Marking four Years of The Soho House Foundation
Image by @moodsofana.photography
Previous grant recipients share the impact that the creative grant programme has had on their charity – plus, we introduce the winners of this year’s fund
Wednesday 5 November 2025 By Emma McCarthy
We believe that talent is everywhere – but opportunity is not. That’s why The Soho House Foundation exists: an independent charitable organisation, established by Soho House to remove barriers to creativity for young people from underrepresented lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Through an annual grant programme, it supports projects that open doors to the arts, from music and film to theatre, design, and pathways to creative careers in the cities where Soho House has membership communities.
Since 2022, the foundation has distributed more than half a million dollars, including 16 grants to creative charities that have directly supported over 3,900 young people. In addition to the annual grant programme, the foundation also works with carefully selected charity partners to aid disaster relief.
As a global membership platform for creatives, we can see first-hand the benefits of providing opportunities for diverse talent to flourish. Soho House has pledged to make an annual donation because we believe in a world where being a successful creative is a viable life choice, not just a privileged one.
Find out more about The Soho House Foundation here; applications for the 2026 grant programme will open in the new year.
Through an annual grant programme, it supports projects that open doors to the arts, from music and film to theatre, design, and pathways to creative careers in the cities where Soho House has membership communities.
Since 2022, the foundation has distributed more than half a million dollars, including 16 grants to creative charities that have directly supported over 3,900 young people. In addition to the annual grant programme, the foundation also works with carefully selected charity partners to aid disaster relief.
As a global membership platform for creatives, we can see first-hand the benefits of providing opportunities for diverse talent to flourish. Soho House has pledged to make an annual donation because we believe in a world where being a successful creative is a viable life choice, not just a privileged one.
Find out more about The Soho House Foundation here; applications for the 2026 grant programme will open in the new year.
We’re proud to introduce the 2025 grant winners:
OTV, Chicago
An Emmy-nominated non-profit streaming platform and media incubator based in Chicago, Open Television (OTV) is recognised as a pioneering force in independent film. Over the past decade, it has supported intersectional storytellers through mentorship, grants, fellowships and distribution – releasing more than 500 titles and cultivating a global subscriber community of 10,000+. With a mission to transform how the film and entertainment industries engage with opportunity-challenged communities, OTV centers care, experimentation, and equity to create space for the next generation of storytellers and audiences to imagine new futures for media.
Deafinitely Theatre, UK
Deafinitely Theatre is the first professional deaf-launched and led theatre company in the UK that works bilingually in British Sign Language and spoken English to produce work that caters to audiences of all ages. Challenging barriers to training and opportunities by embracing the deaf world’s diversity, the company works hard to nurture the next generation of deaf actors, writers and audiences through its Deafinitely Youth Theatre, touring family work plus its creative training and development programme for adults. The company’s vision is a world where deaf people are a valued part of the national theatre landscape, recognised for the excellence of their work.
PERLE SOCIALE, France
Founded in France in 2023, PERLE SOCIALE (the Partnership for Education, Reintegration and Social Flourishment) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities by providing educational support and career guidance, along with cultural initiatives and workshops for young people designed to unlock creative potential and build confidence. By placing creativity and education at the heart of its mission, PERLE SOCIALE turns vulnerability into strength and opens new perspectives for the future.
Dhammajarinee Witthaya School, Thailand
Under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Soamsawali, Dhammajarinee Witthaya School offers a safe home and free quality K–12 education to more than 1,000 underserved girls in Thailand. The school offers a holistic approach to education, from traditional academics and STEM to the arts, together with vocational training, athletics, leadership development, and mental health programmes, including daily meditation and yoga. The results are transformative: 90% of graduates attend university, compared to just 5% of children from low-income families nationwide.
Since 2023, The Soho House Foundation has worked with 16 charity partners across the UK, North America, Asia and Europe. Here, four previous grant recipients share their first-hand experience on the support they received and the impact the fund has had on their charities.
OTV, Chicago
An Emmy-nominated non-profit streaming platform and media incubator based in Chicago, Open Television (OTV) is recognised as a pioneering force in independent film. Over the past decade, it has supported intersectional storytellers through mentorship, grants, fellowships and distribution – releasing more than 500 titles and cultivating a global subscriber community of 10,000+. With a mission to transform how the film and entertainment industries engage with opportunity-challenged communities, OTV centers care, experimentation, and equity to create space for the next generation of storytellers and audiences to imagine new futures for media.
Deafinitely Theatre, UK
Deafinitely Theatre is the first professional deaf-launched and led theatre company in the UK that works bilingually in British Sign Language and spoken English to produce work that caters to audiences of all ages. Challenging barriers to training and opportunities by embracing the deaf world’s diversity, the company works hard to nurture the next generation of deaf actors, writers and audiences through its Deafinitely Youth Theatre, touring family work plus its creative training and development programme for adults. The company’s vision is a world where deaf people are a valued part of the national theatre landscape, recognised for the excellence of their work.
PERLE SOCIALE, France
Founded in France in 2023, PERLE SOCIALE (the Partnership for Education, Reintegration and Social Flourishment) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities by providing educational support and career guidance, along with cultural initiatives and workshops for young people designed to unlock creative potential and build confidence. By placing creativity and education at the heart of its mission, PERLE SOCIALE turns vulnerability into strength and opens new perspectives for the future.
Dhammajarinee Witthaya School, Thailand
Under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Soamsawali, Dhammajarinee Witthaya School offers a safe home and free quality K–12 education to more than 1,000 underserved girls in Thailand. The school offers a holistic approach to education, from traditional academics and STEM to the arts, together with vocational training, athletics, leadership development, and mental health programmes, including daily meditation and yoga. The results are transformative: 90% of graduates attend university, compared to just 5% of children from low-income families nationwide.
Since 2023, The Soho House Foundation has worked with 16 charity partners across the UK, North America, Asia and Europe. Here, four previous grant recipients share their first-hand experience on the support they received and the impact the fund has had on their charities.
p:ear
Portland, Oregon (USA)
2024 grant programme
p:ear has built a compassionate community dedicated to supporting Portland’s homeless and transitional youth aged 15 to 25. It provides critical services that go far beyond basic needs, empowering young people to foster self-confidence and gain new, practical skills across four core programmes: education, art, recreation and job training. The grant helped bring arts and culture opportunities into the lives of youth who have experienced a lifetime of instability and poverty.
Portland, Oregon (USA)
2024 grant programme
p:ear has built a compassionate community dedicated to supporting Portland’s homeless and transitional youth aged 15 to 25. It provides critical services that go far beyond basic needs, empowering young people to foster self-confidence and gain new, practical skills across four core programmes: education, art, recreation and job training. The grant helped bring arts and culture opportunities into the lives of youth who have experienced a lifetime of instability and poverty.
‘Since opening our doors, p:ear has enrolled more than 6,000 young people. In a state where youth homelessness continues to rise – Oregon saw a 13.6% increase from 2023 to 2024 – p:ear fills a critical gap by providing not only safety and survival, but also pathways to belonging, resilience, and self-determination. While more galleries and institutions are beginning to include marginalised artists in their programming, the reality is that many of our youth have never had the opportunity or the privilege to step into these spaces. Bringing the artists directly to them breaks down those barriers.
‘We are incredibly grateful for The Soho House Foundation’s support, which brings
strength to our BIPOC Artist in Residence Program and youth-led art shows. This grant allows us to provide young artists with the tools, space, and encouragement they need to let their creativity shine. By directly investing in the growth and expression of these talented voices, The Soho House Foundation is helping us build a future where every young artist can share their unique vision, connect with their community, and inspire others. Together, we’re amplifying voices that deserve to be heard and celebrating the power of diversity in the arts.’
‘We are incredibly grateful for The Soho House Foundation’s support, which brings
strength to our BIPOC Artist in Residence Program and youth-led art shows. This grant allows us to provide young artists with the tools, space, and encouragement they need to let their creativity shine. By directly investing in the growth and expression of these talented voices, The Soho House Foundation is helping us build a future where every young artist can share their unique vision, connect with their community, and inspire others. Together, we’re amplifying voices that deserve to be heard and celebrating the power of diversity in the arts.’
UD Music
London (UK)
2024 grant programme
Bringing communities together around Black music culture, UD Music runs events, artist development and employment support programmes to give young people the resources and space to create and explore their potential. The grant supported UD to run its school outreach, New Youth Access Programme, and Flames Collective programme.
‘Thanks to The Soho House Foundation, we have successfully implemented the Record Label Projects in four schools across Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets, and have been able to broaden our programme at the Talent House to include new entry-level courses in Singing & Performance and Music Production. Both initiatives have enhanced participants’ understanding of music creation and performance, and have boosted their confidence.
‘With the support of The Soho House Foundation funding, we have also seen significant growth in our choir, Flames Collective, with the addition of new members and increased performance opportunities. Notably, the Flames Collective has had the privilege of performing alongside acclaimed artists such as Ed Sheeran, Kojey Radical and six-time BRITs winner RAYE, providing them with paid work experience opportunities.
London (UK)
2024 grant programme
Bringing communities together around Black music culture, UD Music runs events, artist development and employment support programmes to give young people the resources and space to create and explore their potential. The grant supported UD to run its school outreach, New Youth Access Programme, and Flames Collective programme.
‘Thanks to The Soho House Foundation, we have successfully implemented the Record Label Projects in four schools across Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets, and have been able to broaden our programme at the Talent House to include new entry-level courses in Singing & Performance and Music Production. Both initiatives have enhanced participants’ understanding of music creation and performance, and have boosted their confidence.
‘With the support of The Soho House Foundation funding, we have also seen significant growth in our choir, Flames Collective, with the addition of new members and increased performance opportunities. Notably, the Flames Collective has had the privilege of performing alongside acclaimed artists such as Ed Sheeran, Kojey Radical and six-time BRITs winner RAYE, providing them with paid work experience opportunities.
‘It's worth mentioning that 96% of Flames participants come from Black or underrepresented ethnic backgrounds, contributing to a more diverse future music landscape. The funding has allowed us to diversify and expand the opportunities available to talented young people, enriching their experiences and nurturing their potential.’
Watch the ‘Flames Collective Live at Christmas’ show at EartH Theatre on Friday 19 December.
Watch the ‘Flames Collective Live at Christmas’ show at EartH Theatre on Friday 19 December.
ROOTS
Berlin (EU)
2023 grant programme
Through community workshops, ROOTS’ purpose is to harness the empowering aspects of artistic coping strategies to foster personal growth and potential within the BIPOC community.
‘Our work enables people to network, connect, open up doors to underrepresented spaces, bring awareness, exposure, and create paid opportunities for community work. We see the impact in small but powerful ways every day. Through programmes like We Move and We Create, participants have built friendships, started collaborations, and even found new career paths.
‘Through our creative workshops, participants discover new skills, express emotions and feel supported in a way that many said they rarely experience elsewhere. People are carrying the confidence, creativity, and coping tools from these sessions into their daily lives, forming new friendships, collaborations, and opportunities. It’s not just about the workshops themselves, but about planting seeds for growth, self-expression, and mutual support that last far beyond a single session.
‘Looking ahead, we see ROOTS not just as a series of workshops, but as a living, evolving community that empowers BIPOC in Berlin every day.’
Berlin (EU)
2023 grant programme
Through community workshops, ROOTS’ purpose is to harness the empowering aspects of artistic coping strategies to foster personal growth and potential within the BIPOC community.
‘Our work enables people to network, connect, open up doors to underrepresented spaces, bring awareness, exposure, and create paid opportunities for community work. We see the impact in small but powerful ways every day. Through programmes like We Move and We Create, participants have built friendships, started collaborations, and even found new career paths.
‘Through our creative workshops, participants discover new skills, express emotions and feel supported in a way that many said they rarely experience elsewhere. People are carrying the confidence, creativity, and coping tools from these sessions into their daily lives, forming new friendships, collaborations, and opportunities. It’s not just about the workshops themselves, but about planting seeds for growth, self-expression, and mutual support that last far beyond a single session.
‘Looking ahead, we see ROOTS not just as a series of workshops, but as a living, evolving community that empowers BIPOC in Berlin every day.’
Above left: image by @theoriginalnigisti
Above: image by @theoriginalnigisti
Prison Radio Association
London (UK)
2024 grant programme
Prison Radio Association uses the power of radio and podcasts to support people with lived experience of prison. It runs National Prison Radio – the world’s first national station for people in prison, made by prisoners. Through its diverse programming schedule, it aims to promote a culture of positive change, while acknowledging and addressing the challenges of imprisonment. By supporting people through their sentences, Prison Radio Association aims to reduce reoffending and prepare individuals for life after release.
‘The Soho House Foundation grant funded our traineeship programme for young prison leavers. It allowed us to offer paid work producing and presenting content for National Prison Radio and our podcast Outside In, alongside one-to-one mentoring, portfolio-building, and support in navigating pathways into the creative industries.
‘In the short term, the grant gave trainees tangible opportunities to build skills, work collaboratively, and gain real-world experience in radio and podcast production. In the long term, it has helped open doors to real careers and further education, with 86% of participants going on to secure further work or education opportunities, including one now working alongside Greg James as an assistant producer at the BBC. The programme also reaches thousands of people in prison, providing professionally produced content that motivates, informs, and helps them prepare for life on the outside – all through the voices and experiences of people who have walked the same path.’
Discover more about The Soho House Foundation here
London (UK)
2024 grant programme
Prison Radio Association uses the power of radio and podcasts to support people with lived experience of prison. It runs National Prison Radio – the world’s first national station for people in prison, made by prisoners. Through its diverse programming schedule, it aims to promote a culture of positive change, while acknowledging and addressing the challenges of imprisonment. By supporting people through their sentences, Prison Radio Association aims to reduce reoffending and prepare individuals for life after release.
‘The Soho House Foundation grant funded our traineeship programme for young prison leavers. It allowed us to offer paid work producing and presenting content for National Prison Radio and our podcast Outside In, alongside one-to-one mentoring, portfolio-building, and support in navigating pathways into the creative industries.
‘In the short term, the grant gave trainees tangible opportunities to build skills, work collaboratively, and gain real-world experience in radio and podcast production. In the long term, it has helped open doors to real careers and further education, with 86% of participants going on to secure further work or education opportunities, including one now working alongside Greg James as an assistant producer at the BBC. The programme also reaches thousands of people in prison, providing professionally produced content that motivates, informs, and helps them prepare for life on the outside – all through the voices and experiences of people who have walked the same path.’
Discover more about The Soho House Foundation here