Timeline - Forever Manchester

Since Forever Manchester was established in 1989 we have delivered over £57 million into local communities.

1989:

Community Trust for Greater Manchester was established.
Announce Duke of Westminster as President.

1990:

Premises at Beswick House, Beswick Row, Manchester M4 4JY.

1991:

Full Member of the Association of Community Trust and Foundations.
Launch Payroll Giving scheme to raise charitable funds.

1992:

Association of Small and Medium Sized Businesses Award Winner.
Manchester and District Society of Certified Accountants Charity Ball raises £2,000.
Marketing Mix Charity Ball held by Manchester Polytechnic students raises £920.
Distribute £23,023 in community funding across Greater Manchester. (1992-93)

1993:

Community Trust for Greater Manchester incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 as a private company and that the company is limited under 2785133.
Distribute £22,007 in community funding to support 164 voluntary groups across Greater Manchester. (1993-94)

1994:

Launch of Premiership and Associate Membership Schemes gives donor recognition for their support, attracting support from major companies including the Co-operative Bank, Kellogg’s, Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, Manchester Airport, Greater Manchester Police and The Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
BBC Radio Manchester gives the Trust a weekly slot on their ‘GMR. Cares’ programme.
Beneficiary of the Lord Mayor’s Annual Parade held at Yang Sing Restaurant attended by 110 guests.
Distribute £50,138 in community funding to support voluntary groups across Greater Manchester. (1994-95)

1995:

Receive continued financial support from Manchester Airport, BT, Co-operative Retail Society, and Roland Bardsley Builders.
Bob Carter, Executive Director of the Community Trust voted Mancunian of the Year.
Distribute £51,245 in community funding to support 241 voluntary groups across Greater Manchester. (1995-96)

1996:

Launch of ‘BT Local Partnership’ community grants scheme to support community initiatives in Manchester.
Distribute £60,382 in community funding to support 240 voluntary groups across Greater Manchester. (1996-97)

1997:

Launch of Caring for Carers scheme in partnership with Manchester Carers Centre.
To celebrate National Carers Week, all 47,000 of the city’s carers had an open invitation to Granada Studios Tours.
Distribute around £48,072 in community funding to support 240 voluntary groups across Greater Manchester. (1997-98)

1998:

Receive continued financial support from Nynex Arena, Whitbread, Senior Service and The Zochinis Charitable Trust.
Distribute £36,300 in community funding to support voluntary groups across Greater Manchester. (1998-99)

1999:

Announce Nick Massey as Chief Executive.
Helping Hand Appeal, a fundraising campaign supported by the Manchester Evening News, raises £1 million, which was matched pound for pound by President The Duke of Westminster.
Renamed and registered as “The Community Foundation for Greater Manchester”.
Management of the Bardsley Fund
Launch ‘The Community Box Office’ in partnership with Manchester Carers Centre to provide a range of social and leisure experiences for community groups and carers.
Move premises to John Dalton House, 121 Deansgate, Manchester.
Distribute £47,500 in community funding to support community groups across Greater Manchester. (1999-2000)

2000:

The Hacienda Auction held on Saturday 25 November 2000 raises money for The Community Foundation for Greater Manchester. The Auction features many of the most famous parts of the Hacienda building, including the DJ booth, dancefloor, light fittings, bar, stage and telephones
Distribute £608,000 in community funding to support 195 community groups across Greater Manchester. (2000-01)

2001:

Cream Awards: Best Charity Campaign Gold Award for Hacienda Auction.
Launch of Local Network Fund.
Launch of Rainmakers Fund encouraging successful Women to give or raise funds to support women in less-advantageous situations.
Move premises to Beswick House, Beswick Row, Manchester.
Distribute £1.5 million in community funding to support 758 community groups across Greater Manchester. (2001-02)

2002:

Launch of Community Champions Fund.
Launch of annual ‘A Night of Community Stars’ to celebrate Greater Manchester’s community changemakers and social entrepreneurs.
Distribute £2.5 million in community funding to support 725 community groups across Greater Manchester. (2002-03)

2003:

Launch of Fair Share Trust Big Lottery Fund.
Launch of ‘Get Business Giving’ fundraising campaign.
National Charity Awards Grantmaking Category Winners.
Distribute £2.5 million in community funding to support 625 community groups across Greater Manchester. (2003-04)

2004:

Launch of Manchester Lottery Fund.
Distribute £2.4 million in community funding to support community groups across Greater Manchester. (2004-05)

2005:

Management of Comic Relief local fund for Greater Manchester.
Management of Sports Relief fund for Greater Manchester.
Management of Kellogg’s Active Funds delivery small grants to community groups across the UK.
Management of the Sage (UK) Fund.
Distribute £2.5 million in community funding to support 838 community groups across Greater Manchester. (2005-06)

2006:

Management of Kellogg’s Employee Match Fund where Kellogg’s staff fundraising is matched by Kellogg’s.
Liberate £3 million in dormant funds from local councils.
Launch of the Stockport Fund.
Distribute £4.9 million in community funding to support 934 community groups across Greater Manchester. (2006-07)

2007:

Launch of the Manchester Fund in partnership with Manchester city council.
Launch of the Trafford MBC Fund.
National Charity Awards Grantmaking Category Winners.
National Charity Awards Effectiveness Award Winners.
Closely work with Manchester International Festival to ensure it engages with the local communities around Greater Manchester.
Distribute £4.3 million in community funding to support 902 community groups across Greater Manchester. (2007-08)

2008:

Launch of the Grassroots Endowment Challenge.
Launch of the Birdhouse Fund.
Management of WO Street Fund.
Management of the Grassroots Grants Fund.
Management of Kellogg’s CCF Programme delivering funding to groups across Europe.
Management of Nine Lives Community Fund.
Launch of Quality Standard for Funding recognising community groups who have managed a grant effectively and provided high quality information about how the grant has been used.
Distribute £3.96 million in community funding to support 1,008 community groups across Greater Manchester. (2008-09)

2009:

Management of Greater Manchester Disaster Relief Fund.
Launch of Targeted Support Fund.
Launch of “Forever Manchester” fundraising campaign.
Move premises to Speakers House, 39 Deansgate, Manchester.
Distribute £5.3 million in community funding to support 949 community groups across Greater Manchester. (2009-10)

2010:

Investors in People Bronze Award Winners.
National Charity Awards Grantmaking Category Winners.
Management of The Feelgood Fund.
Distribute £4.5 million to fund and support 943 community groups across Greater Manchester. (2010/11)

2011:

Renamed as ‘Forever Manchester The Community Foundation for Greater Manchester’
Adopt a Strength Based Approach to Community Development.
Introduce The concept of ‘Charity… The Mancunian Way’ bringing a new philosophy and personality to the brand.
Launch of a range of regular fundraising initiatives.
Launch of Ambassadors programme.
Artist Si Scott produces a range of Manchester Music Artwork for Forever Manchester.
Management of Kellogg’s Give a Child a Breakfast Programme delivering funding to breakfast clubs in schools across the UK.
Distribute £3.5 million to fund and support 1,226 community groups across Greater Manchester. (2011/12)

2012:

Management of Disaster Relief Fund: Shaw Explosion delivering £125,000 to those affected.
Management of the CDL Fund
Management of the Douglas Valley (Wigan) Fund.
Launch of Community First, where donations would be matched 50% from the government.
Achieve Community Foundation Network accreditation to standards endorsed by the Charity Commission.
Move premises to 8 Hewitt Street, Manchester.
Launch of Business Supporters programme and First Friday monthly networking event.
Commission Tony Walsh to write ‘This Is The Place’ poem for Forever Manchester
Connecting Communities in Lostock, Gorse Hill, Stretford, Great Lever and Oldham.
Ambassador Andrew Trott-Barn’s hosts his annual ‘Mirror Ball’ to raise money for Forever Manchester.
Distribute £3.75 million to fund and support 1,346 community groups across Greater Manchester. (2012/13)

2013:

National Charity Times Big Society Award Winners.
Nick Massey, Chief Executive, features in The Manchester Evening News Business Week ‘Top 250 Influential People in Greater Manchester’.
Management of Surviving Winter campaign to help older and vulnerable people stay warm over winter.
Publish ‘I Grew That’ Book and DVD celebrating the 10 year successful delivery of Fair Share Trust work.
Deliver Asset Based Community Development training.
Launch of Forever Manchester Awards programme (Cash4Graft & Cash4Growth)
Launch of ‘Cool2BKind” programme to encourage 9-10 year olds to take part in acts of kindness and steer them in a positive direction to benefit their local community.
Launch of Run for Round ‘ere campaign to encourage people to take part in running events to raise money for Forever Manchester.
Launch of Captain Manchester.
Launch of annual Abseil.
Launch of Caketober, bake sale fundraising initiative.
Ambassador Andrew Trott-Barn’s launches Halloween Spooktacular Event.
Launch of Halloween Lockdown where local celebrities raise money for Forever Manchester.
Distribute £1.3 million in community funding to support 760 community groups across Greater Manchester. (2013-14)

2014:

Announce Phil Jones, MD at Brother UK, as President.
Launch of annual Business Supporters Lunch.
Launch of new Forever Manchester website.
Golden Hedgehog PR Award Winners for Captain Manchester campaign.
Host Forever Manchester Sky Dive.
Tony Walsh writes ‘Silver Sparks’ poem to commemorate Forever Manchester 25^th year.
Financial Management of Girls Out Loud Fund.
Distribute £1.3 million to fund and support 1,332 community activities across Greater Manchester. (2014/15)

2015:

Forever Manchester Annual Birthday Party established to celebrate 25 years, raises £38,000.
Accredited Living Wage Employer.
Connecting Communities in Moston and Harpurhey, North Manchester funded by Spirit of 2012.
Connecting Communities in four areas of Oldham funded by First Choice Homes.
Financial Management of Big Change MCR Fund (Manchester Homelessness Partnership).
Financial Management of the WoManchester (Emmeline Pankhurst) Statue Fund.
Financial Management of Not Just Soup Fund.
Management of Brother UK Fund.
Management of Disaster Relief Fund: Boxing Day Floods delivering £93,000 to those affected.
Launch of Forever Manchester Women Events.
Artist Stanley Chow produces a ‘Manchester With Love’ series of prints for Forever Manchester, featuring iconic Manchester spaces, buildings and locations.
Host a sell out ‘Evening with Tony Walsh’ at Frog and Bucket.
Greater Manchester Police release light-hearted video to raise awareness of Forever Manchester.
Launch of Forever Funny Comedy Night at Frog and Bucket Comedy Club.
Launch of Forever Manchester Radio Show.
Manchester Arena pledges its support to Forever Manchester providing free tickets to communities and for prizes to raise money.
Distribute £1.32 million to fund and support 850 community activities across Greater Manchester. (2015/16)

2016:

Renamed and registered as ‘Forever Manchester’.
Forever Manchester Annual Birthday Party raises £50,000.
All Forever Manchester managed funding programmes accessible to apply online.
Management of Auto Trader Community Fund.
Launch of annual Forever Football 7s tournament.
Launch of Forever Manchester Week.
Distribute £1.96 million to fund and support 855 community activities across Greater Manchester. (2016/17)

2017:

Forever Manchester Annual Birthday Party raises £45,000.
Connecting Communities in Eccles, Salford.
Management of the NOMA Fund.
Management of People’s Health Trust.
Management of Youth Social Action Fund.
Financial Management of Real Change Wigan and Leigh Fund.
Launch of Captain Manchester’s Magical Tombola Monthly Prize Draw.
Launch of Summer and Christmas Great Get Togethers.
Launch of Forever Manchester online shop.
Launch of Forever Consulting.
Launch of Forever Manchester Podcasts.
Announce Trevor Mather, MD at Auto Trader, as President.
This Is The Place poem goes global following Tony Walsh’s performance at the Manchester Arena vigil.
This Is The Place Book raises £150k for Forever Manchester, We Love Mcr Emergency Fund and Mayor’s Homelessness Fund.
Host a sell out ‘Evening with Tony Walsh’ at Frog and Bucket.
Artist Stanley Chow and Great Northern Warehouse produces a range of Great Northerners artwork for ForeverManchesterShop.com
Zen Office sponsor Captain Manchester.
Distribute £1.73 million to fund and support 1,129 community activities across Greater Manchester. (2017/18)

2018:

Forever Manchester Annual Birthday Party raises £70,000.
Connecting Communities in Wythenshawe funded by Our Manchester.
Launch of October Cheer Fest fundraising initiative.
Forever Manchester brand refresh – For Happy Days.
Designer Trevor Johnson re-produces a range of Hacienda Posters for ForeverManchesterShop.com
Distribute £1.5 million to fund and support 1,204 community activities across Greater Manchester. (2018/19)

2019:

Forever Manchester Annual Birthday Party raises £70,000.
Connecting Communities in the Ardwick area of Manchester funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Management of 247 People Fund
Management of Disaster Relief Fund: Bolton Student Flats Fire Appeal delivering £40,000 to those affected.
Financial Management of The St. John’s Homelessness Initiative Fund.
Advertising Partnership with XS Manchester and I Love Manchester.
Cartoonist Tony Husband produces a range of Football related designs for ForeverManchesterShop.com
Pop-up shop opens on King Street for Christmas markets.
Distribute £1.3 million to fund and support 1,304 community activities across Greater Manchester. (2019/20)

2020:

Forever Manchester 30^th Birthday Party raises £78,689.
Launch of ‘Give It Up For Forever Manchester’ campaign.
Auto Trader donate money and expertise to help Forever Manchester buy and refurbish a Camper Van to help us expand our support of community activity across Greater Manchester.
Fundraising campaigns postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Forever Manchester staff team continue to support communities whilst working from home.
23rd March 2020: Launch of the Community Support Fund for grassroots community groups in Greater Manchester that are responding to the impact of Covid-19 by helping those most affected.
Work with UK Community Foundations to distribute over £3 million of funding raised by the National Emergencies Trust Coronavirus Appeal.
This is the Place Poem takes pride of place on the Albert Square hoardings during the ‘Our Town Hall’ renovation project.
Launch of Community Centre Support Fund to assist the reopening of community spaces in a Covid-secure way.
Announce William Lees-Jones, MD of JW Lees, as President.
Launch Get Christmas Sorted Fundraising Campaign.
30 artists Give it Up for Forever Manchester raising over £8,000 in an online auction.
Launch Connecting Communities at Christmas, awarding funding to 100 community groups.
Distribute £4.2 million to fund and support 1,617 community activities across Greater Manchester. (2020/21)

2021

Move premises to 1^st Floor, Phoenix House, 45 Cross Street, Manchester, M2 4JF
Celebrate raising over £100,000 from Captain Manchester’s Magical Tombola Monthly Prize Draw.
Illustrator Ray Lancaster together with Leo B. Stanley produce a range of Manchester related designs for ForeverManchesterShop.com
Management of the Made By Sport Fund to support community sports groups working with children and young people, awarding £188,595 in funding.
Launch of the One GM Community Fund in partnership with Greater Manchester’s Mayor’s Charity, to support those most affected by the Covid crisis across Greater Manchester, awarding £92,628 in funding.
Management of the Zuto Fund.
Celebrate 10 years of our Ambassadors Scheme which has helped raise over £1 million for Forever Manchester.
Forever Manchester’s ‘Manchester Music Auction’ raises £7,215
Pop-up Charity Gift shop returns to Manchester for Christmas located at the Corn Exchange.
Distribute £2.1 million to fund and support 1,297 community activities across Greater Manchester. (2021/22)

2022

Work with UK Community Foundations to award £262,398 of funding to support 31 community groups across Greater Manchester as part of Arts Council England’s Let Create Jubilee Fund.
Forever Manchester Birthday Party raises £72,469.
Celebrate 10 years of the CDL Fund, which has provided £378,191 in funding to support 302 community projects in the borough of Stockport.
Celebrate 10 years of taking part in the Great Manchester 10K Run, which has raised £110,000 for Forever Manchester.
Management of the Full Circle Funerals Partners Altrincham Fund.
Forever Manchester bids a fond farewell to Richard Hogben who was a Trustee on the board since 2006.

2023

Forever Manchester Birthday Party raises £90,675.
Recruit 5 new Trustees to strengthen the board.
Connecting Communities in the Hag Fold area of Wigan.
Connecting Communities in the Lancashire Hill area of Stockport.
Launch annual programme of fundraising activities.
Announce Jim Wilkinson, CEO of Zuto, as President.

Last updated: 7th July 2023