Benevolent Fund

What Benevolent Fund does

Actors' Trust (working name of The Actors' Benevolent Fund) is a UK registered charity, founded in 1882, that provides financial, mental health, and wellbeing support to professional actors and stage managers unable to work due to health issues, injury, retirement, or other circumstances beyond their control. Headquartered at 6 Adam Street, London, the charity operates under Royal Patronage of King Charles III and serves beneficiaries across the United Kingdom through a portfolio of means-tested financial grants, a free counselling service, wellbeing workshops, and referrals to specialised partner organisations. Eligibility is tied to professional credits (at least two paid roles in the past two years for actors; production credits for stage managers) and household savings thresholds (£16,000, or £23,250 for pension age or long-term health issues), with awards measured against the independently set Minimum Income Standard.

The charity's core offering centres on Financial Support Grants covering essentials such as rent, food, bills, travel, therapy, and medical costs not available on the NHS. This has been supplemented by a sequence of new programmes under the 2024-2026 'Acting for Impact' strategy: a School Essentials Grant (launched July 2026) for members with school-age children, a Winter Grant (December 2025) for heating and energy costs, a Free Counselling Service (March 2026) delivering up to six subsidised sessions in partnership with Wellbeing in the Arts, and Free Wellbeing Workshops (February 2026) delivered jointly with BAPAM (British Association for Performing Arts Medicine). Underlying technology is intentionally light: a multi-step online grant enquiry system, a digital donation platform, and basic podcast/video distribution via YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Audible. There is no public API, no proprietary technology stack, and no developer-facing integration capability.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable mechanisms: public and community donations, legacy gifts and bequests, membership and 'Friend' fees, and partnership revenue such as the Hackett limited-edition pocket square initiative selected by King Charles III. Beneficiary acquisition is driven by word-of-mouth within the acting profession, partner charity referrals, and a community ambassador programme featuring high-profile actors. The charity operates with a small team of 11-50 employees, spent over £1.6 million on charitable support in 2022, and helped more than 500 people in 2024.

Name

Benevolent Fund

Legal name

The Actors' Benevolent Fund

Website

https://actorsbenevolentfund.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1882

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Actors' Trust is a 1882-founded UK charity providing means-tested financial grants, counselling, and wellbeing support to professional actors and stage managers unable to work due to illness or other circumstances. It operates under King Charles III's Royal Patronage.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Charitable Support

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)

Keywords

• Charitable financial grants
• Actor welfare support
• Performing arts charity
• Means-tested grants
• Stage manager assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: The primary revenue stream comes from donations from the public, supporters, and the acting community. Donations can be made as one-off or regular contributions through the website.
2. Legacy Gifts: Bequests and legacy gifts left in supporters' wills, described as vital to the future of the charity and its ability to expand services.
3. Membership Fees: Actors and stage managers can become members for exclusive access to information, events and resources. 'Friend of the Actors' Trust' fees also contribute.
4. Partnership Revenue: Royal partnerships such as the Hackett pocket square initiative generate donations. King Charles III selected Actors' Trust to benefit from limited-edition merchandise sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Actors' Trust provides means-tested financial grants and wellbeing support to professional UK actors and stage managers who are unable to work due to health issues, injury, disability, retirement, bereavement, or other circumstances beyond their control. Grants cover essential living costs (rent, food, utility bills), medical and therapy costs not available on the NHS, care home fees, and school-related expenses. The charity also delivers mental health counselling, wellbeing workshops, career development resources, and community-building programmes.

Product overview

Actors' Trust (working name of The Actors' Benevolent Fund) is a charitable trust offering a comprehensive suite of support services for UK actors and stage managers. The core offering centres on means-tested Financial Support Grants, supplemented by a School Essentials Grant for members with children. Mental health support is delivered through a Free Counselling Service (in partnership with Wellbeing in the Arts) and Free Wellbeing Workshops (partnered with BAPAM). The Winter Grant provides seasonal financial assistance. Additional services include a Podcast series addressing industry challenges, a Membership Programme, and Partner Organisation Referrals connecting beneficiaries with specialised support organisations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Financial Support Grants Means-tested financial assistance for actors and stage managers unable to work due to health issues, life events, or other circumstances. Covers essential expenses including rent, food, travel, bills, and may include contributions towards care home costs, therapy, and medical bills.
• School Essentials Grant One-off grant for actors and stage managers with school-age children to assist with school-related costs and childcare expenses during summer holidays.
• Free Counselling Service Up to six fully subsidised, confidential counselling sessions delivered in partnership with Wellbeing in the Arts, providing specialist mental health support tailored to the performing arts industry.
• Free Wellbeing Workshops Free webinars and workshops in partnership with BAPAM providing mental health and wellbeing guidance for performing arts professionals.
• Winter Grant Financial support programme designed to assist actors and stage managers during winter months with heating and energy costs.
• Mental Health & Wellbeing Support Emotional and psychological support services for actors and stage managers experiencing mental health challenges.
• Physical & Vocal Health Support Support and resources for physical health issues and vocal care, including assistance with medical treatment costs not available on the NHS.
• Career & Development Support Resources and guidance to help actors and stage managers develop their careers and navigate the industry.
• Actors' Trust Podcast Podcast series featuring established actors sharing experiences alongside therapists or coaches discussing topics including performance anxiety, rejection, ageing, identity, and neuro-inclusivity.
• Membership Programme Membership programme for actors and stage managers providing exclusive access to information, events, and resources, with members expected to act as ambassadors to identify potential beneficiaries.
• Partner Organisation Referrals Referrals to and partnerships with other theatre and entertainment charities including Denville Hall, The Equity Charitable Trust, Backup Tech, Help Musicians, and others for specialised support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 people helped in 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Wellbeing in the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Partnership to deliver up to six fully subsidised, confidential counselling sessions for actors and stage managers. The service provides specialist mental health support tailored to the pressures of the performing arts industry, helping address the significantly higher rates of mental health issues in the performing arts community.
• BAPAM (British Association for Performing Arts Medicine)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Joint delivery of free wellbeing workshops and webinars featuring therapists and healthcare professionals to help performers support their wellbeing. BAPAM provides medical advice and clinical assessments addressing physical injuries, mental health, and vocal/hearing health for performing artists.
• Compass PartnershipcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Conducted an independent governance review of the charity's board effectiveness and governance practices. Compass Partnership is described as having significant experience and credibility in charity governance.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Wellbeing in the Arts: UK arts-sector mental health charity delivering counselling and wellbeing services. Strategic partner of Actors' Trust for the 2026 Free Counselling launch, addressing overlapping beneficiary needs through a clinician-led service rather than a grantmaking model.
• British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM): UK charity providing free medical advice and clinical assessments for performing artists. Not a direct grantmaking competitor but a strategic wellbeing partner (per Actors' Trust's 2026 partnership), addressing overlapping beneficiary health needs.

Regional players

• The Actors Fund (US): US-based national nonprofit providing social services, health care, and financial support for performers and entertainment professionals. Closest international peer by mission and structure, but geographically confined to the United States.

Direct peers

• Royal Theatrical Fund: UK charity providing financial support, welfare grants, and convalescent/accommodation services to theatre professionals and their families. Directly comparable mission, beneficiary base, and grantmaking model targeted at the same acting profession.
• Help Musicians: UK charity providing financial and welfare support, including hardship grants, mental health services, and professional development for musicians. Closely analogous operating model in a parallel performing-arts vertical, with comparable donation-driven funding.
• Denville Hall: Retirement and care home charity specifically for those who have worked in theatre, film, and television. A direct partner (per Actors' Trust referral page) addressing a different stage of the actor welfare lifecycle but serving the same beneficiary base.
• The Equity Charitable Trust: UK charity supporting actors, singers, and dancers experiencing financial hardship through grants, advice, and welfare services. Closely overlaps with Actors' Trust in beneficiary focus (UK performers) and direct grantmaking approach.
• Music Industry Trusts Fund (UK): UK industry-supported charity that raises funds to support musicians, singers, songwriters, and those in related professions facing need or distress. Operates an analogous industry-affiliated fundraising and grantmaking model in a parallel creative vertical.
• Backup Tech: UK charity providing financial and welfare support to technical theatre, backstage, and touring crew. Listed as a referral partner by Actors' Trust and operates an analogous grant-driven welfare model for an adjacent entertainment profession.
• Royal Variety Charity: UK charity supporting entertainment industry professionals through grants and special care, derived from the Royal Variety Performance. Operates a parallel grant-and-care model within the broader UK entertainment profession with similar royal-endorsed positioning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9gSOr3QUmhggwkZg1fKP7w
• Facebookfacebook.com/actorstrust
• Instagraminstagram.com/actorstrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/benevolent-fund

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Benevolent Fund