I'm starting to see more CDs where the release was either a grant from a Trust or gift from such and such.... wonder if is a trend?
Actually, I believe it's more prevalent than one might think. In particular, many of Albany Records' releases have been issued only due to outside funding paying the recording costs, or providing an existing master from a private source. Whenever we see a corporate or government logo on a CD case, it indicates some level of sponsorship for the recording, if not in its entirity. Many CDs released in Latvia owe their existence to these sponsorships (sometimes even multiple sponsorships). And then, of course, we have societies devoted to promoting particular composers raising funds to enable releases -- the Havergal Brian Society, for example.
I think we're getting to the point where very few classical labels are able or willing to risk undertaking major recording projects completely on their own.
Also, every once in a while I see notices of planned recording projects with subscription schemes to guarantee a return on the investment in the recording. I wouldn't be surprised if this approach, along with online crowdfunding, becomes more commonplace in the future.
case in point.. the Atterberg cycle on Chandos sponsored by Volvo. Several new Estonian CDs sponsored partly by several organizations including the ERR (public or State TV) Estonian Min of Culture... several banks...