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 2024/25, the Fund's third year, we have committed an additional £150,000 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
We receive applications to the fund through our online platform, click the link below to apply!
APPLY TO THE RISING STARS FUND
If you have any issues with the platform, please contact: welovemcrcharity@manchester.gov.uk
Please read the full guidance below before you apply through our online system. We look at applications monthly, check the grants platform for the deadline dates for 2024.
Good luck!
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
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!
Testimonials
Messages from our Rising Stars
Mariam, Rising Star
"All the years I have been in education, my main fear was not being able to afford the tools I need to be successful in university.
I couldn't be more thankful to We Love MCR for their generous award, allowing me to support my family every way I can."
Olivia, Rising Star
"I’d like to thank the We Love MCR Charity for instilling hope in the young people of our city.
The Manchester Rising Stars Fund is the future and I hope that people are inspired by the work they’re doing."
Abdi, Rising Star
"I want to say a huge thank you to We Love MCR Charity for being so generous and taking a chance on me.
Being awarded this grant for professional photographic equipment will push my work and creative practice further!"