As banding activity continues to be limited during the Covid-19 Pandemic, Brass Bands England (BBE) is focusing efforts on supporting bands financially through this difficult time with access to new funding opportunities, and webinar support sessions.
Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants
After a brief closure, the Arts Council National Lottery Project Grant scheme is to reopen on 22 July, giving bands the opportunity to apply for funding for new projects. Further guidance on application requirements will be released in mid-July, however Arts Council England has already confirmed relaxations on match funding requirements and a commitment to small independent organisations.
In order to support bands thinking of applying to the fund, BBE will be hosting a webinar to explain the process of applying for funding and to support bands with their applications.
This webinar will be delivered online on Thursday 30 July at 7:00pm using the Zoom webinar platform so attendees can interact and ask questions throughout the session. This will be the first in a new series of BBE-hosted webinars, with the full programme to be announced in coming weeks.
This session is free for BBE members, and £5 for non-members. More information on Band or Individual Membership can be found on the BBE website - https://www.bbe.org.uk/join-us. To register for this webinar go to https://www.bbe.org.uk/civicrm/event/info?id=85&reset=1. Questions can be emailed to presenters in advance of the workshop at events@bbe.org.uk.
Easyfundraising
Brass Bands England has partnered with fundraising website Easyfundraising. With easyfundraising, your band receives cashback donations when members shop online with 4000+ retailers including Amazon, eBay, Just Eat, John Lewis, Waitrose, Argos, Screwfix and Trainline.
It’s free to register and use and requires minimal management. BBE members can register their band for free here before 31 August 2020 to be entered into a draw to win £100 donation from easyfundraising to kickstart your campaign. If your band is already registered with easyfundraising, simply raise a donation before 31 August 2020 to enter.
To find out more about easyfundaising, and the BBE partnership go to https://www.bbe.org.uk/easyfundraising.
Brass Band Emergency Fund
BBE is continuing to run a crowdfunding campaign to support bands with ongoing financial commitments. This fund is now open for applications for bands in need of help with any of the following costs:
-
Assistance with rent payments the band is committed to
-
Assistance with payments for contracted conductors
-
Assistance with payments for ongoing projects (i.e. set payments for commissions)
For more information go to https://www.bbe.org.uk/brass-band-emergency-fund, or to donate to the fund go to https://chuffed.org/project/brassbandemergencyfund.
Norman Jones Trust
Norman Jones was for many years the secretary of Brass Bands England in its previous incarnation, the British Federation of Brass Bands. He worked tirelessly for brass bands, and following his untimely death in 2007, the then BFBB were informed that they and its member bands would benefit from a large sum of money that Norman had bequeathed in his will. This money makes up a trust fund available to BBE Members.
Applications are invited from bands and individuals in reference to the following criteria:
-
New music commissions, especially from new or young composers
-
Working with other art forms and in particular, to fund capital items
-
Working with disadvantaged groups
-
Assistance for students to help with musical education
-
Projects which will have a lasting effect on the brass band community/applicants
It is unlikely that 100% funding would be given to applications. Amounts awarded will depend on the quality of the application and the funds available at the time.
For more information, email info@bbe.org.uk.
Making Music Membership
In addition to these ongoing initiatives, all BBE members also receive affiliate membership of Making Music, giving access to all member benefits and resources. This includes Making Music’s charity registration service and funding portal, a handy tool for finding available grants for leisure-time music groups including Brass Bands.
To discuss any of BBE’s ongoing fundraising initiatives, please call the Brass Bands England office on 01226 771015 or email info@bbe.org.uk.