GrantRadar

Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund

Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund

Grants of up to £3,000 for community, social and environmental groups within about 10 miles of Manchester Airport, concentrating on the areas most exposed to aircraft noise. The fund only pays for tangible items of lasting benefit, such as equipment, furniture or white goods, not running costs. Trustees appointed by the airport and six local councils decide four times a year. Funded by Manchester Airports Group and by fines on aircraft breaching noise limits; the average award in 2022-23 was £1,600.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £3,000
Deadline
23 days left
6 December
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Community groups, voluntary groups, self-help groups, community charities and local branches of national charities that are not-for-profit, of a charitable nature, community, socially or environmentally focused, and based within the area of benefit: roughly a 10-mile radius of Manchester Airport, concentrating on the areas most exposed to aircraft noise (the eligible zone is defined by postcode on the fund's map, covering parts of Manchester, Trafford, Stockport, Tameside, Salford, Warrington, Cheshire East and Cheshire West)
  • Groups must be established, with clear banking or financial records; newly formed groups (under three months old) or groups without accounts must supply at least a two-year financial projection, and groups under 12 months old may add a supporting reference from an unrelated local figure such as a councillor
  • Projects in a building need ownership or a lease with at least five years left
  • Access must be open to a wide section of the community, over and above any statutory obligations

What it funds

  • Tangible items of lasting benefit, such as equipment (white goods, play equipment, furniture)
  • Projects that improve, enhance, protect and conserve the natural and built environment
  • Heritage conservation
  • Projects that promote or advance social welfare
  • Projects that provide better appreciation of the natural and urban environment
  • Creating a safe habitat for flora and fauna

Projects must show lasting and wide benefit to the whole community, or a substantial section of it. Defibrillators are accepted if available for public use and registered.

What it will not fund

  • Running costs, such as heat, light, salaries, fees, subscriptions and coaching fees
  • Training
  • One-off events
  • Uniforms or kit used solely by one individual, including football and uniform kits
  • General maintenance, such as decorating or repairs to windows, roofs or electrics
  • Retrospective costs or projects that have already taken place
  • Individuals and commercial organisations working for profit
  • Groups of an exclusive nature
  • Schools, unless they can demonstrate community use or benefit to people who do not attend the school

How to apply

  1. Read the online process guidelines and FAQs
  2. Complete the online application form on the MAG community funds portal (magcommunityfunds.smapply.org) by the submission deadline before a trustees' meeting
  3. Trustees consider applications at quarterly meetings (January, April, July, October)

Remaining 2027 deadlines published: 12 March (April meeting), 12 June (July meeting), 4 September (October meeting) and 10 December 2027 (January 2028 meeting). Eligibility queries: 07958 876353.

Have ready

  • A recent bank statement showing balance, account number, sort code and account holder's name
  • At least two quotes for the items requested
  • Clear financials: income and expenditure for the group
  • Constitution, terms of reference or mission statement

Photographs and supporting files may be added; trustees review up to 30 applications a meeting, so keep it concise.

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