PRS Foundation
PRS Foundation is a UK registered charity, founded in 2000, that distributes grants and runs talent development programmes for UK-based music creators, organisations, and industry professionals, having awarded over £50m to more than 9,000 new music projects.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What PRS Foundation does
PRS Foundation, legally The Performing Right Society Foundation, is a UK registered charity (number 1080837) founded in 2000 and headquartered at Tea Auction House, Hays Galleria, London. The organisation operates as the UK's leading charitable funder of new music and talent development, having awarded more than £50m to over 9,000 new music projects since inception and supporting more than 400 new music projects per year alongside a Talent Development Network of 69 UK organisations.
Its core product is a portfolio of grant programmes delivered through the Flexigrant online application portal, with grant tickets ranging from £750 relief payments to £20,000 commissions. Named programmes include the PPL Momentum Music Fund (£5k-£15k, partnered with PPL, Creative Wales, and Arts Council of Northern Ireland), New Music Biennial, Open Fund for Music Creators (up to £5,000), the Composers' Fund, Women Make Music, POWER UP, Take Five (jazz), The Oram Awards, and Composer Bursaries with the Bliss Trust. International offerings include the International Showcase Fund, Musicians in Residence (China, Brazil, UAE), Keychange, Beyond Borders, and BBC Music Introducing Showcases. The technology stack is intentionally lean: Flexigrant for applications, Mailchimp for newsletters, Google Analytics for web measurement, and JustGiving/CrowdFunder for donations.
The business model is that of a non-profit grant-making intermediary. PRS Foundation does not charge applicants; instead, it raises and re-distributes funds from a consortium of partners — primarily PRS for Music (which the organisation states it 'would not exist' without), Arts Council England, PPL, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Creative Scotland, Creative Europe, Creative Wales, the Arts Councils of Wales and Northern Ireland, Spotify (COVID-19 relief), the British Council, and Invest NI. Grant decisions are made by expert advisors and programme partners. Customer segments span individual music creators (songwriters, composers, producers, performers), music organisations (festivals, venues, promoters), and industry professionals (promoters, venue operators). The organisation operates with 1-10 employees and reports active operations through 2026.
PRS Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PRS Foundation
- Legal name
- The Performing Right Society Foundation
- Website
- https://prsfoundation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- PRS Foundation is a UK registered charity, founded in 2000, that distributes grants and runs talent development programmes for UK-based music creators, organisations, and industry professionals, having awarded over £50m to more than 9,000 new music projects.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PRS Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Arts and Music Grant Funding
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)
Keywords
Where PRS Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
PRS Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
PRS Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PRS Foundation is a UK registered charity that provides grants and talent development programmes for music creators and industry professionals. It distributes direct grant funding ranging from £750 to £20,000 to support new music creation, recording, touring, marketing, composition, and professional development, and runs a Talent Development Network supporting 69 UK organisations.
Product overview
PRS Foundation is the UK's leading charitable funder of new music and talent development, operating as a single-platform grant funding organisation with multiple named funding programmes. Since 2000, they have awarded over £50m to more than 9,000 new music projects. The organisation offers a portfolio of funding products including the PPL Momentum Music Fund (£5k-£15k grants), New Music Biennial (up to £20,000), Open Fund for Music Creators (up to £5,000), Composers' Fund, and various international programmes like the International Showcase Fund and Musicians in Residence China. Additional offerings include Talent Development Network support for 69 UK organisations, professional development programmes (New Music Plus, GIRLS I RATE, Take Five, The Oram Awards), and flagship partnership programmes like Keychange and Beyond Borders. The Sustaining Creativity Fund was launched as a COVID-19 relief initiative. These programmes are supported by partnerships with PRS for Music, Arts Council England, PPL, Spotify, and other funders and partners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PPL Momentum Music Fund: A fund offering grants of £5k-£15k for UK-based artists/bands to break through to the next level of their careers, covering recording, touring and marketing activities.
- The Composers' Fund
- Women Make Music
- POWER UP
Products and services
- PPL Momentum Music Fund A grant programme offering £5,000-£15,000 for UK-based artists and bands to support recording, touring, and marketing activities, run in partnership with PPL, Creative Wales, and Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
- New Music Biennial A UK-wide commissioning programme offering grants of up to £20,000 for new music projects, raising the profile of UK music creators.
- Beyond Borders A UK and Ireland-wide commissioning and touring partnership programme supporting cross-border music collaborations between organisations.
- International Showcase Fund Funding programme enabling innovative music creators and ensembles to reach a worldwide audience through international showcase events and music export support at events such as SXSW and CMJ.
- Musicians in Residence China A residency programme supporting UK music creators to travel to China, Brazil, and UAE for 6 weeks to write new music and build international relationships, partnered with the British Council.
- Keychange An international partnership initiative empowering women and gender-diverse music creators and innovators across Europe, with PRS Foundation as a founding partner.
- Composers' Fund Direct funding programme for talented composers to support their creative development and career advancement.
- Talent Development Network A network supporting 69 organisations around the UK providing talent development support for emerging music creators across multiple genres.
- Open Fund for Music Creators General funding programme offering up to £5,000 for UK-based music creators at various career stages, supporting a wide range of music creation activities.
- Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition Competition providing emerging artists with talent development bursaries and the chance to play at Glastonbury Festival.
- Classical:Next Fellowships Partnership with the Classical:Next conference providing composers with the opportunity to attend, with travel, accommodation, and delegate pass covered, and matched with professional mentors.
- POWER UP Programme supporting music creators and industry professionals, addressing barriers and providing development opportunities.
- Take Five (Jazz) A unique opportunity for jazz music creators to take 'time out' to develop their craft and careers.
- The Oram Awards Awards for emerging artists in the fields of music, sound, and related technologies.
- New Music Plus Creative and professional development programme enabling non-music and cross-art form organisations to co-produce dynamic live music events with music events producers, including bespoke training, mentoring, and business development bursaries.
- MOBO UnSung Programme providing emerging talent with a platform and bursaries contributing to their personal and creative development, partnered with MOBO.
- Music Venue Trust: Fightback Grassroots Promoter Professional development programme supporting grassroots music promoters through the Music Venue Trust initiative.
- Composer Bursaries Bursary funding supporting emerging composers living and working in the UK, partnered with the Bliss Trust.
- National Film and Television School Scholarships Partnership supporting two scholarships per year for emerging composers at the National Film and Television School.
- Arts Foundation Award Award supporting creative individuals working in music creation and performance.
- BBC Music Introducing Showcases Partnership giving UK artists the platform and opportunity to showcase in overseas territories through BBC Music Introducing.
- Sustaining Creativity Fund COVID-19 relief initiative providing £750 grants to UK music creators experiencing hardship from loss of work due to the pandemic, launched in partnership with Spotify and matching donations pound for pound.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over £50m awarded to over 9,000 new music projects since 2000
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use PRS Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers27 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PRS Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
PRS Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, major and flagship.
- Musician's UnionsupportingUnion representing musicians; partner providing support and resources for music creator development
- British CouncilmajorUK's international cultural relations organisation; partnered on Musicians in Residence China programme enabling UK musicians to spend 6 weeks writing new music in China, Brazil, and UAE
- BBC Music IntroducingmajorBBC programme showcasing emerging UK artists; partnered on international showcase opportunities and showcases for UK artists overseas
- Glastonbury FestivalmajorIconic UK festival; partnered on Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition offering talent development bursaries and festival performance opportunities
- MOBOsupportingMusic festival and awards organisation; partnered on MOBO UnSung competition providing emerging talent with platform and bursaries
- KeychangeflagshipInternational initiative empowering women and gender diverse music creators and innovators across Europe; PRS Foundation is a founding partner
- Music Venue TrustsupportingUK charity supporting grassroot music venues; partnered on Fightback:Grassroots Promoter programme
- National Film and Television SchoolsupportingFilm and television school; partnership supporting two scholarships per year for emerging composers
- GIRLS I RATEsupportingBlack-led women's music organisation; partnered on Sustaining Creativity Fund supporting Black music creators
- Jazz re:freshedsupportingJazz development organisation; partnered on Sustaining Creativity Fund for Black music creators
- No SignalsupportingBlack-led music platform; partnered on Sustaining Creativity Fund for Black music creators
- Saffron RecordssupportingBlack-led record label; partnered on Sustaining Creativity Fund for Black music creators
- Tomorrow's WarriorssupportingJazz development organisation; partnered on Sustaining Creativity Fund for Black music creators
- New Music PlusflagshipCreative and professional development programme in partnership with The Hub; enabled non-music and cross-art form organisations to co-produce dynamic live music events
- Sound and MusicsupportingOrganisation supporting new music; partner on various composer and new music initiatives
- Oram Awards CICsupportingAwards for emerging artists in music, sound and related technologies; partnered for emerging artist support
- Universal Production MusicsupportingProduction music company; partnered on Futures programme for emerging composers
- Classical NextmajorClassical music conference; partnered on Classical:Next Fellowships giving composers opportunity to attend conference with travel, accommodation and delegate pass covered
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
PRS Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Creative Scotland: Scottish public arts funder supporting individual artists and organisations, including music creators via partnership with PRS Foundation on Momentum funding. Comparable grantmaking model but geographically constrained to Scotland.
- FACTOR (Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings): Canadian public/private music grantmaking organisation funding recording, touring, marketing, and video for Canadian artists. Strong functional parallel to PPL Momentum Music Fund and Open Fund for Music Creators, but limited to Canadian applicants.
Broad incumbents
- British Council: UK government international cultural relations organisation partnering with PRS Foundation on the Musicians in Residence China, Brazil and UAE programmes. Larger and broader portfolio but the natural co-funder for UK music internationalisation activities.
- Arts Council England: National public body distributing Lottery and grant-in-aid funding for arts and culture across England, and a major co-funder of PRS Foundation programmes. Operates at broader sector scale (all artforms, all regions) rather than music-specialised, but is the principal public counterpart for UK arts grantmaking.
Direct peers
- Youth Music: UK charity funding music-making projects for children and young people, with grants to organisations and individuals. Highly comparable grantmaking model, UK-focused music-creator pipeline, and partnerships with arts councils match PRS Foundation's structure.
- New Music USA: US non-profit grantmaking organisation funding new music creation and performance through project and capacity grants. Closest US-side comparable in mission (new music, composer support, grantmaking infrastructure) despite different national market.
- Help Musicians: UK-registered charity providing direct financial support, health & welfare grants, and professional development to UK music creators. Most direct functional comparable to PRS Foundation's mission of funding emerging and established music talent across the UK.
- Aaron Copland Fund for Music: US grantmaking foundation dedicated to supporting new works of American concert music through grants to performing ensembles and presenting organisations. Operates a similar composer-targeted grantmaking model at smaller scale, providing a non-UK direct comparable.
- Paul Hamlyn Foundation: One of the largest UK grantmaking foundations, a significant arts-and-composer funder and a direct co-funder of PRS Foundation's Composers' Fund and other programmes. Highly comparable grantmaking scale and mission around UK arts and social justice.
- Sound and Music: UK charity supporting the creation, enjoyment and development of new music, with composer development programmes and partnership with PRS Foundation. Closely overlapping mission in UK new-music funding, commissioning, and talent development.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PRS Foundation social profiles
Digital presencePRS Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PRS Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
PRS Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PRS Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PRS Foundation
What does PRS Foundation do?
PRS Foundation is a UK registered charity that provides grants and talent development programmes for music creators and industry professionals. It distributes direct grant funding ranging from £750 to £20,000 to support new music creation, recording, touring, marketing, composition, and professional development, and runs a Talent Development Network supporting 69 UK organisations.
Is PRS Foundation a public or private company?
PRS Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was PRS Foundation founded?
PRS Foundation was founded in 2000. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is PRS Foundation based?
PRS Foundation is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
Who are PRS Foundation's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Creative Scotland and FACTOR (Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings). Broad incumbents are British Council and Arts Council England. Direct peers are Youth Music, New Music USA, Help Musicians, Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Sound and Music.
Does PRS Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for PRS Foundation.
What industry is PRS Foundation in?
PRS Foundation's product category is Arts and Music Grant Funding. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAJ, Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAA, Private Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8300.