We’re delighted to announce that the latest round of the Together Fund, in partnership with Forever Manchester, is NOW OPEN to applications. The deadline to apply is midday on Thursday the 24th of September 2026. To view this page as a PDF, please click below: The Together Fund PDF Guidance Fund criteria The Together Fund welcomes applications from community groups based in any of the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. This fund will focus on projects that aim to improve access to education, skills training and development opportunities for people from a wide variety of backgrounds and communities across Greater Manchester. Who can apply? The Together Fund aims to encourage and support grassroots community organisations. This means small, community-based and locally controlled groups that manage themselves, encourage people to get involved as volunteers and who just need a bit of financial help to be able to work with their community in the way they’d like. Applicants must be based in one of the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester and have an annual income of less than £75,000. How much can you apply for? The maximum award request that will be considered is £2,500. What can you apply for? Local groups understand how they can best work in their communities, so we don’t want to limit the type of request you can make. You just need to let us know what you want to do and what positive things your activity will provide for those in your community. Currently, the Together Fund is keen to support organisations running projects that create opportunities for people throughout Greater Manchester. These programmes can target skills development, increasing access to learning and training programmes, providing assistance to individuals from various backgrounds. The Fund also encourages initiatives that offer additional training, helping more people secure employment and build lasting careers. The following are just some examples of the type of project the Fund may support: Projects that involve ongoing activities aimed at building communication, teamwork, and other essential life or work skills. Initiatives that help people find volunteering opportunities within the community. Programs might include activities that teach transferable abilities like collaboration or leadership. This might include sports groups, creative arts or other weekly sessions that develop skills. Support and mentoring for those looking to change work or careers or develop interview and CV writing skills. Is there anything you can’t apply for? Unfortunately, there are a few things that can’t be funded, such as activities that have already taken place or been paid for, contributions to major appeals, activities promoting political or religious beliefs and activity which should be provided by statutory services. 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 For help and guidance on your groups supporting documents and to see what we require to be submitted alongside your application, please refer to our guidance which you can find here: For Supporting Information Please note that this information forms part of the Fund guidance and should be read in full before you start the application form. Deadline for Applications We will close for applications at midday on Thursday 24th September 2026. Any applications received after this time will not be considered. OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS How long will a decision take? We aim to let you know the outcome of your application to The Together Fund by mid November 2026. If you have any questions or have trouble completing your application, please contact us at awards@forevermanchester.com or phone 0161 214 0940. Our Frequently asked questions (FAQs) provide further information about our funding programmes, who can apply and the application process. About Together Based in Cheadle, Cheshire, specialist lender Together has been delivering secured lending for nearly 50 years, using its wealth of expertise and industry knowledge to consider individual circumstances to find a way to help its customers. Together offer a variety of specialist mortgages and secured loans for all sorts of people and businesses, which aren’t widely available through mainstream lenders. These include, personal mortgages, secured loans, bridging loans, commercial mortgages, buy-to-let mortgages, auction finance, and development finance.
