Eligible Legal Structures
Not-for-profit organisation
A not-for-profit organisation exists primarily to achieve a social, cultural, or charitable purpose rather than to distribute profits to owners or shareholders.
Any surplus income is reinvested into the organisation’s objectives, not paid out as dividends.
It has governance and accountability structures that prevent private gain.
Applicants must be incorporated under one of the following not-for-profit legal forms and provide 3 years of audited accounts -
- Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) -
- registered with the Charity Commission
- limited liability and charitable statua
- Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG)
- registered with Companies House
- no share capital, members guarantee a nominal amount
- Community Interest Company (CIC)
- registered with Companies House and CIC Regulator
- asset lock ensuring profits are reinvested for community benefit
- Charitable Trust
- managed by trustees
- Community Benefit Society (BenCom)
- registered with the Financial Conduct Authority
- operates for community benefit, not private profit
Activities that are not eligible for funding include -
- charity fundraising events
- private parties
- political events
- religious events
This fund is not for individuals nor for NPOs of Arts Council England.
It is a condition of all successful applicants that they will report to Arts Development on -
- regular progress with the programme of events
- any variation in plans in advance of changes
- audience and participation data
- budgetary and financial information
Successful applicants to Arts Organisation Grants 2026 to 2027 will not be eligible to apply for Grants to Arts for the duration of the grant award.
You can read our full terms and conditions on our downloads page.