Youth Music receives £20,000 donation from The Dr Martens Foundation

18 May 2023 - Press release

Youth Music has announced a £20,000 donation from The Dr. Martens Foundation towards Its Youth Music NextGen Fund.   

The Youth Music NextGen Fund supports early-stage musicians and wider creatives by investing up to £2,500 into their creative projects and ideas. The fund is especially aimed at those whose lack of finance holds them back from pursuing their goals and is open to 18–25-year-olds (and up to 30-year-olds who identify as d/Deaf or Disabled) who live in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. 

Since launching in 2021, the Youth Music NextGen Fund has put £406,753 into the pockets of 172 emerging creatives who might face barriers to earning in the music industries. With 27% of successful applicants identifying as Disabled to date, the generous donation from The Dr. Martens Foundation will specifically assist D/deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent creatives with applying for, and managing, their funding. 

Youth Music, the UK’s leading young people’s music charity, is creating a world where every young person can make, learn and earn in music, whatever their background or goal.  

The Dr. Martens Foundation, an independent UK registered charity, is passionate about supporting causes such as Youth Music’s, to advance social justice and help provide access for those from a disadvantaged background.  

Matt Griffiths, CEO of Youth Music said: “It’s a privilege to have received this donation, which will provide invaluable support to Disabled applicants for the Youth Music NextGen Fund. To have the backing of The Dr. Martens Foundation, a well-recognised charity whose mission is in alignment with our own, is fantastic.  

"Applications for our funding are higher than they've ever been, so we rely on support from the wider music Industries to ensure we can equalise access for every young person, regardless of their background."  

Golsana Begum, Foundation Manager of The Dr. Martens Foundation said: “At The Dr. Martens Foundation, the trustees are excited by the synergy of working alongside Youth Music and donating to such a good cause. 

“We see this as a perfect fit. Youth Music works to help support young and diverse talent regardless of their background, and at The Dr. Martens Foundation our objective is also to aid in the support of creative industries. 

“We believe in social justice, we value diversity and accessibility, so we support an array of local causes around the world, and being a small part of closing the funding gap in the music industry alongside Youth Music is a real honour.”  

Round Six of the Youth Music NextGen Fund, supported by The Dr. Martens Foundation, TikTok and players of People’s Postcode Lottery is now open for applications until Friday 19^th May.