The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation Expands Across South Yorkshire with SYMCA Partnership
The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation Expands Across South Yorkshire with SYMCA Partnership – Grant Applications Now Open
The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation is announcing an exciting new partnership with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and South Yorkshire Music Hub, expanding its work beyond Sheffield to support music projects across the whole of South Yorkshire.
As part of this, the Foundation is inviting applications for its Open Doors Small Grants Programme, supporting grassroots music activity across the region.
Founded in 2020, the Foundation has already supported hundreds of projects and reached thousands of people through its work championing grassroots music.
Through this collaboration, the Foundation is delivering the South Yorkshire Music Hub Open Doors Small Grants Programme, a pilot focused on widening access to music for children and young people aged 25 and under across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.
Funded by SYMCA, the programme offers small grants to grassroots organisations, music educators and community groups.
Grants of £750–£2,000 are available to support projects that:
- Enable inclusive music-making
- Improve access to instruments and equipment
- Remove barriers to participation
- Reach underrepresented communities
Applications are now open and will be awarded on a rolling basis throughout 2026/27.
Full details are available on the Foundation’s website.
This partnership marks an important step in expanding the Foundation’s reach and building a more connected music ecosystem across South Yorkshire.
The programme aims to:
- Increase access to inclusive music opportunities
- Support grassroots organisations
- Strengthen regional partnerships and pathways
- Identify gaps to inform future investment
Julie Voisey, Chair, said: “This partnership with SYMCA is a hugely exciting step forward for The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation and for continuing Sarah’s legacy across South Yorkshire. Sarah was deeply passionate about supporting grassroots music and creating opportunities for people and communities through music, and we are proud to continue that work in her name. This programme allows us to expand that support regionally while placing a particular focus on opportunities for young people. By working across South Yorkshire, we can reach more communities, support more organisations, and help ensure that access to music is truly inclusive, something that was always central to Sarah’s vision.”
Toby Smith, Music Service Manager, Rotherham Music and consortium member of the South Yorkshire Music Hub, said: “We are really excited to be launching this fund alongside the Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation. The fund will enable young people across South Yorkshire to access important musical experiences that they may not have previously had the opportunity to enjoy. The whole region will benefit from the new experiences and wider reach that the Foundation will now be able to provide.”
The programme will run as a pilot throughout 2026/27, supporting 15–20 projects with a strong focus on inclusion and community impact.
Apply Now To apply or learn more, please click here
