We are delighted to announce that the Greater Manchester Grassroots Music Fund, in partnership with Wild In Art, is now open for applications from emerging bands and solo artists from any of the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. If you would like to view this page as a PDF, please click below: GM Grassroots Music Fund PDF Guidance We will close for applications at midday on Thursday the 11th of December 2025. Fund criteria The Greater Manchester Grassroots Music Fund is offering grants of up to £3,000 to help emerging bands and solo artists from any of the ten Greater Manchester boroughs take the next step in their careers, with a focus on supporting live performance opportunities.
Who can apply? The Greater Manchester Grassroots Music Fund aims to support artists and bands embarking on a tour that involves a minimum of 2 dates that must include a headline show at a Greater Manchester grassroots venue. Artists and bands must have been formed for a minimum of 12 months and have experience of performing original music as part of their live sets. We anticipate this will appeal to emerging artists with upcoming releases or campaigns. The fund is designed to support: Emerging bands or solo artists that have been formed and performing live for over 12 months. Emerging bands or solo artists who have paid experience of performing their original music as part of their live sets. Artists who are not currently working full time on their music. Emerging bands or solo artists who perform live using at least one musical instrument and/or a live vocal. To support tours with a minimum of 2 shows that take place before November 2026. One of these performances must take place within a grassroots venue in Greater Manchester. The fund aims to further support the grassroots music ecosystem in Greater Manchester by removing barriers that make it difficult for emerging musicians to tour and perform live. The Fund wants to enable: Artists to be able to tour who otherwise couldn’t afford to. Increased live performance experience for artists. Strengthened relationships between artists and grassroots venues. Increased visibility for emerging artists. Increased audience for grassroots venues. Applicants must be based in one of the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. If applicants are part of a band, we expect that the majority of people in the band should be living within Greater Manchester.
How much can you apply for? The maximum award request that will be considered is £3,000. There are 12 awards available in total.
What can you apply for? The Fund aims to support artists to perform to live audiences in Greater Manchester’s grassroots venues. Artists and bands must have a minimum of two secured touring dates. One of these must be happening within a Grassroots music venue in Greater Manchester. You can apply for costs that will help maximise the success of these performances, such as: Musician fees PR & Marketing Support Touring Costs Rehearsal Costs Equipment
Is there anything you can’t apply for? Unfortunately, there are a few things that can’t be funded. Costs that aren’t related to live performance. Building and kitting out studios. Any activity that has already taken place. The purchase of vans or cars. If you’re not sure if we could consider your application for funding, please contact a member of the Forever Manchester Communities Team, email awards@forevermanchester.com and we’ll be happy to help.
Supporting Documents These are the documents we need you to attach to your application and the key things we would expect them to contain, in order to be eligible to be considered for funding. One occasion, we may need to see additional supporting documentation based on what you outline in your application, but we will always contact you for any further information required. Proof of address: Proof of address for the majority of the band members., i.e. utility bill. Upload a recent utility bill or similar document. If you’re a band, please provide proof of address for at least half the members. Links to previous live performances: Please include any links to footage, listings or reviews of previous performances. Bank Account: A copy of a business/joint bank account statement. If you don’t have a business shared account, we are able to pay into an individual’s account but will require approval from all the band members before funds can be released. Successful applicants will be expected to submit full receipts at the end of the grant period. If you have any questions or require any additional assistance filling this in, please contact us at awards@forevermanchester.com or phone 0161 214 0940.
Deadline for Applications We closed for applications at midday on Thursday the 11th of December 2025. Any applications received after this time will not be considered. OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS How long will a decision take? For this round of the Greater Manchester Grassroots Music Fund, we aim to let you know the outcome of your application by mid-late February 2026. Please do not plan to start any activity until after you hear if your application has been successful. About the Greater Manchester Grassroots Music Fund Funds for the Greater Manchester Grassroots Music Fund were raised through an auction of guitars showcased across Manchester during the Music for the Senses Art Trail in summer 2025. Some guitars were donated by members of the public and painted by professional artists, while others were contributed and signed by renowned bands and musicians including Oasis, New Order, Elbow, Doves, Busted, The Pixies, Peter Hook, Mani, PINs, and Sea Fever. The Music for the Senses initiative was produced by global art specialists Wild in Art, in collaboration with Manchester City Council.
