Aims/priorities: The fund exists to widen access to creative industry careers for people in underserved communities (as defined by Creative Access, the UK's leading inclusivity organisation in the creative industries) and aligns with the Government's Creative Places Growth Fund.
The funding is for small-to-medium-size single charities, CICs, CIOs and consortiums, whose members are based in the same region, who already run established creative upskilling projects making a real difference and are looking for further funding to grow, maintain, or reimagine that work. The funding aims to give them the freedom to tackle their most urgent priorities.
Creative industries, include:
- Music — performance, production, artist development, sound engineering, music business.
- Performing Arts and Live Events — theatre, live performance, events production, stage management, technical production.
- Screen and Audio — film, TV, animation, podcasting, radio, audio production.
- Digital and Interactive — gaming, XR, AI-enabled creative tools, digital design, social media production.
- Publishing and Communications — books, journalism, copywriting, PR, advertising, podcasting.
- Fashion, Craft and Visual Arts — fashion, textiles, fine art, illustration, photography, graphic design.
- Comedy — stand-up, sketch, sitcom, comedy writing, character comedy.
- Cross-disciplinary — projects that genuinely span two or more of the above.
- Other — creative industries where a strong fit is demonstrated.
Who can apply? The funding is for UK registered charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) and Community Interest Companies (CICs) with a physical operation within the UK, operating in the Creative Industries, can apply.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have an annual income below £5 million or if a consortium with three or more eligible organisations operating across the same region or locality with an annual income below £5 million per charity.
- Operate an existing, impactful creative program with a focus on upskilling to build confidence, develop skills, and create employment pathways.
- Be seeking to expand or continue an existing creative programme (rather than develop a new one).
- Demonstrate:
- Measurable impact on underserved communities.
- Maintenance of active safeguarding and governance policies.
- Sound financial health.
- Clear fund utilisation plans
Organisations must demonstrate impact to date and show a clear plan for how funding will grow, improve, or innovate the work already underway.
There is particular interest in working with organisations who see this funding as the start of a longer-term relationship, rather than a one-off opportunity
Grant amount: The following grants are available for this round:
- Boost grant of between £1,000 and £5,000.
- Sustain grant of between £5,001 and £12,000.
- Strengthen grant of between £12,001 and £20,000.
- Scale grant of between £20,001 and £30,000.
- Consortium grants of up to £100,000.
In addition, grant recipients may also be offered pro bono upskilling programs from Amazon professionals in the creative industry, which may include mentoring, work experience, placement opportunities, or legal advice.
Application process: The grant guidebook, terms and conditions, faqs, and online application form can be found on Amazon's Regional Creatives Fund page.
Applications will be assessed across five key areas. Strong proposals will:
- Show energy, optimism, and a clear creative purpose
- Deliver real impact through skills, access, and industry links
- Show a smart, achievable plan with confident delivery
- Amplify underrepresented voices
- Build on existing programmes to grow what's already working.
Deadline: 2 August 2026 (midnight).
Contact information: Email: regionalcreativesfund@amazon.com
Website: https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/community/amazon-regional-creatives-fund