The Global Voice for Women in Music
EMPOWERING WOMEN CELEBRATING CREATIVITY RESHAPING MUSIC
_For centuries, women’s voices in music have been silenced, overlooked, or forgotten. Not because they lacked talent, but because they lacked opportunity. Talent is genderless. Opportunities are not. Help us change that._
## **A Message from Our Founder**
I started the Donne Foundation because I wanted to do my part as an artist to ensure that women’s voices in music - past and present - were heard, celebrated, and able to inspire future generations.
What began as a passion project has grown into a global movement, uncovering the extraordinary contributions of women in music while challenging an industry that has overlooked them for too long.
Today, we exist to create meaningful, systemic change in the music world by raising awareness, educating, and building a more equitable ecosystem for women in music now as well as the future generation of artists.
We believe that music can be a powerful tool of literacy, confidence, and imagination. When young people encounter diverse role models and histories, they see new possibilities for themselves.
From grassroots learning to global partnerships, we are rewriting the narrative - not repeating it. Together with visionary partners, we can ensure that the future of music is one of inclusion, opportunity, and true representation.
I invite you to stand with us to champion voices too long silenced, enrich our shared cultural experience, and help shape a world where every musician, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to be heard.
**Gabriella Di Laccio MBE Founder & Artistic Director Donne Foundation**
## About
## The Global Voice for Women in Music
Founded by award-winning soprano and passionate advocate Gabriella Di Laccio MBE, the Donne Foundation leads a global movement to amplify women’s voices in music.
From building the world’s largest database of women composers to breaking a Guinness World Record and partnering with iconic institutions like the Royal Albert Hall, we are reshaping the music industry to celebrate and elevate women’s talent.
Through advocacy, connection, and empowerment, we invite you to join us in creating a more equitable and inspiring future for music.
In addition to our advocacy and partnerships, the Donne Foundation publishes groundbreaking data on gender inequities in music. Our research, featured in The New York Times and BBC World Service, continues to inspire conversations and drive change across the industry.
At the heart of the Donne Foundation is a belief that **true equality will only be achieved when women have equal opportunities to create, perform, and lead.**
_Women have always been 50% of the population —_ _**but occupy just 0.5% of recorded history.**_ Dr Bettany Hughes
## **A WORLD WHERE EVERY VOICE IS HEARD**
For centuries, we have been listening to a musical world that has left half of humanity out of the story.
From concert halls to classrooms, from streaming platforms to the data training the next generation of AI, the soundscape we inherit overwhelmingly echoes the voices of men. **Over 90% of the music composed, taught, and recorded throughout history has been by men** .
This isn’t just an oversight, **it’s a cultural silence.** And it shapes what we are all listening to and what our children believe is possible. The Donne Foundation exists to change that.
## **OUR APPROACH**
We work to rebalance the sound of the future by championing women in music, reshaping music education, and transforming what the world hears and values. Our approach targets four critical conditions:
## **Cultural Visibility:**
Women-authored work must be consistently taught, performed, and valued.
## **Industry Accountability:**
Institutions must adopt inclusive practices and track progress.
## **Educational Equity:**
Curriculum and instruction must reflect the full diversity of musical contributions.
## **Infrastructure for Change:**
Sustainable systems, resources, and networks must support equity at scale.
A simple premise guides every effort: **change occurs when people learn to hear what has been silenced and act to amplify it.**
## **Donne Foundation – Annual Report 2023/2024**
## Charity Name: **Donne Foundation Registered Charity Number:** 1191758
**Address:** 9, Hogarth Close, London W5 2JT
**Trustees:** Cheryll Rogers, Claudia Quinonez, Claire Gevaux, Gabriella Di Laccio, Islée Oliva Salinas, Kahwa Douoghih, Lucy Noble, Louise Gardner, Metka Potocnik
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
The organisation is led by its founder, Gabriella Di Laccio MBE, with the support of the trustees. The Donne Foundation is a UK-registered charitable organisation dedicated to creating more opportunities for women in music. It is governed by a Board of Trustees, who are responsible for strategy, oversight, and compliance. Trustees are recruited through personal networks, recommendations, and open calls where appropriate, with particular attention to relevant expertise, diversity, and alignment with the charity’s mission.
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
Our vision is a musical world in which women are seen, heard, and celebrated for their talent. We advance women in music by:
- Creating performance opportunities across all musical genres. Building supportive networks and communities.
- Amplifying women’s voices and achievements.
- Developing initiatives that expand access to education and industry connections.
## **Achievements and Performance 2023/2024**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
In 2023/24, the Donne Foundation delivered a wide range of impactful activities, including:
## Breaking a **Guinness World Record with Let Her Music Play™,** the
- longest acoustic live-streamed concert dedicated exclusively to music by women and non-binary composers.
Launching the **Equality & Diversity in Global Repertoire Report** at the Elgar Room, Royal Albert Hall.
Publishing two research reports: **Film Scores by Women Composers** Online and **Equality & Diversity in Conducting.**
Hosting **3 concerts at the Elgar Room** in partnership with the Royal Albert Hall.
Presenting the Black and Classical Concert at the RSA.
- Expanding **The Big List,** now the largest database of women composers and songwriters worldwide.
- Curating **Apple Music playlists** dedicated to women composers, reaching a growing global audience.
These activities demonstrate our commitment to public benefit, raising awareness, and creating opportunities for underrepresented voices in music.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
For the year 2023/24, the charity’s income was less than £25,000. The Foundation has no debts. While no formal reserves policy is currently in place, the trustees are mindful of maintaining prudent financial management to safeguard future activities.
Full accounts attached separately.
## **CUSTODIAN TRUSTEE**
The Donne Foundation did not act as a custodian trustee during the year.
**Founder** Gabriella Di Laccio MBE
Donne Foundatioin UK Registered Charity No: 1191758
## **FOLLOW US**
**Board of Trustees** Cheryll Rogers Claire Gevaux Claudia Quinonez Islée Oliva Salinas Kahwa Douoguih Louise Gardner Lucy Noble Metka Potočnik
www.donne-uk.org info@donne-uk.org #LetHerMusicPlay
@donnefoundation @donneuk
@donne_uk
Charity Registration Number: 1191758 (England and Wales)
## **Donne Foundation**
Accounts Report and Unaudited Financial Statements For the Year 2[nd] November 2023 to 1[st] November 2024
Donne Foundation
Charity Registration Number: 1191758
|**Contents**||
|---|---|
|Charity Information|1|
|Income and Expenditure Account|2|
|Balance Sheet|3|
Donne Foundation
Charity Registration Number: 1191758
## **Charity Information**
**Trustees** :
Cheryll Rogers Claire Gevaux Claudia Quinonez Gabriela Job Di Laccio Islée Oliva Salinas Kahwa Douoguih Louise Garner Lucy Noble Metka Potočnik
**Registered Office Address** : 9 Hogarth Close London W5 2JT
**Charity Registration Number** : 1191758
The Donne Foundation makes positive change and addresses gender inequality in music. We celebrate and promote women who made and are still making a difference to our society to ensure there are more role models for future generations. We do that by creating events, educational material, a rich multimedia platform, which provides valuable resources including the biggest database of women composers.
**Website:** www.donne-uk.org
Donne Foundation
Charity Registration Number: 1191758
Page 1of 3
## **Income and Expenditure Account for Year Ended 1[st] November 2024**
|**Income**
Income from donations and fundraising
activities
**Expenditure**
Costs of generating income
Charitable activities
**Retained funds for the year**|**2024**
**£**
£18,775
**£18,775**
£19,454
**£19,454**
**(£679)**
|**2023**
**£**
£5,377|
|---|---|---|
|||£5,377
£5,712|
|||**£5,712**|
|||**(£ 335)**|
Donne Foundation
## Charity Registration Number: 1191758
Page 2 of 3
## **Balance Sheet at 01[st] November 2024**
|**Fixed assets**
Tangible fixed assets
**Current assets**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Capital and reserves**
Retained funds|**2024**
**£**
0.00
**0.00**
£41
**£41**
£41
**£41**|**2023**
**£**
0.00|
|---|---|---|
|||**0.00**
£720|
|||**£720**|
|||£720|
|||**£720**|