The fund is open to solo creatives/artists, collectives, and organizations with music-related projects. Whether you're an artist looking to fund an album, tour, or creative initiative, or a collective launching a club night, festival, or music platform, you’re encouraged to apply.

A. Submit your application via the True Music Fund Application page by Midnight GMT, 14th March 2025.

Yes! The True Music Fund is open to applicants worldwide. As long as you meet the eligibility criteria, including being 25 years or older at the time of submitting your application, you are welcome to apply, no matter where you are based.

Yes. Applicants must be at least 25 years old by the application deadline (March 14, 2025). If you are currently 24 but will turn 25 before this date, you are eligible to apply.

Unfortunately, no. To be eligible for the True Music Fund, applicants must be 25 years old or above at the time of submitting their application. If you are still 24 before the application deadline (March 14, 2025), you do not meet the eligibility criteria.

The fund is designed to support individuals and organizations that meet the legal age requirements for grants and funding in their respective countries. Additionally, applicants must also be of legal drinking age in their country of residence, as the fund is sponsored by Ballantine’s.

No, the True Music Fund does not cover taxes, and we are unable to provide tax advice. If selected, recipients are responsible for assessing any tax implications in their country of residence and ensuring compliance with local tax laws.

If you are applying as part of a collective or organization, the grant will be awarded to the entity responsible for carrying out the project. If applying as an individual, we recommend consulting a tax professional to understand how receiving the grant may impact your financial situation.

Yes, all applications for the True Music Fund must be submitted in English. This ensures that our review panel can fairly assess all entries. If English is not your first language, we recommend seeking assistance from a friend, colleague, or translation tool to help with your application.

Not necessarily. The amount awarded will depend on your project’s scope and needs.

No, there is no requirement for your project to have been established for a minimum of one year. The Ballantine’s True Music Fund welcomes applications from both new and existing projects. Whether you’re launching something brand new or building on an existing initiative, you are encouraged to apply as long as your project aligns with the fund’s goals and criteria.

Yes! The True Music Fund is open to all eligible applicants, including neurodivergent individuals. We are committed to supporting a diverse range of artists, collectives, and organizations in the music industry.

If you require accommodations to complete the application (such as, alternative submission formats, or assistance with written sections), please contact us at hello@shesaid.so, and we will do our best to support your needs.

While the True Music Fund does not have a dedicated neurodiversity-focused resource, we are always striving to make our programs inclusive. If selected, we will work with you to ensure that the support and mentorship provided align with your needs.

If unforeseen circumstances arise, you must inform Ballantine’s and shesaid.so immediately. Alternative solutions may be explored.

While we cannot guarantee future editions of the True Music Fund, shesaid.so and Ballantine’s frequently support initiatives aimed at empowering music creators. We encourage you to stay connected with us for upcoming opportunities.

The fund supports a wide range of music projects, including but not limited to:

• Touring and album creation for solo artists.

• Live events (club nights, showcases, festivals).

• Music platforms (radio stations, digital projects).

• Education & mentorship programs.

• Music tech and innovation initiatives.

No, the maximum grant amount available is £30,000. If your project requires more funding overall, you can still apply, but you must only request an amount within the £5,000–£30,000 range and provide a breakdown of how that specific amount will be used.

If your project exceeds £30,000, you should still apply but only detail the amount you need within our funding range. Explain how this portion of funding will directly contribute to your project's success.

Applications are reviewed by shesaid.so and Ballantine’s True Music, selecting the top eight recipients based on impact, feasibility, and alignment with the fund’s mission.

Selected applicants will be notified within 21 days after the application deadline.

The grant must be used exclusively for project-related costs, including but not limited to:

• Production & equipment

• Marketing & promotion

• Artist or team fees

• Touring, events, or music releases

Yes. The grant cannot be used for:

• Personal expenses.

• Alcohol, drugs, or illegal activities.

• Political or discriminatory projects.