Young Manchester

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,040,000+ (managed fund)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Varies by programme (typically 1-2 months)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £50,000 (varies by programme)
• Geographic Focus: Manchester only

Contact Details

Website: http://www.youngmanchester.org/

Email: enquiries@youngmanchester.org

Phone: 0161 631 2879

Overview

Young Manchester (Charity Number 1166873) is a youth-led partnership organisation established to support children and young people aged 0-25 in Manchester. With over 120 member organisations—all local non-profit groups—Young Manchester strengthens, connects, and champions opportunities for young people across the city, prioritising the most excluded children and young people. The organisation operates with a distinctive youth-led approach, featuring young trustees, a young Co-CEO (Samuel Remi-Akinwale), young staff members, and Young Ambassadors who shape every decision. Young Manchester administers multiple grant programmes funded by Manchester City Council, the Youth Endowment Fund, NHS Manchester Health and Care Commissioning, and other partners. To date, over 10,000 children and young people have engaged in social action through their funded activities. The organisation's strategic approach emphasises participatory grantmaking, where young people are involved in designing funds, supporting applications, and making final funding decisions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Keeping Children and Young People Safe Fund

£5,000 - £50,000 | Rolling programme

Focus on direct work with children and young people affected by violence and lack of safety in their communities. Supports projects including detached youth work, 1:1 support, mentoring, and conflict resolution. Applications accepted on a rolling basis with decisions typically within 4-6 weeks.

Hope for Cheetham Fund

£5,000 - £30,000 | Fixed rounds with participatory decision-making

Place-based universal youth and play provision in Cheetham Hill with social action embedded. Recent round awarded £230,000 through participatory grantmaking event called “Choose for Cheetham” involving 200+ young people and community members making funding decisions together.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Youth Led Fund

£1,000 - £10,000 | Fixed rounds

Youth-designed fund addressing mental health impacts of COVID-19 and supporting preventative youth work delivery. Funded by Manchester Health and Care Commissioning. Previous rounds included a £45,000 grant for collaborative projects.

Disability Fund for Young People

£500 - £3,000 | Fixed rounds

First youth-led fund of its kind in England, developed by and for disabled young people. Led by GMYN's Changemakers group (SEND Youth Ambassadors aged 14-25) who design the process and make funding decisions.

City of Social Action Grants

Grant amounts vary | Rolling basis

Focused on increasing quality opportunities for young people to take part in and lead their own social action projects. Over 10,000 children and young people have engaged through this programme.

Priority Areas

• Youth-led social action and community engagement projects
• Mental health and wellbeing support for young people
• Provision for disabled children and young people (SEND)
• Violence reduction and community safety initiatives
• Place-based youth work in underserved communities
• Projects reaching the most excluded children and young people
• Universal youth and play provision
• Early intervention and prevention programmes

What They Don't Fund

Young Manchester specifically funds organisations and groups, not individuals. Organisations must be:

• Based in Manchester and/or working with Manchester residents
• Voluntary, community, and faith sector organisations
• Focused on children and young people aged 0-25

Ready to write a winning application for Young Manchester?

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

Learn more >

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Samuel Remi-Akinwale, Co-CEO

Samuel represents Young Manchester's commitment to youth leadership. In his letter to Manchester, he stated: "I took on this role to ensure young people in Manchester don't have to rely on being lucky to get by in life.“ He emphasises supporting community organisations and challenging systems that fail young people. His vision: ”Make Manchester a city where every child and young person can thrive and realise their full potential."

Board Structure

Young Manchester's board includes:

• 3 Young Trustees appointed to strengthen youth voice mechanisms
• Roukagia Afan - Co-Chair
• Dan Lawes - Co-Deputy Chair (award-winning activist and Chief Executive of YouthPolitics UK)
• Beth Eden - Trustee with 14+ years experience in sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and youth engagement
• Furqan Naeem - Former trustee at Muslim Youth Helpline, worked with young people following Manchester Arena Bombing
• Jodie - Interim CEO and Head of Programmes at EY Foundation
• Craig - Finance Director at urbanbubble

Organisational Philosophy

Young Manchester operates on the principle that "young people's lives are impacted by decision making therefore they should have a seat at the table." They emphasise empowering young people at every level—from young staff in key roles to young grant panelists making funding decisions.

How to Apply to Young Manchester

How to Apply

Application methods vary by programme:

Participatory Grantmaking Programmes (Hope for Cheetham, Disability Fund):

Applicants invited to present projects at community events where young people and community members vote on funding allocation. All applicants participate regardless of outcome, creating transparent, democratic decision-making.

Standard Grant Programmes (Keeping Children and Young People Safe):

Online application through Manchester City Council portal or Young Manchester website. Applications require:

• Organisational details and evidence of VCS status
• Project description focusing on outcomes for young people
• Budget breakdown
• Evidence of community need
• Demonstration of youth voice in project design

Youth-Led Funds (Mental Health, Disability Fund):

Applications reviewed by panels of young people who assess proposals against criteria they developed. May include interview/presentation components.

Decision Timeline

• Keeping Children and Young People Safe: Applications reviewed monthly; decisions within 4-6 weeks
• Hope for Cheetham: Fixed rounds with community decision events; decisions made on the day
• Mental Health & Wellbeing: Quarterly rounds; decisions within 6-8 weeks
• Disability Fund: Annual rounds; timeline varies based on youth panel availability

Success Rates

Young Manchester does not publicly disclose overall success rates. However, their participatory grantmaking approach means all applicants who present at decision events gain valuable feedback and community connections, even if not funded.

Reapplication Policy

Organisations can reapply in subsequent funding rounds. Young Manchester encourages learning from feedback and strengthening proposals based on youth panel input. No specified waiting period between applications for different programmes.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from Young Manchester

Youth Voice is Essential: Young Manchester staff emphasise that “young people should have a seat at the table and have the opportunity to shape where and how money for young people is spent.” Applications must demonstrate meaningful youth involvement in project design, delivery, and evaluation.

Focus on Outcomes: Young Manchester uses outcomes-based assessment. Be specific about “the changes that will bring about and what difference your services will make to the people you are supporting.”

Reach Excluded Young People: Priority given to projects reaching Manchester's most excluded children and young people. Demonstrate understanding of barriers and how your project addresses them.

What Youth Panelists Value

Based on participatory grantmaking events, young decision-makers prioritise:

• Projects that empower young people and give them ownership
• Activities designed by young people for young people
• Clear, authentic understanding of community needs
• Organisations that respect and trust young people to make decisions
• Practical, accessible opportunities with progression routes

Recent Funded Projects

• 42nd Street - £45,000 for “Mental Health and Wellbeing After Covid-19” collaborative project
• 21 projects in Cheetham Hill - £230,000 distributed through participatory budgeting for place-based youth activities
• Multiple VCS organisations - Keeping Children and Young People Safe programme supporting violence reduction and community safety

Common Success Factors

1. Authentic youth leadership - Not tokenistic involvement but genuine power-sharing
2. Strong community connections - Understanding of local context and relationships with Manchester communities
3. Clear outcomes - Specific, measurable differences for young people
4. Collaboration - Partnerships with other VCS organisations valued
5. Social action focus - Projects enabling young people to lead change in their communities
6. Evidence-based need - Using data (like #BeeWell surveys) to demonstrate community needs

Presentation and Professionalism

While youth voice is paramount, basic application quality matters: “presentation, punctuation and grammar set the tone and really do matter.” Proofread carefully and follow specified formats.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Youth voice is non-negotiable: Young Manchester's entire philosophy centres on youth leadership. Applications must show genuine youth involvement in design, delivery, and decision-making—not just consultation but real power-sharing.

• Focus on Manchester's most excluded: Priority given to projects reaching the 45% of Manchester children living in poverty and other marginalised groups. Demonstrate deep understanding of exclusion and barriers.

• Embrace participatory processes: For programmes with participatory grantmaking, prepare to present to youth panels and community members. Practice explaining your project accessibly and authentically to young people.

• Connect with the network: Young Manchester has 120+ member organisations. Joining as a member provides access to peer support, capacity building, and better understanding of funding opportunities.

• Think outcomes, not just activities: Be specific about the changes your project will create for young people. Use language of empowerment, progression, and thriving—terms Young Manchester consistently uses.

• Build relationships before applying: Contact Young Manchester at enquiries@youngmanchester.org or 0161 631 2879 to discuss ideas. They value supporting applicants through the process.

• Consider partnerships: Collaborative applications often align well with Young Manchester's “connect” pillar. Partnerships demonstrate sector coordination and can strengthen reach to excluded young people.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Lord Mayor Of Manchester's Charity Appeal Trust
• Forever Manchester
• The Peter Kershaw Trust
• Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity Cio
• The Running Bee Foundation
• The Greater Manchester High Sheriff's Police Trust
• The Manchester Guardian Society Charitable Trust
• Manchester Relief In Need Cio
• The Zochonis Charitable Trust
• Mw (rh) Foundation

References

1. Young Manchester official website - About page. https://youngmanchester.org/about

1. Young Manchester - Charity Commission Register. Charity Number 1166873. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5072394

1. Manchester City Council - Grant for VCS funding Keeping Children and Young People Safe, Prospectus 2023-2025. https://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/100003/people_and_communities/8543/grant_for_vcs_funding_keeping_children_and_young_people_safe

1. Young Manchester - City of Social Action programme page. https://youngmanchester.org/cityofsocialaction

1. Young Manchester - “Dear Manchester: A Letter from Our New Co-CEO, Samuel Remi-Akinwale”. https://youngmanchester.org/entry/dear-manchester-a-letter-from-our-new-co-ceo-samuel-remi-akinwale

1. Young Manchester - Mental Health and Wellbeing Youth Led Fund. https://youngmanchester.org/entry/mental-health-and-wellbeing-youth-led-fund

1. Young Manchester - “A New Youth-Led Fund for and by Disabled Young People”. https://youngmanchester.org/entry/a-new-youth-led-fund-for-and-by-disabled-young-people

1. Young Manchester - The Hope for Cheetham Fund. https://youngmanchester.org/news/entry/the-hope-for-cheetham-fund

1. Young Manchester - Join Young Manchester (membership information). https://youngmanchester.org/members

1. Manchester Community Central - Completing funding applications guidance. https://manchestercommunitycentral.org/completing-funding-applications