Guidelines - revised for 2020

We are a small Foundation with funds from the royalties generated by performances, broadcasts and publication of the works of composer Michael Tippett (1905-98). When he set up the Foundation, Tippett said he wanted the funds to go towards young musicians and composers, not towards promoting his own works.

As funds are limited the Trustees have decided to focus on one area of musical activity as their single priority, described below.

Key Points

Single priority:
the development of group music making especially involving young people, with composing central to the project.
See more: What we might support and What Trustees want to see.

Size of grants:
grants may be between £500 - £4,000. The average grant is around £2,000.
See more: What we might give

Timing:
one meeting a year in the autumn, deadline September.
See more: When to apply

How to apply:
In 2020 applications are required in electronic format only, with a short covering email, attached project description of max length 2 single A4 pages, plus single page project budget.
See more: Applications should include

Exclusions:
instruments, equipment, recordings, individual study costs, retrospective applications.
See more: What we cannot support

What we might support

Our single priority is for projects that support group music making, especially those that involve young people in the process of composing and the development of creative ideas.

Because of our link with a major composer the Trustees wish to see composing as central to projects put forward for support. These can include applications from organisations for group projects working with young composers, perhaps at postgraduate or early professional level, offering innovative ways for young composers to develop their talents and experience through engaging with group musical activity. Composing competitions are not considered as priority projects.

Grants awarded will be made towards creative musical activity, not instruments or equipment. Projects might be first-time initiatives or the development of existing projects and must be based in the UK.

What Trustees want to see

For an application to be successful the Trustees will pay particular attention to:

projects involving young people: Trustees hope to see applications which aim to open young people’s ears, to stimulate creativity in sound and provide a springboard for young composers to move forward with aspiration.

the project's musical aspirations: Trustees want to see that the project is aiming for music making of high quality within the project context. We recognise that creative projects may take many different styles and forms.

projects taking place in or out of school, college or university, or in community settings will be considered. Projects involving young composers should indicate how the project will assist their professional development.

the artistic leadership of the project: Trustees believe strongly in the importance of a project’s artistic leadership. The artistic leader/s involved in the project (i.e. composer, musician, conductor, director, workshop leader etc.) should be clearly identified and named in the application.

how the project will be planned, managed and evaluated: Trustees want to know who is responsible for the management of the schedule, the participants, appointment of the leaders, evaluation and the budget. If your application is successful we will ask for a report on the project when it is completed, so plans for evaluation should be made from the start.

What we might give

Grants are likely to be between £500 and £4,000, with the average grant in the region of £2,000. All grants are made on a one-off basis - award of a grant in one year does not carry any probability of repeat funding the following year.

Because demand is so much greater than the funds available, only a minority of applications can be supported – in 2019 the success rate was one in nine applications.

The Trustees will be cautious about considering a small grant from the Foundation towards a project on a significantly larger budget scale.

When to apply

The Trustees normally hold one meeting a year, in the autumn. In 2020 the deadline for receipt of applications will be Wednesday 30 September. Projects for consideration should be planned well ahead and not start earlier than January 2021. Applicants should consider how projects might be delivered in case of continuing distancing rules.

Applications should include

1. A short covering email clearly identifying the organization and individuals/s applying, the sum requested and the names and contact details of two referees willing to support the application.

2. An attached Project Description (maximum length 2 single-sided A4 pages) for presentation to Trustees, covering the following areas. Please note: overlong applications will be cut.
Title: Organisation applying, project title and sum requested

Musical aspirations, aims, content and intended outcomes - see points above

Numbers and ages of participants with names of schools or other organisations which will benefit/participate in the project and a plan for recruitment if not working with pre-existing groups

The artistic leadership of the project - named and with experience detailed

Project plan including the start date, time frame, number of sessions, and where and how they will take place. Trustees will be flexible in considering alternative delivery plans if continuing distancing rules make these necessary.

The management of the project and plans for evaluation

3. An attached project budget on a single page, showing estimated expenditure and anticipated income from all sources, including grants and applications to other bodies, with explanatory notes if needed. The Trustees understand that a grant from the Tippett Foundation may be only one of a number of different funding sources.

Additional information such as biographies of project leaders can be sent as separate attachments.

4. In 2020 applications should be sent in electronic format only by email to: admin@tippettfoundation.org.uk Attachments might be in doc., docx, pdf, xls or xlsx. If you want to provide sound/visual evidence then give a weblink but please do not incorporate media effects in your application.

All applications received will be acknowledged.

What we cannot support

The Trustees regret they cannot consider requests for funding towards purchase of musical instruments or equipment; computer hardware, software or accessories; or towards capital purchase or development.

We also regret that funds are unfortunately not large enough to respond to other needs such as study fees or maintenance costs for individuals, or general performance or recording costs, or commissions for solely professional performance.

Funding for projects already completed cannot be considered.

Please observe these policy guidelines and do not apply for projects outside the priority area. The Trustees will not be able to consider additional requests, and applications beyond the priority area will not be submitted for consideration.

The Michael Tippett Musical Foundation, 50 Broadway, London SW1H OBL Charity registration no. 278469