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Step Forward Fund

Step Forward Fund

Step Up MCR’s Step Forward Fund has £5,000 available for community groups in Ancoats & Beswick and Clayton & Openshaw!

Step Forward Fund: Community Christmas & Pitching Event!

Celebrating local ideas, local voices and local cheer!
 
The Step Forward Fund is putting the power in the hands of the community to vote on which causes receive local funds at this year’s Clayton Community Christmas event!

You should only apply if you or a member of your team are available to pitch at the Community Christmas & Pitch Event on 18 December 2025 at The Resonance Centre, Clayton.

The fund closes on Monday 1st December, 5pm. 

About the fund

Thanks to Great Places, The Step Forward Fund has £5,000 available for community groups in Ancoats & Beswick and Clayton & Openshaw.

You can apply for a grant of £500 or £2,000, depending on the size of your idea, project or organisation. 

First Steps Fund- Apply for £500  
Take your ideas off the page and into the community with our First Steps Fund. Anyone with a good idea for a project to boost health and wellbeing in your neighbourhood can apply. You don’t need to have a bank account or be set-up as an organisation (but Step Up MCR can support your project’s development if you’re successful).  

Community Grant- Apply for £2,000 
If you have an existing project improving health and wellbeing in your neighbourhood, you can apply for a Community Grant of £2,000. You’ll need to have a bank account in your organisation’s name to apply.  

*As well as community pitching and voting, the event will be a Christmas Celebration with choirs, Santa, mince pies, mulled wine, and more!  

Apply Here

What we can fund

We are looking to fund new or existing work that improves health and wellbeing at a community level. You could already be supporting people’s health and wellbeing through your current activities. 

Here are just a few examples of eligible projects:

  • Healthy cooking classes
  • Cost of living or employment support
  • Walking, cycling or swimming groups
  • Gardening projects
  • Support with addiction
  • Mindfulness classes or yoga sessions

Fund Information

Step Up MCR is committed to connecting with local people, groups and businesses to create happier and healthier communities, so that everybody feels at home in our city. 
 
By working together, we know we can support, sustain and strengthen local neighbourhoods, creating places that people are proud of and want to live in. 
 
The Step Forward Fund gives neighbours an opportunity to Step Forward to pitch, Step Forward to vote, and Step Forward to take action. 
 
Pitches should demonstrate how your project will boost health and wellbeing in the community of Ancoats & Beswick or Clayton & Openshaw.
 
It’s easy to apply, all you need to do is complete our short application form and we’ll let you know if you’ve been shortlisted to pitch. 
Anyone! 
 
We want anyone with a good idea for Ancoats & Beswick and Clayton & Openshaw to have access to the funding they need to grow their project. 
 
We’re here to give a step up to local community projects, whether you’re starting from scratch or fundraising for that last extra bit towards your goal. You don’t even need to be incorporated or registered as an organisation.
 
Need some inspiration? Here are just some of the community projects Step Up MCR is working with in your area.
Pitching doesn’t guarantee funding, but you’ll always get something out of the process by stepping forwards. 
 
The Step Forward Fund is a great way to raise money for your project, build community support and make connections that can help your project thrive. 
 
Collaborative, not competitive
We are more than just a funder. Step Up MCR can offer the connections and peer support, fundraising assistance, development, access to opportunities and promotion your project needs. 
 
We’ll be there on the night to chat about any ideas you have. 
 
Check out our Community Offer page to find out how we can help to grow your project. 
The application form is short and simple to complete.
 
Your application must demonstrate how your idea will improve the health and wellbeing in communities in Ancoats & Beswick and Clayton & Openshaw. 
 
In submitting your application, you confirm that you or a member of your team is available to pitch at the Step Forward event on 18th December at The Resonance Centre, Clayton.
We will offer a pitch training session to all projects who apply – even if you don’t get selected to pitch on the night. 
 
Pitch training will offer advice on how to present your idea in a few short minutes, and be as persuasive as it can be. 
  • Projects that have received Step Up MCR funding within the 12 months.
  • Projects out of our neighbourhood wards, except where applicants can demonstrate people from these wards are the main beneficiaries.
  • Projects which are for individual benefit.
  • Projects promoting politics or religion. Churches or religious bodies may apply as long as the project benefits the wider community. 
  • Companies that can pay profits to directors, shareholders or members.
  • Schools and health bodies my apply but we will not fund statutory activities.