Bridging the Gap Fund

Bridging the Gap

UKSPF Showcasing Sheffield: Culture, Events and Visitor Economy Project

Bridging the Gap is a targeted support programme designed to strengthen and sustain events-based cultural organisations that have the potential to become resilient but are currently operating without stable core income streams. It recognises that many of Sheffield’s arts and creative organisations are approaching sustainability but need some further development to improve their core income.

Its objectives are:

To increase the amount of regularly funded arts organisations in Sheffield (e.g. securing 3-year funding bids or membership scheme)

to increase the number of diverse organisations supported/funded in Sheffield - board, staff and/or participants

to increase financial resilience by increasing the income of these organisations and decrease the risk of losing these organisations and/or their events

Alongside this Bridging the Gap is looking to increase representation in leadership roles across the sector, particularly for individuals from protected characteristic groups defined in the Equality Act 2010.

The Showcasing Sheffield project is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund - GOV.UK

The scheme will be delivered in 3 phases:

Phase 1 - Mentoring

Selected organisations will receive up to 6 sessions of mentoring from a leading industry mentor on an event they have delivered or will deliver between April 25 and March 2026, with the aim of identifying key challenges and opportunities that could improve resilience and sustainability.

Phase 2 – Action Plan

The mentor will work closely with participants to perform a SWOT analysis, monitor and measure the event delivery and ultimately generate a bespoke Action Plan with recommendations for further specialist training or development. This could include for example, business planning, website development, membership structures etc. Participants will benefit from access to a grant pot as a financial contribution towards progressing those recommendations.

Phase 3 – Grant

Participants will benefit from access to a grant pot as a financial contribution towards progressing those recommendations outlined in the action plan

Alongside this the mentors will collaborate to identify common challenges experienced by selected organisation and scope out a series of free workshops on topics such as financial sustainability and strategic planning, inclusive and responsive leadership or audience development, where participants could also benefit from some peer-to-peer learning and networking to encourage knowledge-sharing and collective growth.

Applicants must be able to commit the appropriate level of interaction with the scheme:

A minimum half a day per month on mentoring – 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 benefit from a grant of up to £10,000 towards the costs of progressing the recommendations identified in the Action Plan.

Who can apply?

There are spaces for 5 participants on the programme.

Organisations must meet the following criteria:

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.

Must be formally constituted (e.g. registered charity, Community Interest Company (CIC), not-for-profit company).

Must 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.

Must 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.

Must have received at least two large-scale project grants from recognised public funders (e.g. Arts Council England, local authorities, trusts or foundations).

Must 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.

Must have delivered or will deliver an event between 1st April 2025 and 31st March 2026.

Must not have received more than £315,000 Minimal Financial Assistance subsidy over the last 3 years

Ineligible Applicants

Organisations with an annual turnover exceeding £500,000.

Organisations currently in receipt of NPO or other multi-year core funding from public sources.

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 the following criteria:

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 on Monday 28th July 2025.

Applications will be assessed by a panel, and successful applicants will be notified by 4th August 2025.