FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long should my application be?
We receive a high number of applications and we therefore ask that the total text does not exceed 2 pages excluding the budget and any other supporting materials such as images etc.
Is the word/page count a strict requirement?
No, this is given as an indication of our preference but we ask that you always include an executive summary at the beginning of your application that doesn’t exceed 300 words.
What level of funding can I request?
Our small grant amounts varied depending on the projects, the number of applications we support and the funds we have available each year. We ask for a total budget for the project and also to specify what you wish to use our potential contribution for. Please note that we do not allocate grants for staff salaries, core costs, or capital projects.
We ask that you apply for projects that will take place within 2 years of the application. We understand that sometimes things do not go as planned and we ask you to contact us as soon as possible to discuss any changes to your project.
How long do I have to complete the project?
No but the organisations we fund have to be non-profit and have the visual arts as their core mission.
Do I have to be a registered UK charity to apply for funding?
Unfortunately not, we only grant funds to institutions but if your project is backed by one you can submit a joint application.
I’m an individual artist/curator, can I apply for funding?
Absolutely, we welcome joint applications.
I am looking to work in partnership with another organisation. Can we submit a joint application?
We are focused mainly on supporting institutions and projects within the United Kingdom.
Do you fund organisations outside the UK?
All the proposals received are reviewed by the board of trustees at the grants allocation meeting. The deadline for submissions is 2 months before the meeting to give us enough time to read and go through all the proposals. The meeting usually takes place in the Summer between June and September.
Check our website to find out the next allocation meeting date.
How does the selection process work?
We aim to get back to you within 2 weeks of the grant allocation meeting.
When can I hope to hear back on the outcome of my application?
We only allocate funds only once a year for our regular grant giving activity. Our multi-year grants follow a different process.
How often do you allocate funds?
No, we only allocate funds at our annual allocation meeting in the Summer.
Can I apply for funding at any time of the year?
We do support multi-year projects but this does not fall part of our annual grant giving activity. Multi-year projects and grants are submitted by invitation only following discussions so please get in touch with us about it.
Can I apply for funding over multiple years?
Unless we have explicitly invited you to resubmit, we will not generally consider proposals that we have previously turned down. But please do get in touch if you are thinking of reapplying or if there have been major changes to the content or circumstances of your project.
My last application was unsuccessful, can I apply again for the same project?
We are always happy to discuss possible projects and collaborations as well as our application process. Please feel free to contact us at info@theampersandfoundation.com if you want to check something or request a short call about your application.
We recommend that you do so well in advance of the submission deadline as the volume of inquiries and applications received are high during this period.
I’m not sure my application fits the criteria, what should I do?