Manchester City Council

People and Communities Your Neighbourhood Fund

Who can apply for funding

Eligible groups:

  • Primarily serve Manchester residents.
  • Be a voluntary, community, faith or CIC organisation or resident‑led group (emerging, new, or established).
  • Have a bank account to receive the fund or has the capacity to receive funds via another voluntary, community or faith group.
  • Have a lead applicant aged 18 or over.

Eligible projects or activities:

  • Must meet one or more of the fund's theme and rules.
  • It takes place within Manchester.
  • Be community-led. Residents and local groups have identified activities based on their own knowledge of opportunities or challenges, and have identified their own ideas to address these.
  • Be free at the point of delivery with no donations requested.
  • Potential to reach residents across the ward and/or specific priority groups as outlined in our Equality strategy.
  • Be short term and delivered within 12 months of approval.

What you can’t get funding for

Some things do not meet the rules for Your Neighbourhood Fund. Read the following before you apply, as we cannot consider applications for any of the following:

  • Projects that do not directly benefit Manchester residents.
  • Projects led by one person rather than a group.
  • Applications led by a business or an established anchor institution (like a university, housing provider, school).
  • Long‑term or ongoing funding.
  • Core funding such as regular staff posts or general running costs.
  • Applications for more than £5,000.
  • Projects that do not align with any of the thematic criteria areas.
  • Projects that only replace existing facilities without clear improvement or community involvement.
  • Projects that are religious or political in nature.
  • Projects that conflict with our Equal Opportunities Policy.
  • Projects that involve alcohol or gambling.
  • Projects that are illegal or poses a health and safety risk.
  • Projects that involve traffic‑calming schemes (e.g. parking permits, CCTV).
  • Projects that improve or benefit privately owned land with no public access, or un‑adopted roads/footpaths.
  • Project that only help one person (such as individual qualifications, counselling, legal advice).

If you are not sure whether your idea meets the rules, email the Neighbourhood Team at: yourneighbourhoodfund@manchester.gov.uk.