Lord Mayor Of Manchester's Charity Appeal Trust

Charity Number: 1066972

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

Stay updated on changes from Lord Mayor Of Manchester's Charity Appeal Trust and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £350,000+ (2024/25 commitments: £150,000 Rising Stars, £200,000 Stronger Communities)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Monthly review cycle
  • Grant Range: £50 - £5,000
  • Geographic Focus: City of Manchester only

Contact Details

Website: www.welovemcrcharity.org

Email: welovemcrcharity@manchester.gov.uk

Phone: 0161 234 3229

Address: We Love MCR Charity, Lord Mayor's Suite, Room 412, Town Hall, Manchester, M60 2LA

Pre-application Support: The charity welcomes discussions about project fit before application via email at welovemcrcharity@manchester.gov.uk

Overview

The Lord Mayor of Manchester's Charity Appeal Trust (Charity No. 1066972), operating as We Love MCR Charity, was established to distribute funds “for Charitable purposes for the general benefit of the inhabitants of the City of Manchester.” The charity receives income from donations, raffles, and investment dividends. Since 2011, they have supported over 160 community groups and projects. In 2024/25, the charity committed £350,000 across its two main grant programmes. The charity's primary aim is to improve the lives and life chances of Manchester people, focusing on supporting ambitious young people and strengthening communities across the city. Every grant decision is overseen by trustees, with the sitting Lord Mayor of Manchester serving as Chair of Trustees—a defining feature since the charity's inception.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Manchester's Rising Stars Fund: £50 - £5,000 (online rolling application, reviewed monthly)

  • Provides vital equipment, training, courses, qualifications, and resources for young people
  • Supports next steps to success in Work, Qualifications, or Entrepreneurship
  • Launched January 2021, with hundreds of grants awarded to date
  • Grant maximum increased from £2,000 to £5,000 to better meet young people's needs

Stronger Communities Fund: Up to £5,000 (online rolling application, reviewed monthly)

  • Supports community groups, charities, and social enterprises delivering work across Manchester
  • Originally capped at £2,000, increased to £5,000 maximum
  • Individual applications available up to £1,000, with larger amounts available to groups on a discretionary basis
  • Plus additional support with publicity, volunteers, and visits from The Lord Mayor

Family Holiday Programme: Directly administered by the charity

  • Therapeutic family breaks to Windermere and Ghyll Head Outdoor Education Centre
  • Builds confidence, self-esteem, and new skills through outdoor activities

Priority Areas

Stronger Communities Fund Core Themes:

  • Helping in the Early Years: Supporting children 0-4 years old and their parents to make the best start possible in learning, health, and/or nutrition
  • Combating Loneliness and Social Exclusion: Supporting groups of people at risk of exclusion from community life
  • Protecting and Improving Open Spaces: Environmental projects that benefit communities
  • Offering Positive Youth Activities: Projects providing constructive activities for young people

Manchester's Rising Stars Fund Priority Groups:

  • Young people aged 15-22 (minimum school Year 11)
  • Extended to age 25 for care-experienced young people or those with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
  • Focus on those facing financial barriers who have identified their next steps to success
  • 40% of young people in Manchester grow up in households classified as “in poverty”—the fund addresses this inequality

Target Beneficiaries:

  • Projects run by local volunteers improving circumstances in economically/socially excluded and/or deprived areas
  • Projects without access to professional fundraisers and experiencing difficulty attracting funding from other sources
  • Local charities, community groups, and organisations aiming to improve circumstances for Manchester communities
  • Constituted community groups, charities, community interest companies, and social enterprises

What They Don't Fund

Geographic Restrictions:

  • Applications from organisations supporting communities in Greater Manchester or beyond are not considered
  • Projects must be solely within City of Manchester boundaries as defined by Manchester City Council
  • Minor exceptions may be considered for projects where up to 10% of beneficiaries are not Manchester residents
  • Young People Leaving Care in Manchester may be supported even if moving to accommodation outside the city

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Manchester's Rising Stars Fund requires applicants to live or study in Manchester
  • Stronger Communities Fund requires projects to serve Manchester residents
Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for Lord Mayor Of Manchester's Charity Appeal Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

The sitting Lord Mayor of Manchester serves as Chair of Trustees, a defining feature of the charity's governance structure since its inception.

Current Chair of Trustees:

  • Councillor Donna Ludford (as Lord Mayor of Manchester)

Recent Trustee Appointments (2023):

  • Eddie Smith: Brings experience in Commercial and Development sectors, takes leading role at VITA Group property business
  • Debra Cooper: Co-Head of Shoosmiths law firm in Spinningfields
  • Louise Busby: Finance Director at JMW law firm, provides expertise to financial strategy and operations
  • Andreas Georgiou: Founded digital agency Uni4m, steers the charity's digital communications expansion

Leadership Philosophy:

Lord Mayor Donna Ludford stated: "I thank all our new Trustees for committing their time and expertise – we can't grow without brilliant Trustees. Their contributions to our growth and leadership will set us up for more successes in our work to support ambitious communities and young people across our city."

The charity seeks trustees with first-hand experience working in the third sector in senior roles or within policy development, with a passion for Manchester's communities and young people. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Online Portal: Applications submitted through online grant platform at mcrcharity.grantplatform.com

Pre-Application Discussion: Highly encouraged—contact welovemcrcharity@manchester.gov.uk to discuss project fit with fund themes before applying

Application Requirements:

  • Read full guidance notes before applying
  • Applications must demonstrate alignment with fund themes
  • Both programmes operate on rolling basis with monthly review cycles

Platform Support: For technical issues with the online platform, contact welovemcrcharity@manchester.gov.uk

Decision Timeline

Review Frequency: Applications reviewed monthly

Deadline Dates: Specific monthly deadline dates available on the grants platform

Notification: Applicants can email welovemcrcharity@manchester.gov.uk for questions about application status

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly available. The charity has supported over 160 community groups and projects since 2011 and has awarded hundreds of grants through the Rising Stars Fund since January 2021. In March 2024 alone, £32,449 was awarded to 15 community projects and young people.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly detailed. Contact the charity directly at welovemcrcharity@manchester.gov.uk for guidance on reapplications.

Application Success Factors

Pre-Application Engagement

The charity explicitly encourages applicants to discuss their projects before applying. This suggests that pre-application contact is valued and can help ensure alignment with fund priorities.

Geographic Specificity

Applications must demonstrate clear benefit to Manchester City residents. Be precise about which Manchester wards or communities your project serves. Projects serving Greater Manchester more broadly will not be considered.

Target Beneficiary Focus

The charity prioritises:

  • Volunteer-run projects in economically/socially excluded or deprived areas
  • Organisations without professional fundraising capacity
  • Projects addressing barriers for groups at risk of exclusion

Recent Funded Projects Examples

Early Years:

  • Trinity House Toy Hub supporting young children and families

Combating Loneliness:

  • The Widows Empowerment Trust: Funded two sessional workers and volunteer training, recruited 62 volunteers
  • Manchester Cares: “50 Days of Happiness” bringing together older and younger residents in Hulme and Longsight

Open Spaces:

  • Sow The City: Transformed women's refuge grounds combining eco aims with support for vulnerable residents
  • Heritage Dye Garden Restoration: £4,000 to restore park section commemorating Manchester's dyeing industries, working with local schools

Youth Activities:

  • Moston & District Sports & Youth Club: Equipment and astroturf hire for coaching programme supporting 300 young people
  • Happy Somedays: £4,000 for inclusive football/fitness group in Wythenshawe serving 100+ weekly participants
  • Manchester Youth Zone: £4,000 to enhance LGBTQ+ support, resources, and fellowship work

Rising Stars:

  • Equipment, training, courses, and qualifications enabling young people to progress in work, education, or entrepreneurship

Language and Terminology

The charity uses inclusive, accessible language focused on:

  • “Ambition” and “Rising Stars” for youth programmes
  • “Stronger Communities” for community development
  • “Life chances” and removing “unfair barriers”
  • “Heart, hope and opportunity”

Success Tips

  • Demonstrate how your project addresses one or more core themes
  • Show evidence of community need in Manchester
  • Highlight volunteer involvement and community ownership
  • Explain barriers your beneficiaries face
  • Be specific about what the grant will fund and how it enables your work
  • Consider the charity's emphasis on supporting those with limited access to other funding sources

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic boundaries are strict: Your project must serve City of Manchester residents only (not Greater Manchester)—check boundaries carefully at welovemcrcharity.org/manchester-boundaries
  • Pre-application discussion is welcomed: Take advantage of the opportunity to discuss project fit via email before applying—this shows the charity values dialogue
  • Monthly review cycle: Plan submissions around monthly deadlines available on the platform; don't wait for annual funding rounds
  • Theme alignment is critical: Clearly demonstrate how your project addresses at least one core theme (early years, loneliness/exclusion, open spaces, or youth activities)
  • Target the right fund: Rising Stars is for individuals aged 15-25; Stronger Communities is for organisations—ensure you apply to the appropriate programme
  • Emphasise volunteer leadership and grassroots nature: The charity prioritises volunteer-led projects in deprived areas without access to professional fundraisers
  • Maximum award increased significantly: Both funds now offer up to £5,000 (increased from £2,000), reflecting the charity's commitment to making meaningful impact

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References