We Love MCR Charity (Lord Mayor of Manchester's Charity Appeal Trust)

Manchester's Rising Stars Fund

Grants from £50 to £5,000 for ambitious young people aged 15 to 22 (up to 25 if care experienced or with an EHCP) who live in the City of Manchester and cannot afford what they need to take their next step in work, qualifications, training or entrepreneurship. The charity buys the equipment, courses, books or other items itself rather than paying the young person. Applications are open all year and are assessed by trustees roughly every six to seven weeks; the next deadline is 3 November 2026.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: £50 – £5,000
Closes in: 16 days left; 3 November
Effort: Moderate; full application with documents

Who can apply

Individuals aged 15 (if in Year 11) to 22, or up to 25 if care experienced or held an EHCP at school/college, who have lived in the City of Manchester for over three years (i.e. pay council tax to Manchester City Council; residents of other Greater Manchester boroughs are not eligible)
The residency period does not apply to refugees and asylum-seeking young people, or to Manchester looked-after children placed outside the city
Applicants must show they cannot access the items themselves - through low income (household income below £22,458), homelessness, or caring responsibilities that restrict saving or earning - and a clear, realistic ambition in employment, education, training or (over 18) entrepreneurship
A referee who knows you professionally (teacher, tutor, manager, social worker, coach - not family or friends) must support the application

What it funds

Books, equipment, training courses, access to apps or additional learning materials to support ambitions in education, employment or training
Costs of entering employment, such as specific clothes or tools to take up a job offer (over 18s)
Starting or growing your own business (over 18s; a business plan is required)
A laptop for first-year university students starting an accredited course (application window 1-30 June only), or for care-experienced young people at school or college

Applications choose one of seven themes: Academic, Sport, Business/employment, Creative Arts, Media, University Starters, or Other. Driving lessons are rarely funded - contact the charity first.

What it will not fund

Cash paid to young people - items are ordered and paid for by the charity
Young people who study or work in Manchester but live outside the City of Manchester
Laptops for students at school or college who are not care experienced

How to apply

Check you meet the criteria and read the guidance
Set up an account on the We Love MCR Charity grants platform (tick 'broadcast emails') and use the 'check eligibility' button
Complete all nine tabs of the application, choosing the right theme; you can save and return
Add a referee, who is contacted automatically and must complete the reference - the charity will not chase it
Submit by 4pm on a deadline date (next: 3 November 2026, assessed by 1 December 2026); no extensions
Trustees decide, and the grants manager tells you the outcome; if successful you send a few lines of thanks and a photo and sign an award agreement

Youth organisations, colleges, universities and housing providers can join the referral partnership network to help young people apply.

University Starter laptop applications open 1-30 June only, with the portal reopening for four days from A level results day to add results and proof of place and student support.

Have ready

Proof of benefits, or proof of household income (wage slips or bank statements)
Supporting material, such as examples of your work, a business plan or social media links
A business plan (business/employment theme)
Proof of being care experienced, if applying on that basis

University Starter laptop applications also need proof of A level (or equivalent) results, a confirmed university place and student support.

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