Baring Foundation launches first funding round to support arts and mental health organisations
They have announced the first call for applications in our new Arts programme supporting Arts and Mental Health.
With this funding, they are offering modest, unrestricted grants to established organisations in the UK that focus solely on offering creative opportunities to people of any age living with mental health problems using the skills of professionally trained artists.
This approach has been chosen to respond in the best way they can to the pressures the sector is undergoing due to the COVID-19 crisis.
This is the first funding call in what will be a long-term commitment to funding arts and mental health. They will expand beyond this starting place as we know that a great deal of valuable work is being done by other organisations which this first round of funding will not be able to support.
Are you eligible?
Importantly, organisations which only concern themselves with work relating to creativity with people, including children and young people, with mental health problems are eligible for this funding round.
Grants are not available in this call for organisations which undertake this work as one part of a broader offer.
A small number of further eligibility criteria are listed in the Guidelines. Please do read them carefully. These are the main ones.
What can the grants be used for?
Their grants will be one-off and unrestricted. The grant is to serve your charitable purpose as you best see fit.
How much can you apply for?
You do not need to apply for a specific amount. They have £900,000 available for this work in 2020 and we know there are a lot of organisations out there. They envisage making grants of £12,000 – £15,000 each. The final grant awarded will depend on the level of demand.
How do you apply?
They have tried to keep the application process as simple as possible, with a single written application assessment explaining how you meet the eligibility criteria.
The deadline for applications is 18 August at 12pm midday.
Successful applicants will be notified by mid-September
If you have any queries about this funding opportunity, particularly regarding eligibility, please get in touch with their Director: david.cutler@ing.com.