Theatres Trust’s Small Grants

The grants will support small capital improvements to theatres run by charities and not-for-profit groups that will make a big impact to a theatre's resilience, sustainability or accessibility, or to improving the diversity of audiences.

Eligible projects include:

• Improvements and repairs to the building fabric.
• The installation of key plant and machinery.
• The purchase of key equipment (not software) to improve digital infrastructure.

Priority will be given to improvements to buildings that protect theatre use and remove barriers to participation and attendance.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Own or manage theatres with titles or signed leases of more than five years on buildings in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
• Run a regular theatre programme of professional, community and/or amateur work presenting no less than 30 performances a year.
• Have a bona fide UK charitable or not-for-profit legal structure and be able to provide certified or audited accounts for at least two years.

The funding cannot be used for revenue and survey costs. 

Eligible projects include:

• Improvements and repairs to building fabric.
• Purchase of key plant and machinery.
• Purchase of capital items that improve physical access and the audience/participant experience.
• Purchase of equipment to improve digital access.

Priority is given to projects where the total project costs are less than £250,000 or where the grant is the sole external funder and/or achievable within the total fund awarded.

The next deadline for applications is 16 January 2026 (12 noon).