FUNDING AVAILABILITY

The MyCool Music Foundation has funds for organisations, projects and individuals.

Launch of Funding Programme 2023/2024

Closing Date For Applications: Friday 1st December 2023

MyCool Music Foundation (MCMF) believes strongly in the therapeutic power of singing and music (collectively and individually) as a vehicle for enhancing the well being of groups and individuals and their sense of personal achievement. The experience of being involved in music – in its various aspects, can be both life affirming and empowering. This is especially important for people who experience disadvantage or discrimination, for whatever reason – be it youth, age, physical or sensory disability, physical or mental ill health, financial hardship or any other disadvantage.

MyCool Music Foundation is, therefore, proud to announce the launch of its fourth funding programme and to invite applications for grants for individuals and projects as follows:

Music related projects and initiatives working with disadvantaged people
Individual small grants for young people aged 12 – 18 years (nominated by an adult)
Individual small grants for people over 18 years for music related initiatives. Music related can be interpreted as involving instrumental, vocal, composition and singing activities/projects

MUSIC RELATED PROJECTS:

Applications are invited to support projects involving music related initiatives that will enhance the lives and experiences of groups and communities and support them to improve their health and wellbeing. The Foundation will accept applications made by individuals or existing organisations seeking financial support to work with groups or communities of people (large and small) to enable them to engage in specific music related education or activities.

Examples of activities that project related grants might support:

Choir/singing workshops for those experiencing/recovering from life crises, bereavement or life changing experiences
Music/singing activities for communities and organisations working with people in specialist units and those experiencing challenging life events
Using song writing skills as a way of self expression for those experiencing challenges.

INDIVIDUAL SMALL GRANT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 12 – 18 YEARS:

Small grants are available to support young people between 12 and 18 years of age who wish to undertake music related initiatives that will enhance their musical education and support them to achieve their full potential – in terms of both musical and/or personal development and well being. For those under 18 applications should be made by a nominating adult, on behalf of the young person. The young person, must, however, be fully involved with and supportive of the proposal and application.

INDIVIDUAL SMALL GRANT FOR PEOPLE OVER 18 YEARS:

Small grants are also available to support people over 18 years of age who wish to undertake music related initiatives that will enhance their musical education and support them to achieve their full potential – either musically or as part of personal development and well being.

Examples of activities that individual grants might be used to provide are:

Development of songwriting skills
Musical composition
Involvement in community or other singing
Some other music related activity

Mentoring in music related activities
Singing coaching
Music lessons
Performance development

Learn more

Colour Block 8CB9FF L-01.png — Grants for organisations and projects

The MyCool Music Foundation has made available a fund which will provide grants to support projects involving music related initiatives that will enhance the lives and experiences of groups and communities and support them to improve their health and wellbeing.
Musical initiatives can be interpreted as involving instrumental, vocal, composition and group singing projects.
The Foundation will accept applications made by individuals seeking financial support to work with groups or communities of people (large and small) to enable them to engage in specific music related education or activities. The application will require the support of a referee.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

Colour Block FFA699 L-01.png — Grants for individuals aged 12-18 years

The MyCool Music Foundation has made available a fund which will provide small grants to support young people between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age who wish to undertake music related initiatives that will enhance their musical education and support them to achieve their full potential – in terms of both musical and/or personal development and wellbeing.
Musical can be interpreted as instrumental, vocal and composition related.
For those under 18 the Foundation will accept applications made by a nominating adult, on behalf of the young person. The young person, must however, be fully involved with and supportive of the proposal.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

Colour Block 73FFBC L-01.png — Grants for individuals over 18 years

The MyCool Music Foundation has made available a fund which will provide small grants to support people over 18 years of age who wish to undertake music related initiatives that will enhance their musical education and support them to achieve their full potential – in terms of both musical and/or personal development, health and wellbeing.
Musical can be interpreted as instrumental, vocal and composition related.
For those over 18 the Foundation will accept applications made by individuals seeking financial support to enable them to engage in specific music related education or activities. The application will require the support of a referee.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

APPLICATIONS SHOULD MEET AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

Enable individuals to express themselves, improve their health and promote well being
Through access to choirs and/or music workshops or activities provide benefits from the therapeutic value of singing or musical engagement
Provide support for talented young people from disadvantaged/less privileged backgrounds to develop their musical and associated aspirations
Advance music related education and support disadvantaged people in various locations by offering opportunities to engage in music and singing related activities

HOW TO APPLY:

Complete the applicable application form above or email enquiries@mycoolmusicfoundation.org to request a hard copy and return it to enquries@mycoolmusicfoundation.org. A hard copy can also be requested by phoning 0300 365 4566.

If you require further information contact: info@mycoolmusicfoundation.org or phone 0300 365 4566

Please download the appropriate application form and return to the MyCool Music Foundation.

SUCCESS STORIES

Read about some of the inspiring MyCool Music Foundation success stories.

1. Croydon Carers Choir songwriting grant

Croydon Carers Choir has received a small grant to create their own caring song thanks to MyCool Music Foundation.

The Croydon singers will use the foundation’s funding to write and perform a unique song about those who look after sick or disabled friends, partners and relatives.

The songwriting project is part of Croydon Carers Choir’s long-standing mission to help the borough’s hidden carers find their voices and express themselves.

Singers will work on their new song over a period of four months, and hope to finalise the piece in December.

The choir currently meets twice a month at the Carers Support Centre to sing, smile and enjoy a well-deserved break from caring.

Katie Rose, Croydon Carers Choir leader said: ‘We are so thrilled that MyCool Music Foundation are generously supporting local carers through this project. Their support will allow us to help carers develop their song-writing skills and continue to raise awareness of the issues carers face every day.’

Croydon Carers Choir members are looking forward to getting started with the new project, describing it as ‘a new exciting challenge’ and ‘good learning experience’.

Croydon Carers Choir was founded in 2014 by the Carers Support Centre and Creative Croydon. You can learn more about Croydon Carers Choir by visiting the Carers Support Centre website.

2. Lewisham Mental Health Charity

The MyCool Music Foundation enabled the Mind and Soul Community Choir to work on the wards of the Ladywell Unit in Dec 2019. The Mind and Soul Community Choir is a singing group for anyone affected by mental health issues from service users to families, staff and friends. The choir rehearse weekly at the Maudsley Hospital. The Ladywell Unit is an acute unit and the choir, with the help of the MyCool Music Foundation, were about to deliver uplifting singing workshops for service users who were staying at the Ladywell Unit in the run up to Christmas 2019, resulting in a big sing along include staff and friends. Much fun was had. Some of the feedback included:

“By the look of people’s faces they really enjoyed it”

“Seeing service users coming out of themselves”

“Just to sing together”

“Good for a different mood- expressing yourself”

“feeling of togetherness”

“Great to get out and feel great”

“First singing without being told off”

“Being together”

“Being part of a group”

“Seeing folk enjoying themselves”

“Sharing the experience”

“the involvement of all participants”

“ Thank you MyCool Music Foundation! We could not have done it without you! ”

— Nicola

3. Celebrations Grant

Celebrations is a club for adults with learning difficulties, of all skills and abilities, who enjoy acting and singing and performing to others at shows and events. The Group was formed in 1999 and celebrated it’s 20th year last year and currently has forty-six members. Celebrations meets every Saturday morning from 11am to 1pm at Carlton Day Centre in Sidcup.

Celebrations is a place for members to meet together socially, in a safe and encouraging environment, to develop their interests and skills in theatre and music. The club session also provides respite time for parents and carers.

Celebrations have performed annual shows for a number of years at the Mick Jagger Centre Dartford. Our 2019 show there, the “Good Ship Celebrations”, was performed to an audience of over 220.

The Group is a fully self funded, formally organised Charity, run entirely by volunteers. Financially we are supported by donations from friends and well wishers. To support the 2019 production of our show we received a grant from the MyCool Foundation. This financial support enabled us to buy in skills from the Blink Dance/Theatre Company and to purchase costumes and props all of which helped to make the show so enjoyable to perform and a resounding success.

For more information see our website: www.celebrationstg.org or contact: Julian or Mary Thornington on 07732036379