£100k Community Fund launched for Greater Manchester

We're looking for charities and community organisations to apply for a huge, new £100,000 fund to support great work in Greater Manchester! 

Local groups can apply to the fund to help community projects of all types, they just need to benefit their group or local area. Grassroots organisations that help people get into work by providing employment directly or helping with training will be strongly encouraged. There will also be a special focus on organisations that promote diversity and inclusion. 

The fund has been launched in partnership with Forever Manchester with £30,000 available now until the end of 2025, and the remaining funds will be allocated over the next three years. 

We're excited to launch the fund alongside returning to the high street in Manchester city centre. We've pledged to open branches, provide accessible financial advice and build deep community relationships. A place for meaningful conversations, our flagship branch will include community space for local groups to use for free! 

Our CEO, Andrew Haigh said: 

“We’re committed to making a difference and improving lives throughout Greater Manchester by creating a welcoming and accessible branch space and providing meaningful support for our local communities. In addition to this one-off donation of £100,000 to Forever Manchester, going forward we aim to support the work of Forever Manchester through donations from our Group’s Community Fund.

“You might be trying to transform a local neighbourhood, a charity supporting young people with CV and interview clinics, or a community group providing resources and equipment for those looking to develop their skills. If so, we want to hear from you!”

Applications will be judged by a panel made up of community funding specialists from Forever Manchester and community ambassador colleagues from Manchester Building Society. 

Forever Manchester has a proven track record of raising money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester, and we can't wait to work with them. They support a huge range of activities that help young people, older people and disabled people,. as well as addressing homelessness, funding sports clubs and supporting environmental, education and employability projects.