Young Manchester

Young Manchester is a youth-led charitable partnership established in 2016, dedicated to strengthening, connecting, and championing opportunities for children and young people aged 0-25 in Manchester, with a focus on those facing poverty, exclusion, disability, or social disadvantage—where 45% of children live in poverty. Founded with investment from Manchester City Council and #iwillFund, it embodies a collaborative ethos as an umbrella for over 120 member organisations, including grassroots groups and major institutions. Its youth-led governance, featuring young trustees and participatory decision-making, drives values of empowerment, systems change, youth voice, and equitable access, prioritising holistic development in life skills, education, employability, health, wellbeing, and social action.

The funder supports projects in youth social action, play and recreation, mental health, advocacy, education, and employability, targeting marginalised Manchester youth through direct services like clubs, volunteering, and creative programmes that build confidence and independence. Grants go to voluntary, community, social enterprise, or faith-based groups (UK-registered charities preferred) based in or serving Manchester residents, with a preference for organisations with £50,000–£1m turnover that demonstrate meaningful youth leadership in design and delivery; applicants cannot request over 50% of annual income or £500,000 over three years.

Typical grants range from £5,000–£50,000 annually, covering project funding, core costs, and capacity building via two-stage applications (Expression of Interest first, then full proposals). Rolling programmes review monthly (decisions in 4–6 weeks), with the next major EOI deadline 27 June 2025. Exclusions include capital expenditure, religious activities, and pass-through funding; its distinctives lie in participatory grant-making, local systems advocacy, and amplifying collective impact for over 15,000 young people weekly.