The Community Fund is the result of Parklife festival’s approach to partnership working with the three local authorities in Greater Manchester.
Designed for the benefit of community groups, priority is given to groups and projects that benefit parks and open spaces, as well as young people. In addition, for this year, the fund is also welcoming applicants that have considered the cost of living crisis and whether their projects can contribute to relieving the hardship.
Funds are generated from contributions made at the festival by guest-list attendees and through tickets sales donated to various charities for raffles and auctions. The Parklife 2022 Community Fund has generated £57,375 for community groups based around Heaton Park.
The Manchester fund covers Higher Blackley and Crumpsall and groups can apply for up to £5,000. There is £22,500 available in total, £15,000 for Higher Blackley and £7,500 for Crumpsall. Applications should be made to MCC via the Neighbourhood Investment Fund.
The Bury fund covers Sedgley, Holyrood and St Mary’s and there is also £22,000 available with individual award limits of £1,200. Applications will go to a Prestwich Councillor Panel and should be made to Bury Council. The Phoenix Centre will receive £500 to host the Parklife Awards Evening
The Rochdale fund covers South Middleton and there is £2,000 available. Please email communityfund@parklife.uk.com for an application form.
The deadline for all applications to be received is 13th January 2023 and they can be submitted now. Groups will be notified by the end of February 2023 of the outcome.
The Micro Grants fund (up to £750) supports groups from all of the Wards mentioned above across the three Local Authorities. There is £10,375 available. 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 and businesses also benefit from having these events on their doorstep. In 2016 I asked Parklife to set up a community fund, and this year the fund for Prestwich stands at £22,500, which is smaller than last year due to there being no Friday concert.
“It gives local groups and charities in Prestwich the opportunity to bid this money and the maximum amount available for each project remains at £2000. Since 2016 Prestwich has benefitted to the tune of nearly £140,000. 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.”
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods furthered: “Events such as Parklife, brings visitors to Heaton Park and Manchester from all over the country. The Parklife Community Fund provides local residents and communities with the opportunity to enhance their local areas and invest into new projects.
“Local residents and volunteers work hard to ensure their parks and green spaces are well looked after. This grant is an opportunity for people to bid for grants that they think will be beneficial to their local areas. Applications are open now and I would urge people to apply”
This is the sixth year the Parklife Community Fund has made financial contributions to local groups. The total number of Community Fund projects supported last time was 64 and in total since the fund has been running £236,000 has been awarded.
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