Theatres Trust grants: what they fund and how to apply

Funder Last checked 11 July 2026

The Theatres Trust helps not-for-profit theatres across the UK improve and repair their buildings. Through schemes such as the Small Grants Programme and the Theatre Improvement Scheme, it awards capital grants from £7,500 up to £20,000 for works that make theatres more resilient, accessible and environmentally sustainable.

What the Theatres Trust funds

The Trust’s grants pay for capital work on theatre buildings. That covers small building repairs, key plant and machinery, equipment purchases, accessibility improvements and works that make a building digital-ready or lower its environmental impact — from new windows and better water heaters to building management systems. Revenue costs, software and survey fees are not funded. The aim is simple: help buildings stay in theatre use and remove barriers to taking part and attending.

How much you can apply for

The amount depends on the scheme. The Small Grants Programme, supported by The Linbury Trust, awards up to £7,500 for essential works. The Theatre Improvement Scheme, run with the Wolfson Foundation, awards up to £20,000, with a current theme of improving environmental sustainability. The Trust also runs other schemes at times, including Seating’s Second Act with Race Furniture and the Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities programme.

Who can apply

To be eligible, an organisation must own or manage a theatre with a title or signed lease of more than five years, on a building in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. It must run a year-round programme of at least 30 live performances a year, and have a UK charitable or not-for-profit legal structure with at least two years of certified or audited accounts. Local authorities and town or borough councils that own or run a venue can apply. Individuals cannot. Organisations that have had a recent grant must wait 12 months from their final evaluation report before applying again.

Deadlines and rounds

Rounds are periodic, not rolling. As of 10 July 2026, the Theatre Improvement Scheme is open, with a deadline of noon on Friday 11 September 2026. The Small Grants Programme round closed on 26 June 2026, and its next round has not yet been dated. Because dates change each year, check the Trust’s Grants & Funding page before you start.

How to apply

Each scheme has its own online application form and guidance notes, linked from its page on the Trust’s site. Read the guidance first, as priorities and eligibility differ. The Trust no longer gives pre-application advice because of the number of applications it receives. Decisions take up to 16 weeks for the Small Grants Programme and about 10 weeks for the Theatre Improvement Scheme.

Tips

  • Match your project to the scheme’s theme — the Theatre Improvement Scheme currently prioritises environmental sustainability.
  • Have your two years of certified or audited accounts and proof of tenure ready before you start the form.
  • Smaller projects are favoured: the Small Grants Programme prioritises schemes where total costs are under £250k.
  • Watch the Trust’s application webinar, linked on each scheme page, before you write your bid.

Official source and last updated

Last updated: July 2026. Source: Theatres Trust — Grants & Funding.

Recent grants

[Theme renders recent awards from 360Giving data — do not hand-write.]

Similar funders

You may also want to look at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

Check if your charity is eligible for funders like this — CharityIQ’s free Grant Finder matches your charity to real, published UK funders and cites the source for each. → /grant-finder/

Frequently asked questions

The Trust funds capital works to theatre buildings — small building repairs, key plant and machinery, equipment, accessibility improvements and projects that cut a building's environmental impact. Revenue costs and surveys are not funded. Grants aim to make not-for-profit theatres more resilient, more inclusive and more sustainable.

Applicants must own or manage a theatre with a title or lease of more than five years in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, run at least 30 live performances a year, and have a UK charitable or not-for-profit structure with two years of certified or audited accounts. Individuals cannot apply.

It depends on the scheme. The Small Grants Programme, supported by The Linbury Trust, awards up to £7,500. The Theatre Improvement Scheme, run with the Wolfson Foundation, awards up to £20,000 for projects that reduce a building's environmental impact. Each has its own guidance notes and application form.

As of 10 July 2026, the Theatre Improvement Scheme is open, with a deadline of noon on Friday 11 September 2026. The Small Grants Programme round closed on 26 June 2026; a future round is expected but not yet dated. Check the Trust's Grants & Funding page for current status.

Apply online through the form linked on each scheme's page. Read the guidance notes first, as eligibility and priorities differ by scheme. The Trust no longer offers pre-application advice because of high demand. Decisions take up to 16 weeks for the Small Grants Programme and about 10 weeks for the Theatre Improvement Scheme.