Philanthropy and membership

Corps donors give to the and enjoy a customised package of exclusive benefits, including complimentary tickets to performances, invitations to visit the School and watch class, recognition opportunities, and regular opportunities to meet the Upper School students.

• Esprit de Corps | starting at £1,000
• Corps de Ballet | starting at £5,000

We welcome Centennial donors to direct their impact to one or more programme areas vital to The Royal Ballet School’s mission, based on their own giving interests. For support of £100,000 and above, we take a bespoke approach to engagement and acknowledgement opportunities.

• Centenary Circle | starting at £100,000
• Centenary Partner | starting at £250,000
• Centenary Funder | starting at £500,000

Through annual gifts of £10,000 or more, Circle donors play a critical role in the success of The Royal Ballet School. Circle donors have the choice of giving to the Centenary Fund, Stage Fund or Student Fund.

To recognise and thank you for your partnership, we offer the opportunity to develop a long-lasting, meaningful relationship with the School through a variety of enhanced benefits.

• Patron’s Circle | starting at £10,000
• Director’s Circle | starting at £20,000
• Chair’s Circle | starting at £30,000
• Grand Tier | starting at £50,000

Etoiles giving starts at £1,000,000. To discuss supporting at this level, please contact Kristin Martin at [email protected].

The School has endured many years of standstill funding from the Department for Education, during which time the costs of training and educating our dancers have continued to rise. This has left an ever-increasing shortfall. Over £1 million must be raised in unrestricted general donations each year, which are deployed where they are most needed.

Our General Fund is essential and meets the core costs of running one of the world’s greatest ballet schools. This includes running our state-of-the-art studios, facilities and accommodation, funding our world-leading healthcare programme, salaries for teachers and other expert staff, and safely maintaining our historic estate.

All donors who support the General Fund receive annual impact reports showcasing the work made possible to secure a robust financial future as the School enters its second century in 2026.

The Royal Ballet School invests in the best real-world opportunities for students to reach their full potential. This means staging performances to large live audiences from age 11, employing the best guest teachers, directors and répétiteurs, and nurturing each dancer’s unique creative impulse with our Ninette de Valois Choreographic Programme.

Through performing, students understand how to transform ballet vocabulary into a magical, exhilarating experience for an audience, and practice preparing – physically and mentally – for the main stages of the world. At the end of the academic year, a season of performances takes place at Opera Holland Park, the Linbury Theatre and on the main stage of the Royal Opera House, accompanied by a full orchestra.

The Artistic Director sources classical and contemporary repertoire to showcase the skills of the students at the various stages of their development, ranging from heritage ballet to more recently created works. The School also commissions new works from established and emerging choreographers who work collaboratively with the students in the School’s studios.

As a generous Stage Fund supporter, we will provide you with regular updates on student performance opportunities, curated communications on the work of the School, and opportunities to watch the students on their learning journeys.

For information on ways to give, including tax-efficient giving from both inside the UK and beyond, please visit Make a donation.

Admission to the School is needs-blind and based solely on artistic merit and potential in classical ballet. No student should be deterred from applying and no gifted dancer is turned away from the School due to a lack of financial means.

Around 90% of our current full-time students rely on some form of financial support to attend the School. One in six comes from families with a household income of less than £15,000 per annum, and over a third from families with an income of under £40,000.

As a generous Student Fund supporter, we will  provide you with regular updates on the progress of our Upper School students, curated communications on the work of the School, and opportunities to watch the students on their learning journeys.

The Endowment Fund provides the School with a vital source of regular income. The fund is overseen by Trustees who ensure donations are used wisely to make a real and lasting difference and in accordance with the donor’s wishes. If unspecified, they will ensure the gift is used where the need is greatest.

By donating and becoming part of The Royal Ballet School’s story, you will help the next generation of dancers to fulfil their potential, and secure the future of the art form.

Endowment Fund registered charity no: 285766.