THE NATIONAL STUDENT DRAMA FESTIVAL LIMITED
Founded in 1956, NSDF is a unique and precious thing, a charity that has helped generations of talented young people of all backgrounds find their home within the arts. NSDF is for all 16-25 year olds. The Mission of NSDF is simple but vital: to empower and inspire young talent and ambition, to teach skills, to help launch careers and build the audience of tomorrow.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity ended the year with a planned surplus of £2,804 and total unrestricted reserves of £19,517. The trustees report that these reserves represent more than four months of overheads, placing the charity well within its stated reserves policy of holding between three and six months of overhead resources. The charity remains a going concern, with funding from Arts Council England secured until March 2028.
What the accounts disclose
“Grants 'ACE National Portfolio Organisation 58,510”
“The Trustees have established a policy whereby the unrestricted designated contingency fund held by the charity should be between 3 and 6 months of the overhead resources expended.” — page 7
“In addition two Trustees received a fee of £500 each for services provided.” — page 17
Trustees
- Benjamin Canning
- Emma Kendall
- Ishan Sanjay Deshpande
- Javairya Naz Khan
- Layla Madanat
- Lois May Zonnenberg
- Rachel Leipacher
- Stuart Neil Burgess
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/09/2025 | £95k | £92k |
| 30/09/2024 | £94k | £79k |
| 30/09/2023 | £100k | £107k |
| 30/09/2022 | £166k | £214k |
| 30/09/2021 | £219k | £210k |
Common questions
Is THE NATIONAL STUDENT DRAMA FESTIVAL LIMITED financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity ended the year with a planned surplus of £2,804 and total unrestricted reserves of £19,517. The trustees report that these reserves represent more than four months of overheads, placing the charity well within its stated reserves policy of holding between three and six months of overhead resources. The charity remains a going concern, with funding from Arts Council England secured until March 2028. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds THE NATIONAL STUDENT DRAMA FESTIVAL LIMITED?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE NATIONAL STUDENT DRAMA FESTIVAL LIMITED as a grant recipient include THEATRE DEVELOPMENT TRUST, The Ashley Family Foundation, THE NOEL COWARD FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THEATRE DEVELOPMENT TRUST | FY2022 | £25k | To part fund the online festival for promoting opportunities in the sector. |
| THEATRE DEVELOPMENT TRUST | FY2021 | £13k | To part fund the online festival for promoting career opportunities in the sector. |
| The Ashley Family Foundation | FY2022 | £5k | |
| The Ashley Family Foundation | FY2022 | £5k | |
| The Ashley Family Foundation | FY2022 | £5k | |
| THE NOEL COWARD FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £3k | 2022 Festival |
| THEATRE DEVELOPMENT TRUST | FY2023 | £0 | part fund the online festival for promoting career opportunities in the sector |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK government | 13/12/2021 | £58k | National Portfolio Organisations |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 22/12/2006 | £4k | Workshops |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 11/01/2006 | £5k | NSDF06 - Zecora Ura Theatre Residency |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 15/12/2004 | £5k | There is no project name available for this record |