Submit Applications for The Together Fund (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 24-Sep-2026

The Together Fund is inviting applications from grassroots community groups in Greater Manchester for grants supporting projects that improve access to education, skills training, and development opportunities. Delivered in partnership with Forever Manchester, the fund supports small, locally controlled organisations that involve volunteers and need financial assistance to strengthen the services and opportunities they provide to their communities. Eligible groups can apply for grants of up to £2,500 to support activities that develop skills, improve access to learning, and help people strengthen their employment prospects and build sustainable careers.

About the Together Fund

The Together Fund is designed to support grassroots community organisations operating across the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester. The programme focuses on small organisations that are locally controlled and actively involve volunteers in their work. It aims to provide financial support to groups that have limited resources but are working to create positive opportunities for people in their communities. Priority is given to projects that improve access to education, skills development, and learning opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds. How Much Funding Is Available? Eligible groups can apply for grants of up to: - £2,500 per grant - Approximately $3,200 The funding is intended to help grassroots organisations deliver activities that strengthen education, skills, learning, volunteering, and employment-related opportunities. Who Can Apply? The Together Fund is intended for grassroots community groups that meet the fund’s eligibility requirements.

Applicants must:

- Be based in Greater Manchester. - Operate within one of the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester. - Have an annual income of less than £75,000. - Be a small, locally controlled community organisation. - Encourage volunteer involvement. The fund is particularly focused on organisations that require financial support to better serve their local communities. What Projects Are Prioritised? Priority is given to projects that improve access to education, skills training, and development opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds. The fund particularly welcomes projects that: - Develop practical and transferable skills. - Increase access to learning and training programmes. - Help people improve their employment prospects. - Support individuals seeking to build lasting careers. - Create opportunities for volunteering and personal development. Projects should demonstrate how their activities will provide meaningful learning, skills, or development opportunities for participants. Examples of Eligible Projects The Together Fund can support a range of grassroots activities that help people develop skills and improve their future opportunities.

Examples include:

- Ongoing activities that develop communication, teamwork, and essential life or work skills. - Projects that connect people with volunteering opportunities. - Programmes teaching transferable skills such as collaboration and leadership through sports or creative arts. - Regular sessions designed to build practical and interpersonal skills. - Support and mentoring for people looking to change careers. - Programmes helping individuals improve their interview skills. - Support with CV writing and career development. These activities can help participants develop skills that are useful for employment, volunteering, education, and long-term career development. Supporting Skills Development The fund places a strong emphasis on helping people gain skills that can be applied across different areas of life and work. Projects may focus on communication, teamwork, collaboration, leadership, or other essential skills. Activities can be delivered through sports, creative arts, regular community sessions, mentoring, or other appropriate grassroots initiatives. Supporting Employment and Career Development The Together Fund also welcomes projects that help people improve their employment prospects or develop sustainable careers. Examples include mentoring for people considering a career change and support with practical employment skills such as: - Interview preparation. - CV writing. - Communication. - Teamwork. - Leadership. - Transferable workplace skills. These activities can help participants become more confident and better prepared for employment opportunities. Supporting Volunteering Opportunities Projects that connect people with volunteering opportunities can also benefit from the fund. Volunteering can provide participants with opportunities to gain practical experience, develop transferable skills, build confidence, and strengthen their connections within the community. The fund therefore welcomes initiatives that create pathways between community members and suitable volunteering opportunities. Key Facts About the Together Fund

- Programme: Together Fund

- Delivery partner: Forever Manchester

- Maximum grant: £2,500

- Approximate equivalent: $3,200

- Target applicants: Grassroots community groups

- Location: Greater Manchester

- Coverage: 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester

- Annual income limit: Less than £75,000

- Organisation type: Small, locally controlled community groups

- Volunteer involvement: Encouraged

- Priority areas: Education, skills training, learning, development, volunteering, and employment prospects

- Priority beneficiaries: People from diverse backgrounds

Frequently Asked Questions About the Together Fund What is the Together Fund? The Together Fund provides grants to grassroots community groups in Greater Manchester for projects that improve access to education, skills training, and development opportunities. How much funding can groups receive? Eligible groups can receive grants of up to £2,500, approximately equivalent to $3,200. Who can apply for the Together Fund? Grassroots community groups based in Greater Manchester can apply if they meet the fun