LIVE Trust collects a £1 contribution per ticket sold for events with a capacity of 5,000 or more. Organisers, promoters, artists, or venues can choose to include this contribution in their tour dates.

Once a show or tour has taken place, we receive the contributions. We’ll use this to fund organisations and programmes that support grassroots music all over the UK.

We are a new organisation, phasing out our funding strategy over the next 12 months. We're starting with 'Phase One', an invite-only, short, targeted funding round that will provide funds to key organisations working across the sector. 

 

PHASE ONE FUNDING

LIVE Trust's initial Phase One funding will be an opportunity for organisations to apply for funding by invitation of LIVE Trust. This gives the trust an opportunity to:

  • Put money immediately where it is most needed and has the most impact, addressing some of the most urgent challenges the sector is facing at this time.
  • Build and test robust internal processes at the Trust including; finance, donations, grant management and reporting structures.

During phase one, we’ll fund up to six programmes across the industry that meet LIVE Trust’s objectives. Funded organisations will already exist and have the ability to deliver impactful programmes as soon as possible. We will have a clear application process, ensuring programmes funded benefit diverse communities across the UK and support grassroots music scenes across all aspects of the ecosystem.

 

Expectations & Impact

Through phase one funding, we expect to see organisations being able to deliver vital support to their communities across the music industry. In line with LIVE Trust’s objectives, we’ll be able to see:

  • Greater financial resilience across the board for the grassroots sector and those working in it and reduced exposure to escalating costs.
  • Safer, more inclusive and professional environments for everyone performing, working at or attending grassroots music events in venues, outdoor events and communities.
  • Expanded artistic innovation and diversity of programming with more live music being accessible to more audiences in more places throughout the UK made possible by funding risk-taking and experimentation.
  • Strengthened and expanded networks of support for everyone across the sector, both online and in person, with expertise and professional advice been easier to access.
  • A sustainable pipeline of talent on and off stage, ensuring the future strength of the UK live music economy.

 

PHASE TWO

We’ll be running ‘Phase Two’ of funding, from spring 2026. You can sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear about it.