About the MRSF
The Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund is unique. It supports ambitious, talented 15 to 22 year olds to achieve their potential - by funding vital equipment, training and resources to enable them take their next steps to success in Work, Qualifications or Entrepreneurship, via grants of up to £5,000.
We support young people whose family or personal circumstances mean they cannot finance the items they need by themselves. We enable them to overcome some of the financial barriers to progress they face.
In 2023/24, the Fund's third year, we have committed an additional £215,000 to the Fund to provide vital, practical support to young Mancunians who have been impacted so heavily by the Pandemic. Read the latest Rising Stars stories on our blog:
How To Apply
Basic Criteria:
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Aged 15 – 22 (or up to 25 with lived experience of homelessness)
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Applicants need to Live in the City of Manchester 🔗
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Applicants need to have a clear and realistic ambition or goal around employment, education, training or entrepreneurship.
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Applicants need to demonstrate inability to access funds themselves due to personal or family circumstances
Please read the full guidance before you download the application form below. We are very happy to discuss applications before submission – email welovemcrcharity@manchester.gov.uk and we will get back to you to have a chat. We look at applications monthly, click below for deadline dates.
Good luck!
MRSF Guidance
Application
Form
Deadline Dates
Referral Network
There are many brilliant organisations supporting young people across Manchester. We believe that by building the MRSF into their own offer, these organisations can strengthen their offer, build on 'Skills For Life' and further help young people to step up into future success.
We Love MCR works with a number of these organisations through our referral partnership network, to help them identify the right young people to refer to the Fund. We work with youth organisations, universities, colleges and housing providers to provide guidance and support around applications, maximising young people’s chances of success!
To find out more about the referral partnership network and how to join, check out our referral partnership flyer below and email your sign-up form to welovemcrcharity@manchester.gov.uk
Referral Flyer
Sign-up
Form
 The Manchester CollegeThe largest further education college in the UK and the number one provider of 16-19 and adult education in Greater Manchester. |
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 Manchester Youth Zone |
 Manchester Young Lives |
 One Manchester |
 SODA (School Of Digital Arts) |
 SENDCode |
 N-Gage |
 BedspaceBedspace provide vulnerable young people with avenues into secure housing, and provide them with opportunities to develop skills that can improve their situations. |
 Southway Housing |
 City In The Community |
 MAD Youth Theatre |
 Groundwork GM |
 Diane Modahl Sports Foundation |
Past Awardees
We've already awarded hundreds of grants to ambitious young Mancunians since we launched in January 2021. We offer grants from £50 to £5,000, for kit, courses, qualifications and many other things. But whatever form our grants take, one thing never changes - the commitment and ambition of our Rising Stars.
We've selected some old and new Rising Stars below. Read their stories and explore the fields in which our city's future are pursuing and excelling in!
Rising Stars launching own Businesses!
Our Rising Stars include young entrepreneurs – people who want to grow their own business or service in order to succeed. Our Fund pays for the materials and support they need to get started. Wherever possible we also provide extra support in the form of coaching and mentorship.
The next big thing we can offer our budding business Stars is CUSTOMERS! Click the button below to explore our Directory of businesses created by our Stars.
And here’s a showcase of some Stars’ businesses, with links to their work and business emails if you wish to explore their portfolio. Please support and share their details – as they grow, they can take on more young people and share their successes!
