21cMusician Toolkit 21cMusician Toolkit Finance & Funding Free 1-to-1 Fundraising Support for Musicians Need help with a funding application or grant proposal? If you're an early-career musician, you probably know that writing strong funding applications is essential - but it can feel overwhelming and confusing. That’s where YCAT comes in. We offer free, personalised 1-to-1 advice sessions with experienced fundraising professionals from leading arts organisations. Whether you're applying for postgraduate funding, launching a project, or planning your next big step, our advisors can help you put your best application forward. What You’ll Get 30 minutes of focussed, one-to-one advice Personally matched with a suitable fundraiser Real feedback from professionals working in organisations like: Royal Albert Hall Arts Council England Create (Arts) Limited Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama Institute of Contemporary Arts Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment …and many more . What previous participants are saying: How to Sign Up There’s no deadline and no cost - just fill out a quick form and we’ll match you with an advisor who understands your goals. All we ask is that you agree to complete a feedback form following your session. Sign up for your free advice session Who are the experts? We’re fortunate to have a fantastic group of experts from a wide range of backgrounds, all generously volunteering their time and expertise. One of them is Caroline Halls - here’s a little more about her: Caroline enjoys a dual-career lifestyle as both a fundraiser and a classical singer. Her singing work is mostly in the consort/early music genre, particularly as a regular soprano with acclaimed vocal ensemble The Marian Consort, but also sings with larger choirs and as a soloist. Her fundraising is often focussed on culture/arts/heritage organisations, but through this has also included projects in education, local place-making, third-sector support and helping specific demographic groups. Work has included setting up initial infrastructure for small organisations exploring fundraising for the first time, coming on board as a consultant for specific projects, and volunteering her time to give friends and colleagues in the cultural sector support and advice as time allows. A recent achievement Caroline is particularly proud of is her work for Delapré Abbey in Northampton, playing a significant part in a successful £3M bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and raising an additional £1.8M in match funding over the past 2 years. Based in Bristol, Caroline has recently started a new fundraising role as Development Manager (Maternity Cover, part-time) at the iconic ship and heritage site, Brunel's SS Great Britain, and is enjoying it enormously. Are You a Fundraising Professional? We're always looking for more mentors to support the next generation of musicians.Volunteer just 30-60 minutes a month to make a lasting impact. Become a mentor Eligibility This opportunity is open to early-career classical musicians who are preparing funding applications for postgraduate studies, creative projects, or professional development. Sign up for your free advice session Manage Cookie Preferences