We are launching a new phase of Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Communities Addressing Gambling Harms programme, to support community action to reduce gambling harm and to help more VCSE organisations start conversations with people at risk of gambling related harm. By targeting organisations not traditionally focused on gambling harm but those working to address inequalities, we hope to build on existing community assets, staff networks and community groups to develop a community-led movement to address gambling harms in Greater Manchester.
Applications for this grant are now closed. We are in the process of reviewing applications. Decisions will be communicated by the end of March and successful groups will be invited to attend the collaborative co-design workshop on 21 April 2026.
Grants of £2,500 to tackle gambling harms in Greater Manchester
What’s on offer?
Sixteen grants of £2,500 are available for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations who are tackling inequalities, to initiate conversations around gambling harms and support community action.
The programme is open to Greater Manchester-based organisations with a turnover of less than £1m that are either led by, or work with, communities experiencing racial inequalities; work with low-income households; or address broader inequalities in Greater Manchester.
The funding will support you to run community action activities to increase awareness of gambling harms and seeks to build a collaborative approach. As such, grant holders will be required to:
- participate in a collaborative co-design workshop on 21st April 2026 where you will..
- be supported by people with lived experience of gambling harms and local knowledge to develop your approach to utilising the funds
- network with other grantees and identify opportunities for further collaboration
- attend one Gambling Harms awareness training session with partners Chapter One
- attend a reflective session in October 2026 to develop peer support networks and share learning, insights and challenges
Funded activity must be completed within six months of grants being paid.
As part of GMCA’s commitment to an independent, public‑health‑led approach, this funding will generally not be available to organisations that are in receipt of gambling industry funding between 1 March 2026 and 31 December 2026. See guidance document below for details.
Please read the full programme guidance here before applying.
When you are ready, click here to complete an online Expression of Interest form. Please email aneeqa@macc.org.uk or call 0333 321 3021 to request an alternative format if required.
The deadline for expressions of interest is 12:00 midday Monday 2 March 2026.
Meet the Funder:
We hosted two lunchtime Meet the Funder webinars to share more about the fund and hold space questions.
Tuesday 27 January 12pm -1pm
Thursday 12 February 12pm-1pm
To access the information slides from the webinar please download here
Gambling Harms awareness training:
Interested applicants are invited to attend a Gambling Harms awareness training session with Chapter One on Monday 16 March, in-person at St Thomas Centre, Ardwick. Please register here
This training is compulsory for successful groups so we encourage you to attend, but if you are not able to make this date please see online options below to attend:
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Gambling Harms PPT_0.pdf | 4.77 MB |
| Communities Addressing Gambling Harms 2026 guidance.pdf | 4.47 MB |