pettman (Classical Music) Foundation, established in 2003 as a UK-registered charity (England and Wales), is a small, focused trust with two trustees—Richard Robson Dobbins and Dr Richard Dobbins—dedicated to advancing classical music education for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly emerging New Zealand musicians facing poverty or financial barriers. Its mission emphasizes transformative opportunities like specialist training, cultural exchange, and international exposure to nurture high-potential talent, guided by values of fairness, prudent stewardship, and beneficiary safeguarding. Distinctively relational and scholarship-oriented, it prioritizes New Zealand-connected initiatives over broad charitable work, operating with a targeted ethos rather than open philanthropy.

It funds specific classical music projects, scholarships, and programmes supporting education, performance, residencies, masterclasses, competition travel, and elite ensemble training for young, economically disadvantaged New Zealand musicians. Beneficiaries are typically individuals or small specialist organisations in the NZ classical scene, enabling access to world-class international experiences that address geographic or financial hurdles.

Eligible entities include individuals and niche NZ-linked groups with no strict income limits or entity types specified, though larger UK-focused or generalist charities do not align; geographic priority is New Zealand with international reach, not UK-wide. Grants range from £5,000 to £35,000 (annual spend £100,000–£150,000), awarded via invite-only at annual trustee meetings—no unsolicited applications, public deadlines, or open calls are accepted, with decisions based on pre-identified opportunities. Exclusions encompass core funding, non-classical activities, and unrestricted support, setting it apart as a hyper-specialist funder for NZ youth musical careers on global stages.