The Goldsmiths’ Foundation Open Grants Fund provides funding to UK charities delivering vocational skills and training, particularly within the craft and creative industries.
This fund focuses on organisations working at the intersection of skills development, creativity and social impact, supporting work that builds more equitable and inclusive communities through technical and vocational skills.
About the Fund
The Open Grants Fund is designed to support organisations that strengthen vocational skills infrastructure and unlock the wider social value of craft and making.
The Foundation aims to:
- Strengthen technical and vocational skills in underserved communities
- Champion the role of craft and creative skills in social justice
- Build systems and networks that support long-term sector growth
This round is particularly focused on organisations whose primary work involves craft — defined broadly as skilled making by hand, either as a core activity or within a wider creative field.
How Much Funding Is Available
- £30,000 to £50,000 per organisation
- Total fund size: approximately £600,000
Funding can be used for:
- Core (operating) costs
- Project delivery
- Organisational development and capacity building
Applicants are typically expected to demonstrate or secure some level of match funding.
What the Fund Supports
The fund supports organisations delivering vocational skills and training linked to creativity and craft.
This can include:
- Practical training in craft and making skills
- Programmes developing technical and vocational skills
- Initiatives supporting creative industries and makers
- Projects building pathways into creative careers
- Work strengthening local or national craft ecosystems
The focus is not just on skills delivery, but on creating wider social impact through creativity, inclusion and opportunity.
Who Is Eligible
To apply, organisations must:
- Be a UK registered charity, CIO, or exempt/excepted charity
- Have at least one year of annual accounts
- Deliver work focused on vocational skills, training or craft
- Demonstrate clear social impact through their work
The fund is aimed at organisations, not individuals or private businesses.
What the Fund Will Not Support
The fund does not support:
- Individuals or sole traders
- Social enterprises, CICs or private companies
- Organisations without a clear focus on skills and craft
Projects must clearly align with vocational skills development and creative practice.
Application Timeline
- Applications open: 9 March 2026
- Deadline: 11 May 2026 (10am)
Applicants are encouraged to review guidance and attend any available webinars before applying.
What Makes This Fund Different
This fund stands out because:
- Strong focus on vocational skills and craft
- Emphasis on social change through creativity
- Flexible funding covering both core and project costs
- Focus on building long-term infrastructure and ecosystems
It is particularly well suited to organisations working in creative skills development with a clear social mission.
