Aims/priorities: The funding is for charities in the UK who already upskill people for careers in the Creative Industries. There are two application routes.
Individual organisations can apply for grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 for small-scale, targeted enhancement projects. These are ideal for existing programmes needing a boost to deepen or refine delivery.
The funding could be used to:
- Add a new module to an existing course.
- Increase access for a specific group (e.g. disabled participants, care leavers).
- Purchase equipment or software to improve participant experience.
Consortiums can apply for grants of up to £100,000 for Collaborative Regional Delivery. This is ideal for three or more organisations working together to expand access to creative upskilling across a wider area or audience than one group could reach alone.
The funding could support partnering with another organisation to deliver a programme in multiple locations in the region.
- Co-designing and a programme that brings different creative specialisms together (e.g. music + design, theatre + tech).
- Extending the offer to include new participants through a partner’s networks, particularly where they hold community trust.
- Delivering across rural and urban areas, ensuring a more equitable spread of opportunity.
Who can apply? Registered charities with a physical operation within the UK, operating in the Creative Industries, can apply.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a UK registered charity operating on a local or regional level with an annual income below £5 million or a consortium of three or more UK registered charities 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).
- Operate within the following creative industries:
- Digital and physical publishing, such as books and podcasts
- Film, TV and Performance
- Music
- Advertising
- Fashion
- Gaming
- 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 charity partners who see this funding as the start of a longer-term relationship, rather than a one-off opportunity.
Grant amount: There are two levels of funding with:
- Grants of between £1,000 and £30,000 for individual organisations.
- Grants of up to £100,000 for consortiums. The grant will be shared equally between the charities in the group, with a small additional sum (to be awarded at the judging panel’s discretion) to the lead partner charity.
The amount of all grants to be awarded is at the sole discretion of the judging panel. The total number of grants to be awarded will vary depending on the applications received and funding required.
In addition to the funding grant, recipient charities may also be offered pro bono upskilling programs from Amazon professionals in the creative industry, which may include mentoring, work experience, placement opportunities, and digital training.
Application process: The grant guidebook, terms and conditions, faqs, and online application form can be found on Amazon's Regional Creatives Fund page.
Applications are currently open with a deadline of 31 August 2025.
Decisions are expected by 15 September 2025. Winners will be notified by email and/or phone.
Grants will be paid no later than 31 December 2025.
Grant winners will be selected by an independent judging panel made up of senior leaders from Amazon, The National Theatre, Arts Council England, the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Help Musicians, and Music Minds Matter.
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.
Contact Amazon for further information.
Deadline: Applications are currently open with a deadline of 31 August 2025.
Contact information: Email: regionalcreativesfund@amazon.com
Website: https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/community/amazon-regional-creatives-fund