Young Manchester

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,040,000+ (2023-24 fund managed)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Varies by program (typically 1-2 months)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £50,000 (varies by program)
• 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 organization established to support children and young people aged 0-25 in Manchester. With over 120 member organizations—all local non-profit groups—Young Manchester strengthens, connects, and champions opportunities for young people across the city, prioritizing the most excluded children and young people. The organization operates with a distinctive youth-led approach, featuring young trustees, a young Co-CEO (Samuel Remi-Akinwale, age 22), young staff members, and Young Ambassadors who shape every decision. Young Manchester administers multiple grant programs 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 organization's strategic approach emphasizes participatory grantmaking, where young people are involved in designing funds, supporting applications, and making final funding decisions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Keeping Children and Young People Safe Fund

£5,000 - £50,000 | Annual rolling program

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. Total fund of £1,040,000 available annually. 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

Grant amounts vary | 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

Total fund: £20,000 | 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 program.

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 programs

What They Don't Fund

Young Manchester specifically funds organizations and groups, not individuals (except through specific programs like Manchester's Rising Stars Fund for individual young people aged 15-25). Organizations must be:

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

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Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Samuel Remi-Akinwale, Co-CEO (Age 22)

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 emphasizes supporting community organizations 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 (19-year-old award-winning activist and Chief Executive of YouthPolitics UK)
• Beth Eden - Trustee with 14+ years experience in sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and youth engagement
• Furqan - 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

Organizational 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 emphasize empowering young people at every level—from young staff in key roles to young grant panelists making funding decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application methods vary by program:

Participatory Grantmaking Programs (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 Programs (Keeping Children and Young People Safe):

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

• Organizational 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

Organizations 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 programs.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from Young Manchester

Youth Voice is Essential: Young Manchester staff emphasize 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 prioritize:

• Projects that empower young people and give them ownership
• Activities designed by young people for young people
• Clear, authentic understanding of community needs
• Organizations 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 organizations - £1,040,000 total for Keeping Children and Young People Safe program 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 organizations 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 centers 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 marginalized groups. Demonstrate deep understanding of exclusion and barriers.

• Embrace participatory processes: For programs 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 organizations. 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.

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 program 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