The Achates Philanthropy Prize Returns for 2026
We are delighted to share that the Achates Philanthropy Prize will return in 2026, with Achates proud to support the Prize once again as the headline sponsor!
Delivered by the Cultural Philanthropy Foundation, the Achates Philanthropy Prize is the only national campaign celebrating first-time support for culture and championing the idea that cultural philanthropy belongs to everyone.
At a time when the cultural sector is facing increasing financial pressure and widening inequality in access to private giving, the return of the Prize marks an important moment for the sector.
The Prize celebrates first-time supporters of cultural organisations across two categories:
• Individual Philanthropy Award
• Corporate Award
Nominations for the 2026 Prize will open later this month, with the shortlist announced in September.
The Awards will be presented at the annual Thought Leadership Lecture at the Southbank Centre on 18 November 2026.
The Prize is more than an award. Everyone who nominates is a winner as it is also a national campaign supporting cultural sector charities to raise awareness of their charitable status, the need for support, and the value and impact of their work.
At the heart is the belief that anyone can be a cultural philanthropist. All nominees will receive access to tools and resources designed to support them in sharing these messages with their audiences and communities.
At Achates, we’re committed to supporting resilience with integrity across the sector. We’re proud to support an initiative which champions generosity, broadens participation in cultural giving, and raises awareness that donations of all scales matter.
We encourage all cultural sector charities to get involved and help contribute to this important national conversation about the future of cultural philanthropy.
To mark the Prize’s return, the Cultural Philanthropy Foundation has also published a new positioning paper, The Art of Giving: Why Cultural Philanthropy Matters and How to Strengthen It.
The Art of Giving is an evidence-based paper drawing on key academic research into donor motivation, fundraising practice and the barriers that continue to limit cultural giving in the UK.
