We Love MCR Charity are proud to announce the launch of a brand-new online application platform for 2024/25, designed to improve the user experience for applicants accessing our funds.
All applications to our two core funding programmes - the Stronger Communities Fund and the Manchester Rising Stars Fund - will now be received through the platform as of 1st May 2024.
The driving force behind this change was our Grants Manager, Marie O'Neill-Steinegger, who says:
“We hope this platform will give applicants to the charity a much better experience when applying to us for support.
We know the platform will bring many benefits to the groups and young people who apply to our funds - including being able to work on applications in real time, collaborate with others to help them prepare applications, and upload supporting documents with ease.
We can’t wait to see all the amazing community groups and inspirational young people who will make applications to us this year!”
To go with this step forward for the charity, we are thrilled to announce a fresh allocation of funds to our programmes for the upcoming financial year.
Trustees have agreed to commit £200,000 to local community groups through our Stronger Communities Fund, building on the £189,000 we awarded in 2023 to a record 56 projects across the city!
Groups can apply for up to £4,000 to support projects that fit into one or more of our 4 themes: 1) Protecting and improving open spaces, 2) Positive youth activities, 3) Helping in the early years and 4) Reducing loneliness and isolation.
Furthermore, Trustees have also committed £150,000 to support our city’s young people through our Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund, which changed the lives of 74 young people in 2023 alone.
We welcome applications to the Fund from ambitious, young Mancunians who need resources or equipment to surpass financial barriers and support their ambitions around education, work or self-employment - items and opportunities that they would not be able to access without our financial support.
Our full eligibility criteria and deadline dates to apply to both funds are on our website. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions about applying to either fund at welovemcrcharity@manchester.gov.uk.