Bridging the Gap helps arts organisations become stable on their own. It has been created for events-based cultural organisations which have the potential to become resilient but need some help.
Bridging the Gap recognises that many of Sheffield’s arts and creative organisations are nearly sustainable but need assistance to create a stable income. Its objectives are to:
- increase the amount of regularly funded arts organisations in Sheffield
- increase the number of diverse organisations supported/funded in Sheffield
- increase financial resilience by increasing the income of these organisations
- decrease the risk of losing these organisations and/or their events
Bridging the Gap is also looking to increase representation in leadership roles across the sector, particularly for people from protected characteristic groups (defined in the Equality Act 2010).
The Showcasing Sheffield project is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund - GOV.UK
What you'll receive
The scheme will be delivered in 3 phases:
Phase 1 - Mentoring
Organisations will receive up to 6 mentoring sessions from a leading industry mentor, focusing on an event they have delivered or will deliver between April 2025 and March 2026. The aim is to identify key challenges and opportunities that could improve resilience and sustainability.
Phase 2 – Action Plan
The mentor will work closely with participants to do a SWOT analysis. They'll make a personalised Action Plan with suggestions for more training or development. For example, this could include business planning, website development or membership structures.
Phase 3 – Grant
Participants will have access to a grant pot to help them afford the recommendations from the action plan.
Alongside this, the mentors will identify common challenges and scope out a series of free workshops. These could be on financial sustainability and strategic planning, inclusive and responsive leadership, audience development, or other areas. These are particularly useful for peer-to-peer learning and networking to encourage knowledge-sharing and collective growth.
Applicants must be able to commit to::
- a minimum half a day per month on mentoring sessions, preparation, reflection and further connections (up to 3 days over 7 months)
- half a day per workshop – to attend the workshop and take part in follow up evaluation (up to 1.5 days over 7 months)
- relevant time required to undertake the further training/development as identified in the Action Plan
Grant Scheme
Each participant will have access to a grant of up to £10,000 towards the costs of the recommendations in the Action Plan.
Eligibility
There are spaces for 5 participants on the programme. Organisation must:
-
be a Sheffield-based arts or cultural organisation (e.g. performing arts, visual arts, literature, combined arts), delivering events in Sheffield, with an annual turnover of less than £500,000
-
be formally constituted (e.g. registered charity, Community Interest Company (CIC), not-for-profit company)
-
meet the definition of a Diverse organisation: more than 51% of the board and senior management team are from protected characteristic backgrounds (as defined by the Equality Act 2010), or the organisation primarily serves, engages, or programmes work that is representative of diverse communities
-
have a clear artistic mission, and a track record in delivering public-facing cultural or creative work with clear outcomes or impact for at least 3 years.
-
have received at least two large-scale project grants from recognised public funders (e.g. Arts Council England, local authorities, trusts or foundations)
-
be established (e.g. operating for a minimum of 3 years), not currently be part of a National Portfolio (NPO) or in receipt of multi-year core funding from public sources
-
have delivered or will deliver an event between 1st April 2025 and 31st March 2026
-
not have received more than £315,000 Minimal Financial Assistance subsidy over the last 3 years
Organisations must not:
-
have an annual turnover exceeding £500,000
-
be currently in receipt of NPO or other multi-year core funding from public source
-
be a For-profit organisations or those without a clear public benefit
How to Apply & Selection Process
Organisations can request an Application form and guidance pack from culturesheffield@sheffield.gov.uk
Organisations will be selected based on:
- alignment with the programme’s objectives, particularly around increasing sustainability and resilience
- commitment to diversity in leadership (disability, ethnicity, socio-economic representation)
- proven track record of delivering successful cultural events.
- clear rationale for funding need, demonstrating how support will contribute to event and organisational growth
The deadline for applications is 10am Monday 28th July 2025.
Applications will be assessed by a panel, and successful applicants will be notified by 4th August 2025.