Figurative is delighted to announce it has been officially registered as an independent charity by Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Previously a not-for-profit, Figurative – which launched in August 2024 – is dedicated to advancing impact, investment and innovation in the cultural and creative sector (CCS) for public benefit.
The new charitable status, effective from 15th July 2025, marks a significant milestone in Figurative’s evolution.
Figurative supports the sector in four key ways:
- Attracting new investment to the CCS by raising and managing new social investment funds and supporting the sector to diversify its funding streams and networks.
- Encouraging philanthropic giving to the sector, helping cultural organisations and supporters develop local partnerships.
- We make the case for impact investment and continuing innovation in the sector to funders, policy makers and the public, nationally and internationally, through research and advocacy.
- Serving as a centre of excellence for arts and impact, helping organisations monitor and articulate their impact and exploring how social and environmental goals can be supported by responsible finance.
Investees include Birmingham Royal Ballet, The National Holocaust Centre and Museum, Saffron Hall, Royal Shakespeare Company, Soho Theatre and many more. Figurative also engages in international research, advocacy and advisory work.
Richard Brass, Chair of Figurative Board of Trustees, says: “We’re proud to have achieved charitable status, which represents a major step forward for Figurative. It will reinforce our commitment to serving the cultural and creative sector with integrity and purpose, and at the same time strengthen our ability to attract core funding and support. We believe this new chapter will help us make an even greater impact.”
Fran Sanderson, CEO, Figurative says: “From the first conception of Figurative, we were determined to be a not-for-profit, so our mission is central to our activities and transparent to our stakeholders, including the sector we serve. While being constituted as charity is unusual for a financial intermediary, where core capital is a vital requirement, we are delighted to have made it onto the charity register. We are immensely grateful to the Commission for their hard work in assessing our innovative proposition.”
Figurative incorporates Arts & Culture Finance (ACF), previously part of Nesta, and New Philanthropy for Arts & Culture (NPAC). It has been supported by flagship sector funders including Arts Council England, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Impact investment wholesaler Better Society Capital is among the investors in its funds.
Figurative’s Arts & Culture Impact Fund is open to applications. The Arts & Culture Impact Fund is an impact investment fund for socially-driven arts, culture and heritage organisations registered and operating in the UK. The fund offers loans between £150,000 and £1 million repayable until 2032. For more information please visit the Arts & Culture Impact Fund page.
Figurative is developing a proposal to apply a blended capital solution to the enormous funding gap for decarbonisation initiatives across the UK’s cultural asset base.
Figurative is seeking partnerships from across the cultural and creative, financial, impact and other sectors to develop innovative new funds, programmes and initiatives. Interested organisations can contact hello@figurative.org.uk
