Applications for the 2023 Parklife Community Fund are closing soon

Parklife Community Fund

The Community Fund, run by Parklife, in cooperation with Manchester, Bury and Rochdale councils, is the result of the festival’s approach to partnership working with the three local authorities and has awarded over £250,000 since 2017.

The fund is designed for the benefit of community groups local to the festival's location in Heaton Park and priority is given to groups and projects that benefit parks and open spaces and young people. In addition for this year, whilst not essential, applicants are welcome to think about the cost-of-living crisis and whether their project can contribute to relieving the hardship.

Funds are generated from contributions made at the festival by guest-list attendees and through festival tickets being donated to various charities for raffles and auctions. The Parklife 2023 Community Fund has generated £63,000 for community groups based around Heaton Park.

The deadline for Bury, Rochdale and microgrant applications to be received is Sunday 21 January 2024. Groups will be notified by the end of February 2024 of the outcome.

The Rochdale fund covers South Middleton ward and there is £2,000 available. Please email communityfund@parklife.uk.com for an application form. There are also funds available for Higher Blackley and Crumpsall wards in Manchester and Sedgley, Holyrood and St Mary’s wards in Bury.

The Micro Grants fund (up to £600) supports groups from all the areas mentioned across the three local authorities. There is £10,000 available in total.

For more information please visit www.parkliferesidents.org/community-fund or email communityfund@parklife.uk.com.

Prestwich Councillor Alan Quinn, Bury Council’s cabinet member for the environment and climate change, said:

“We have been working with Parklife and Manchester City Council since the inception of the concerts in Heaton Park, to minimise the disruption to Prestwich residents, and we will continue to do so. It’s important that local people also benefit from having these events on their doorstep. In 2016 I asked Parklife to set up a community fund, and during this cost-of-living crisis, this amount of money will make a real difference to our community groups. The grants will be awarded at an event in Prestwich towards the end of February.”

This is the sixth year the Parklife Community Fund has made financial contributions to local groups. The total number of Community Fund awards made so far is 220 totalling £286,125.

Ben Turner, co-ordinator for the Community Fund said: “It’s always great hearing more about the range and breadth of activities and projects the Parklife Community Fund supports in and around Heaton Park and this year will be no exception. With the input of local councilors, and the enthusiasm of local groups and residents, it feels like the Fund is now established to support opportunities for all ages and all of us at Parklife look forward to it continuing to develop and grow into 2024 and beyond.”