I think in today’s world young musicians need the kind of special help and support the BBT is giving to so many people. For me, it has been a very generous help without which some projects would not have been possible … I have a huge admiration for what BBT has done, are doing, and will do in the future. BBT’s generosity and enthusiasm is greatly needed and appreciated by all.

Alina Ibragimova (Award 2008)

The support of BBT was vital to CLS at a time when our work in communities was increasingly becoming the driving force behind our whole creative outlook. Having such a prestigious supporter of music who valued this work in the same way as we do, and wanted to work with us in partnership, has enabled us to expand our community scope, even during a difficult time for all musicians and the communities they work in.

City of London Sinfonia (Community Grant 2018)

The Borletti-Buitoni Trust is a registered charity that for over 20 years has been helping many of the most talented young classical musicians to develop their international careers. The Trust has to date supported over 200 artists, from instrumentalists and singers to chamber ensembles, with a bespoke programme of tailor-made projects, counsel, network-building and financial assistance. Over the years, BBT’s artists have collaborated with over 45 composers to create over 55 newly-commissioned works that have refreshed and extended the repertoire; have between them recorded over 100 new albums, that feature regularly on radio stations and drive playlists across the world; and have strengthened the classical music sector in countless other ways.

In more recent years, BBT has supported over 20 charitable organisations to deliver inspiring projects that harness the joy and healing power of classical music to improve the well-being and social engagement of marginalised communities throughout the world; and in 2025 we launched a new initiative, our inaugural Artist Encore Awards, conceived to support BBT alumni artists to devise and deliver personal classical music projects that tackle societal issues or inequalities in the communities where they live and work.

From the start, the Trust has been built on partnership-working, as we seek to build and sustain ongoing relationships – beyond the artists and organisations we support – with the complex network of wider artists, composers, agents, publishers, orchestras, opera companies, recording labels, presenters and promoters, broadcasters, consultants and funders who work together to nurture a forward-looking, thriving classical music industry for the benefit artists and audiences alike. Over more than two decades we have built up a rich and strong network, which we enthusiastically extend to the artists and organisations that we are supporting, for mutual benefit.

There is much more that BBT can do, and we are always looking to identify and work with like-minded people and organisations who share our values and ambitions for a positive, thriving sector. We have a strong track record of success, and there is always an ongoing stream of projects ready to go. We pride ourselves on being a small, friendly, efficient and professional foundation, perfectly placed to work with donors and supporters to make things happen in personal and engaging ways. We take much joy in doing things differently.

As well as the generosity of our founding patron, we also welcome the goodwill of others who recognise the value of what we are doing.

Donations and legacies reinforce our work in recognising the importance of nurturing young talent to become classical music’s next generation, and in supporting wider communities through the transformative power of classical music. To find out more, or to have a conversation about how you can help, please contact BBT Chief Executive, Toby Smith here.