The Thomas Devlin Fund

Purpose of the Fund:

The Thomas Devlin Fund has now re-opened for 2026 for applications from gifted young people, aged 15 to 19 years, who would like to study, or pursue a career, in creative arts, performing arts or music. The fund was set up in memory of Thomas Devlin who, at the age of 15, was murdered in an unprovoked attack in 2005.

The Fund provides an annual bursary scheme to support the development of applicants with a particular talent in their chosen career path of either music, performing arts or creative arts (including fine arts and literary art), to financially assist them to develop their skills and knowledge and help them move up to the next level in their journey.

Over the last eighteen years the bursaries have supported 125 young people in a range of diverse activities, including:

• Assisting an aspiring young artist to attend Arts College in London to pursue a career in Art & Design as well as Photography;
• Funding a young girl to attend a Prosthetics and Special Effects Makeup summer school for a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with a top Hollywood makeup artist;
• Assisting a local dancer hoping to work with the Birmingham Royal Ballet;
• Funding living costs in London so a recipient could take part in a summer National Youth Theatre production;
• Attending a 2-week residential cello course in Minnesota;
• Assisting a young girl to attend The Amy Geddis fiddle course in Scotland

2026 Round of applications

In 2026, the Fund will offer grants of up to £1,750 to young people, aged between 15-19, who would like to study or pursue a career in any one of the three categories of creative arts, performing arts, and music.

The Fund would particularly welcome innovative creative arts projects (including fine arts and literary art).

Fund Aims:

The aim of the Fund’s bursary scheme is to fund unique opportunities and activities above and beyond the ordinary, that will stimulate, encourage and inspire the young beneficiaries to enhance their prospects for their future and succeed in their particular field. We are particularly interested in supporting young people who may not have access to such opportunities.

The Fund will not support:

• Equipment costs
• Mobile app design/development or games design/development
• Formal tuition fees

If this is you, you will need to demonstrate the following, within the application form:

• Prospect for development of your potential
• Your need for financial assistance – *please note that all personal information provided around your specific need will remain confidential and will require to be evidenced by way of a reference from your teacher/tutor/youth or support worker. We strongly encourage your referee to support your application and clearly articulate why you should receive a bursary.
• How the award will make a difference to your own life and to others in your community.

The application form should be completed by both yourself and your teacher/tutor/youth or support worker and submitted to the Community Foundation by the closing date:  Thursday 5th March 2026 at 1:00pm.

Please note that incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

In 2025 the success rate for applications to this fund was 64%.

If you require any help with this application, please email applications@communityfoundationni.org or phone 02890245927