South Square Trust
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- Typical grants
- £10,000 – £75,000
- Applications
- By invitation only
- Decisions
- Once per year
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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southsquaretrust.org.ukAbout South Square Trust
The South Square Trust, established in 1979 by Arthur Grimwade – a distinguished silver expert and former director at Christie's – is a grant-making charity with a focused mission: to empower talented young people from disadvantaged UK backgrounds to access world-class training in the creative arts. Rooted in Grimwade's philanthropic vision, the Trust partners exclusively with leading specialist institutions such as drama conservatoires and art schools. Its ethos centres on fostering diversity and excellence in the creative sector by providing transformative opportunities through scholarships and bursaries. Distinctively, the Trust operates through long-term collaborations with selected partners rather than funding standalone projects.
What South Square Trust funds
The Trust supports scholarships covering course fees and maintenance for UK-educated full-time degree students aged 18 and over who demonstrate financial need and talent. Funding is directed towards disciplines within the creative arts, including acting, theatre design, stage management, and fine and applied arts. All grants are channelled through partner institutions – primarily leading UK specialist higher education providers – ensuring that support reaches students studying at recognised conservatoires and art schools. The Trust does not fund projects, core costs, capital expenditure, or emergency appeals; its entire focus is on enabling individual access to degree-level training in the arts.
Who can apply
Only established, nationally recognised UK higher education institutions in the arts, drama, and design fields are eligible to become partners of the South Square Trust. The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications; partners are selected by invitation following internal trustee review. Beneficiaries of the funding are talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds across the UK, aged 18 or over, who are pursuing full-time degree studies at a partner college. The Trust prioritises students who show both financial need and exceptional promise in their chosen creative discipline.
What South Square Trust doesn't fund
The South Square Trust does not support individuals directly – scholarships are administered through partner institutions. It also does not fund projects, core organisational costs, capital appeals, or emergency requests. Any fields outside the creative arts – such as sciences, business, or humanities – are excluded. The Trust does not offer general grants or sponsorship beyond its named scholarship programmes.
How they like to fund
The Trust provides funding exclusively through long-term institutional collaborations, distributing named scholarships that cover fees and maintenance. It does not accept unsolicited applications; trustees select partner institutions by invitation. The Trust's funding model is centred on student scholarships rather than project-based grants, and it supports full-time degree students at partner colleges over the duration of their studies.
How much does South Square Trust give?
Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.
When to apply, and how long their decisions take.
Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.
Good to know
How to apply to South Square Trust
South Square Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.
- A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
- If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.
- Decisions are typically once per year.
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with South Square Trust.
- 2Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
- 3Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.
See if South Square Trust could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does South Square Trust provide?
South Square Trust typically provides grants of £10,000 - £75,000.
Where does South Square Trust fund charities?
South Square Trust funds charities operating in the UK.
Does South Square Trust accept unsolicited applications?
South Square Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from South Square Trust?
South Square Trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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