Tramlines in the Community

In 2025, Tramlines raised £58,000 in funding for local and national projects, continuing our support for community initiatives through the Tramlines Trust and other partnerships. The festival has now raised over £319,000 for charity since moving to Hillsborough Park in 2018.

Rooted in Sheffield, powered by community /

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Tramlines Trust

The Tramlines Trust was created to give back to the communities and culture at the heart of the festival. It builds on Tramlines’ ongoing fundraising and donations, making it easier for grassroots projects, local groups, and individuals to access support.

Since launching in 2022, the Trust has awarded over £120,000 in funding to Sheffield-based organisations.

The Tramlines Trust is a micro trust of GivingWorks, a UK-registered charity (No. 1078870).

You can support its work by donating through our JustGiving page here.

Who The Trust Supports

The Tramlines Trust awards grants (usually up to £500) to projects and organisations that align with our four key pillars:

Future Generations Projects that inspire and engage young people, offering insight or experience in music, events, or the creative industries.

Local Community Initiatives that enhance, educate, or support the lives of people across Sheffield.

People and the Planet Organisations improving lives or raising awareness around key social and environmental issues — from mental health to homelessness and sustainability.

South Yorkshire’s Arts and Culture Projects that promote and celebrate the region’s vibrant music, arts, and creative scene.

Organisations supported by the Tramlines Trust in 2025 include: Burton Street Foundation, ASSIST Sheffield, Saffron Sheffield, Zest, FareShare Yorkshire, Steelers Healers, England Netball, Jude and the Book Factory, Under the Stars, Bloom Sheffield, A Mind Apart Theatre Company, FURD, Wisewood Girls Football U14s, The Riva Project, Royal Mencap Society, Rudyard Road Area Residents and Friends, Christ Church Hackenthorpe, Music in the Round, Cartoon Drawing Club, Sheffield Mencap and Gateway, Holme Lane Community Garden, Sapphire Project Organisation, Hillsborough Arena Sports Association, Roundabout, Sheffield Young Carers, Re-Gen Hijama and Therapy, Meynell Primary School, Southey Green Primary School and Nursery, Sheffield Music School, The Endcliffe Orchestra, Sheffield Youth Orchestra, St Vincent’s Furniture Project, Sheffield Samaritans, Hillsborough Together CIC, Soundpost Community Network, Sacred Heart School, Out of the Archive CIC, Support Dogs, Tapton School Academy Trust, South Yorkshire Visually Impaired Tennis Club, Disability Sheffield and S12 Community Pantry.

Apply For Funding

You don’t need to be a registered charity or established organisation — individuals and new community groups are also welcome to apply.

Before applying, please read our Funding Application Guidance in full. Applications for Tramlines Trust 2025 have now closed, however keep an eye out for the 2026 Applications in Spring 2026.

Work In The Community

Hillsborough Park is the proud home of Tramlines, and we work closely with Sheffield City Council and local residents to keep the park safe, welcoming and thriving green space.

In 2024, Tramlines funded a new avenue of 11 lime trees in collaboration with Sheffield City Council Community Forestry. These will create a visible positive impact on the park for years to come. Over £600 was fundraised for Hillsborough Park via ticket donations in 2025, funds which will contribute towards a new bench for all residents to enjoy.

Since 2019, Tramlines has also partnered with Hillsborough Primary School on a creative tea towel project, the proceeds of which have supported new outdoor areas, green spaces and reading corners within the school. We’re hugely grateful to the Hillsborough community for their continued support and collaboration, helping us make both the festival and its home even better each year.

Promotion Of The Arts

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Apply To Play

Apply to Play gives emerging artists the chance to earn a paid slot at Tramlines and beyond. Since 2018, 56 acts have joined the lineup through the scheme, handpicked with partners like BBC Introducing and Radio X’s John Kennedy.

To learn more about the 2026 competition, please visit our Apply to Play page here.

Love Local

Supporting homegrown talent sits at the heart of Tramlines. Since 2018, nearly 300 Sheffield and South Yorkshire artists have played across our stages, from The Sarah Nulty Main Stage to The Leadmill Stage.

Through partnerships with projects like Pattern + Push and Slambarz, we help young creatives develop their craft, perform live, and take the next step in their music careers with – often leading to recording deals and industry opportunities.

The Leadmill

Each year, Tramlines celebrates the spirit of The Leadmill, Sheffield’s legendary live music hub, by shining a spotlight on local talent through the Leadmill Stage.

For years in true Leadmill style, rising artists and bands have been handpicked to perform in front of thousands on the iconic stage, keeping the venue’s proud tradition of showcasing Northern talent and keeping the soul and spirit of live music alive.

Charity Ticket Packages

Tramlines donates hundreds of tickets every year to local charities including Tickets for Good and Sheffield Young Carers. Tickets for Good offers NHS workers and charity members the chance to experience live music at little to no cost, while Sheffield Young Carers gives young people a rare break from their caring responsibilities – a day to relax, have fun, and feel part of the Tramlines community.

Music Charity Performances

Tramlines proudly supports musical charities who share our belief in the power of performance.

Each year, Under the Stars opens The Open Arms stage with an original show led by musicians with learning disabilities, while Paces School Band – a Sheffield charity supporting those with Cerebral Palsy – has performed live to a packed festival crowd, showcasing incredible talent and spirit on stage.

Little Hillsborough

Tramlines is excited to welcome local businesses back to trade at this year’s festival through our Little Hillsborough initiative. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your products or services to 40,000 festival-goers, all of whom love supporting local.

Even if you’re unsure whether your business is a perfect fit, we encourage you to apply – you might be surprised at what a festival crowd will enjoy! Applications for 2026 will open in the Spring.

"I’ve always loved having Tramlines in Hillsborough Park - it creates a buzz and brings real exposure to local businesses. Trading inside the festival was an amazing opportunity for my small business, and I was thrilled with how well it went!"

Annie Jude’s, Little Hillsborough Trader

Our Green Pledge

Tramlines is a three day party for thousands of attendees each year however it’s our responsibility as a festival to ensure we are working to maximise the ways in which our event makes a positive impact, whilst reducing the negative impacts on Hillsborough Park, the environment and the community.

Events have positive economic and social benefits to society, and should be valued as such, but we do recognise that events inevitably have an impact on our immediate surroundings and the planet.

We are working hard to reduce these impacts, you can read more below on how we’re doing this and what you can do to help!