Information for applicants

Before applying for funding please make sure that you are familiar with the aims and objectives of the Fund.  These can be found in our page ABOUT THE FUND and are copied below:

Applications must be received by the following deadlines:

Small grants – 14th February

Large grants 14th March.

Aims of the Fund

The Brereton Memorial Fund aims to support:

  • A local memorial project to commemorate the work of Philip and Gwen Brereton
  • Music education projects both in the North West area and nationally
  • The teaching of the organ at every level to students of all ages.
  • The nurturing of choral music especially church music

Small Grants

The fund generally awards in the region of £1000-£1500 per year in small grants to individual applicants, although this may vary from year to year.

  • We will aim to offer at least two student bursaries per year to bona-fide organ students to attend the IAO annual Congress.
  • We also award a number of smaller grants of up to £300

The following list of size of bursaries awarded in the past is intended as  a guideline only:

  • for help towards musical tuition costs £300
  • towards the costs of attending a course £100
  • towards the costs of purchasing music £100

Large Grants

The Brereton  Fund committee have agreed to consider the award of larger bursaries (up to £5000) for wider-reaching, more ambitious educational projects; from groups, charities or societies.

In particular in 2021 we encourage applications from church music groups, choirs or primary school music educators to apply for funds that might help rebuild/replace activities that have been affected by Covid-19 restrictions. 

Applications for larger grants of between £300- £5000 should be made on the ‘large grants’ application form.

In general a time limit of 18 months is expected in which you must claim your award (or 6 months in the case of music vouchers awarded).  Time limits for projects are decided on a case by case basis.

What we will not Fund

  • We will not undertake to fund on-going costs.
  • We will not fund running costs for current activity.

Eligibility

The trustees of the Brereton Memorial Fund welcome applications from individuals, charities or other societies/groups for projects which further the aims of the fund.

You can apply for a grant from the Brereton Fund as:

An individual

  • wishing to take lessons on the organ
  • or wishing to embark on a research project related to the organ
  • or seeking financial support towards preparation for an organ exam

A registered Charity

or

Another type of group/society if :

  • You are a not-for profit group and
  • You have a constitution or a set of rules
  • You have a bank or building society account which requires at least two signatures and
  • You can enclose your most recent annual accounts or statement of income and expenditure.  (These must be audited or signed as approved by your Chair, or other senior office holder)

Applications must be received by:

14th February each year for small grants/ applications from individuals

14th March each year for larger grants/applications from groups or societies.

Applications can be made on-line – or if preferred a copy of the application form can be emailed to you – please contact us to request a copy.