Deadline: 19-Jun-2026
The Alice’s WonderDance Foundation Grant Program provides funding to help children and young people access dance opportunities by removing financial and social barriers to participation. The fund supports community organisations and schools delivering inclusive, accessible, and creative dance activities across the Liverpool City Region.
Created to continue the legacy of Alice Aguiar, the program promotes confidence, creativity, wellbeing, and self-expression through dance while ensuring that more young people can participate regardless of their financial circumstances.
About the Program
- The fund supports projects that increase access to dance for children and young people.
- It aims to create safe, inclusive, and empowering environments where participants can develop through movement and creative expression.
- The program encourages long-term engagement in dance education and community-based dance activities.
- Funding helps organisations reduce barriers that prevent young people from participating in dance programs.
Program Objectives
The program seeks to:
- Increase youth participation in dance
- Improve access to dance education and training
- Support inclusive and affordable dance opportunities
- Encourage creativity and self-expression through movement
- Reduce financial barriers to participation
- Strengthen community-based dance programs
- Support schools and community organisations delivering dance activities
- Promote wellbeing, confidence, and social connection through dance
Funding Information
- Maximum grant amount: Up to £2,000
- Funding area: Liverpool City Region
- Funding supports both program delivery and participant assistance
- Projects must demonstrate clear benefits for children and young people
Eligible Locations
Applicants must operate within the Liverpool City Region, including:
- Liverpool
- Halton
- Knowsley
- Sefton
- St. Helens
- Wirral
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Community organisations
- Charitable organisations
- Schools
- Local groups delivering dance-based activities
Applicants must:
- Operate within the Liverpool City Region
- Meet governance requirements
- Demonstrate clear community impact
- Have at least three unrelated trustees, directors, or management committee members where applicable
What Activities Can Be Funded?
The program supports:
- Community dance projects
- Youth dance participation programs
- Dance education initiatives
- Inclusive dance activities
- Holiday dance schools and workshops
- Affordable dance classes
- Dance programs led by qualified instructors
- Creative movement and performance projects
- Ongoing community dance activities
Eligible Expenses
Funding may be used for:
- Dance equipment and resources
- Speakers and sound equipment
- Mirrors and dance mats
- Dance shoes and costumes
- Dancewear subsidies for families facing financial hardship
- Essential dance supplies
- Transportation costs for attending dance programs
- Support for university-level dance students
- Emergency dance-related expenses
- Competition and examination costs
- Replacement of damaged dance equipment or footwear
Expected Outcomes
Supported projects should contribute to:
- Greater access to dance opportunities
- Increased participation among children and young people
- Improved confidence and self-expression
- Enhanced community engagement
- Reduced financial barriers to participation
- Stronger local dance programs
- More inclusive and accessible creative activities
Why This Program Matters
- Dance supports physical, emotional, and social development.
- Many families face financial barriers that limit access to dance education.
- Community-based dance activities help build confidence, creativity, and friendships.
- The program ensures that more children can benefit from the positive impact of dance regardless of their circumstances.
- Supporting local organisations strengthens access to arts and cultural opportunities across the region.
What Cannot Be Funded?
The fund does not support:
- Commercial or profit-making ventures
- Political activities
- Exclusively religious activities
- Projects without clear local impact
- Costs incurred before funding approval
- Existing debts and liabilities
- Reclaimable VAT
- Applications from organisations that do not meet governance requirements
- Certain restricted organisational structures
Application Tips
- Clearly explain how the project benefits children and young people.
- Demonstrate how funding will improve access to dance.
- Provide evidence of community need.
- Show how the project promotes inclusion and affordability.
- Include realistic budgets and clear project outcomes.
- Explain how the activity will continue benefiting participants after the grant period.
- Consider incorporating fair employment practices, including staff costs aligned with the Real Living Wage where applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the maximum grant available?
- Organisations may apply for grants of up to £2,000.
- Who can apply?
- Community organisations, charities, schools, and eligible groups operating within the Liverpool City Region.
- What age groups does the fund support?
- The fund focuses on children and young people participating in dance activities.
- Can funding be used for dance equipment?
- Yes, equipment such as speakers, mirrors, mats, shoes, and costumes may be funded.
- Can transportation costs be covered?
- Yes, transportation support is available to help children access dance programs.
- Does the fund support emergency dance-related expenses?
- Yes, emergency assistance may be provided for unexpected costs such as replacing damaged dance shoes or covering competition-related expenses.
- Are commercial dance businesses eligible?
- No, commercial and profit-driven ventures are not eligible for funding.
Conclusion
The Alice’s WonderDance Foundation Grant Program helps children and young people access meaningful dance opportunities by removing financial barriers and supporting inclusive community-based programs. Through grants of up to £2,000, the program strengthens local dance initiatives, promotes creativity and wellbeing, and ensures that more young people can experience the benefits of dance in supportive and accessible environments.
For more information, visit Community Foundation for Merseyside.