Grant funding applications now open for LGBTQ+ projects across Greater Manchester

LGBT Foundation and George House Trust have announced that the Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Community Fund second round of grant funding is now open for applications.

The Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Community Fund initiative aims to fund projects and groups that benefit LGBTQ+ people, or raise awareness and end the stigma of HIV.

Funding of up to £1,000 per grant is available, with applications open until 20 February 2022 to any organisation or project that serves lesbian, gay, bisexual, or trans communities or works to combat HIV stigma.

The first round of funding supported community groups including; Salford Pride, Dibby Theatre, Out in the City, Proud 2b Parents, and Rainbow Noir.

The Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Community Fund allowed Salford Pride to host an important vigil for Trans Day of Remembrance in 2021. Receiving a grant from the project allowed for an online streamed event with music, dance, stories and speakers, to reflect and honour trans and non-binary lives that were lost to transphobia.

The event also gave local transgender and non-binary artists a platform to share their work, with 1,000 people watching, Salford Pride were able to use the opportunity to provide education and awareness of the issues facing trans and non-binary people, and promote making the streets and spaces safer. 

The fund also supported Scottish Country Dance enthusiasts The Gay Gordons to attract new members, offering a unique way for gay men to socialise; and the LGBTQ+ Manchester parents group received funding to continue its free sanitary items and “Hug a Mum” programme, supporting people who for whatever reason couldn’t hug their own mum, alongside its work to support same-sex parents, and education in schools for LGBTQ+ young people.

The second round of funding is hoping to attract a wide range of projects from across all boroughs of Greater Manchester, and LGBT Foundation and George House Trust are keen to hear from grassroots groups that represent the diversity of Greater Manchester’s LGBTQ+ community. 

Paul Martin, Chief Executive at LGBT Foundation, said: “We are pleased to open the second round of funding for the Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Community Fund, which will help the fantastic organisations across the region who provide vital support to our community.

“We hope to encourage applications from under-represented groups across Greater Manchester and we are looking to award grants to groups that can support our wonderfully diverse LGBTQ+ community. We’re proud to be able to offer these funds with our partners George House Trust, which we hope will go a long way in making a difference to the lives of LGBTQ+ people across Greater Manchester.”

Darren Knight Roberts, Chief Executive at George House Trust, said: “We are delighted to be able to fund even more amazing grassroots action through the Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Community Fund.

“I’m particularly keen to see more applications focused on raising awareness of HIV and the impact of HIV stigma in communities from across Greater Manchester in this round.

“At George House Trust, we’re really pleased that together with our partners LGBT Foundation, we are able to support organisations and community groups to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ groups and people living with HIV in Greater Manchester.”

An independent panel of representatives from local statutory services, Manchester City Council, the Village Licensed Business Association (VLBA), George House Trust’s Board of Trustees, LGBT Foundation’s Board of Trustees and a member of the LGBTQ+ community will review all proposals and make all award decisions.

The outcome of funding decisions will be announced in March, and further information on how to apply can be found here.