The Elgar Society was founded in 1951 and was registered as a charity on 22 January 1988. The society seeks to promote performance of Elgar’s music, especially the more rarely performed items. It is particularly concerned with introducing the composer and his music to younger audiences and, by making grants to appropriate educational activities, to enhance the quality of life of members of the public. It also supports the Elgar Birthplace Museum with an annual grant with the objective of widening accessibility to the location and its contents and encouraging research.