The Our Manchester VCS Grants Programme is Manchester City Council’s largest grants programme for the voluntary and community sector. Following engagement and a co-design process, the 
new Programme for 2023-26 opened on 1 September 2022 and closes on 10 October 2022, 5pm. Information about the Fund and how to apply is on the website Our Manchester VCS Grants Refresh 2022
The purpose of this grant programme is to support and invest in a healthy and thriving local voluntary sector, so that it can continue to support Manchester’s residents and focus on what the sector excels at in addressing some of the city’s highest priorities.
The fund is focused on three aims:
- Addressing inequalities and building inclusion
- Promoting communities’ health and wellbeing
- Tackling poverty
Organisations can apply for up to £300,000 for 3 years (equivalent to £100,000 per year.)
Download the Our Manchester Voluntary and Community Sector Grant Programme Prospectus 2023-2026
To be able to apply for this funding, your organisation must meet the following criteria:
- Already have worked with Manchester citizens for at least 18 months
- Must be a constituted voluntary and community-sector organisation with its own bank account and meet all minimum eligibility requirements
- Must be working to at least one of the OMVCS programme aims
- Must be able to show evidence of the 5 principles of the fund
Please note: it is advisable that organisations check your eligibility to apply with the online eligibility checker tool
Any group meeting the above criteria can ask for support. Support will be offered on a first come first served basis and is subject to capacity.
Download Our Manchester VCS Grant Programme – Frequently Asked Questions
Support for applicants to apply
Discuss your proposal idea
Book a half hour online one-to-one with one of Macc's Development Workers to talk about your proposal idea, review the fund's eligibility, criteria and guidance and decide whether to proceed with a full application.
Available times and dates: (Please note: All slots are now fully booked)
|
|
|
To request a one-to-one please email: [email protected] no later than 4pm on 6 September stating your group name and contact details.
Get advice on your application draft
Groups can receive constructive feedback on their full draft application from a Macc Development Worker, including any areas for improvement. Feedback will be provided through a bookable online meeting or can be provided in writing.
The sessions are 45 minutes long and groups need to have completed a full draft bid using Manchester City Council's downloadable Word document version of the application form. Please note: that this is for drafting purposes only – your final application will need to be submitted through the online Smart Survey application portal by 5pm 10 October 2022. No word document applications will be accepted. Draft applications need to emailed to us at: [email protected] by 10am on 20 September 2022.
Please note: you don’t have to attend our ‘Discuss your proposal idea’ session to receive support with your draft application but you are expected to have completed the online eligibility checker tool
Available times and dates: (Please note: All slots are now fully booked)
|
|
|
|
|
|
What will the support be like?
The support will be delivered online through Zoom by our friendly development workers. The development worker will have read your full draft application prior to the meeting and will be able to talk you through any suggested improvements that you could make to strengthen your application. Honest and helpful advice will be provided!
To request support with your draft application please email: [email protected] no later than 10am on 20 September 2022 with your full draft application and provide your group name and contact details.
Please remember that Macc’s Capacity Building Team is offering to review your applications and provide feedback. Applications will not be written for you. It is not a requirement to attend one of our sessions to submit an application to this fund.
OMVCS Grant Programme 23-26 documents
Download the OMVCS Grant Programme 23-26 Guidance for individual applicants
Download the OMVCS Grant Programme 23-26 Individual Application Word Form
Download the OMVCS Grant Programme 23-26 Guidance for partnership applicants
Download the OMVCS Grant Programme 23-26 Partnership Application Word Form
Please note: that the word application forms are for drafting purposes only – your final application will need to be submitted through the online Smart Survey application portal by 5pm 10 October 2022.
The OMVCS team have made a short film summarising the fund’s key information: