What Forever Manchester does

Forever Manchester is a registered charity (number 1017504) and company limited by guarantee (number 2785133) founded in 1989, operating as the only community foundation dedicated to funding and supporting community activity across all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. Its core offering combines grant-making through named programmes (CDL Fund, Circle Funerals Fund, Autotrader Community Fund, Autotrader Digital Inclusion Fund, Bright Futures Fund) with a Community Building team that places dedicated Community Builders in named neighborhoods (Benchill, Hulme, Trafford, Lancashire Hill, Eccles, Hag Fold) and delivers Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Training externally. Since 1989 the organisation has delivered over £67 million into local communities and supports more than 1,300 grassroots community projects annually.

The business model is a diversified non-profit fundraising stack with six documented revenue streams: individual donations (online via MyGivingHub), corporate partnerships (40+ business supporters including Autotrader, CDL, Kellogg's, Barclays, AO Arena, Manchester Building Society), the Forever Manchester Lottery, events (Forever Funny Comedy Night, Tough Mudder, Forever Manchester Rocks), legacy/bequests, and designated named funds. Distribution occurs through online grant applications, community-radio broadcast on 9 stations, a podcast series, social channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram), and direct corporate outreach. There is no proprietary technology platform; supporting systems are standard charity infrastructure (MyGivingHub for donations, Skiddle for event ticketing, a wholly owned trading subsidiary Forever Manchester Trading Limited for trading activities).

The organisation employs 11-50 staff at 1st Floor Phoenix House, Manchester, with most working hybrid. Governance sits with a Board of Trustees, a new Chair (Rebecca Durrant) and Vice Chair (Sandy Lindsay MBE), and a leadership team undergoing significant renewal in 2025-2026: outgoing CEO Nick Massey CBE (27 years) is being succeeded by Deputy CEO Rachel Hirst effective 12 June 2026, supported by new Director of Philanthropy Development and Marketing Anne-Marie Wynne, new Vice President Steven Jagger, and new Ambassador Alexander Magee. The charity holds Fundraising Regulator registration, UK Community Foundations membership, Living Wage Foundation accreditation, IVAR Open and Trusting status, ICO data-protection registration, and GDPR compliance.

Name

Forever Manchester

Legal name

Forever Manchester

Website

https://forevermanchester.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Forever Manchester is a registered charity founded in 1989 and the only community foundation serving all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, raising and distributing funds to over 1,300 grassroots community projects annually through donations, corporate partnerships, lottery, events, and named grant programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance) (BPAGALAA)

Keywords

• Community foundation services
• Charitable grant programs
• Community development funding
• Corporate philanthropy partnerships
• Grassroots fundraising support

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: General donations from individuals supporting Greater Manchester communities through the charity's online donation portal.
2. Business/Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with businesses across Greater Manchester who support the charity through corporate giving, sponsorships, and employee fundraising.
3. Forever Manchester Lottery: Weekly lottery programme allowing supporters to participate while raising funds for community causes.
4. Events: Fundraising events including Tough Mudder, comedy nights, and other community events where ticket sales and sponsorship support the charity.
5. Legacy Giving: Legacies and bequests left in supporters' wills to provide long-term sustainable funding.
6. Named Funds: Various named funds (CDL Fund, Circle Funerals Fund, Autotrader Digital Inclusion Fund) established by corporate partners for specific community purposes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Forever Manchester is the only charity that raises money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester. Founded in 1989, it operates as a community foundation distributing grants to grassroots community groups through named funds (CDL Fund, Circle Funerals Fund, Autotrader Digital Inclusion Fund), deploying Community Builders into neighborhoods, and delivering Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Training. Revenue is generated through individual donations, corporate partnerships, a weekly lottery, fundraising events, and legacy giving.

Product overview

Forever Manchester operates as a single unified community foundation service rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offering combines grant distribution programs (including named funds like CDL Fund, Circle Funerals Fund, and Autotrader Digital Inclusion Fund) with community building initiatives and the ABCD Training product. Supporting revenue streams include the Forever Manchester Lottery, events (Tough Mudder, Forever Funny Comedy Night), and the Forever Manchester Podcast series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Forever Manchester Lottery: A lottery programme allowing supporters to participate in fundraising for Greater Manchester communities.
• Forever Manchester Podcast
• Forever Funny Comedy Night

Products and services

• Community Foundation Grant Programs Grant programmes (including CDL Fund, Circle Funerals Fund, and Autotrader Digital Inclusion Fund) that award funding to grassroots community groups across the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, with awards up to £2,500 for digital inclusion projects and programme-specific criteria.
• Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Training A training product based on Asset-Based Community Development methodology, delivered externally for a fee, that teaches organisations how to identify, connect and showcase community assets.
• Forever Manchester Lottery A weekly lottery product allowing individuals to participate in a fundraising game while supporting community causes across Greater Manchester.
• Forever Funny Comedy Night Annual comedy night fundraising event held at the Frog and Bucket venue in Manchester, with individual tickets at £20 per person and tables of 10 available; all profits support community activity across Greater Manchester.
• Tough Mudder Fundraising Challenge Obstacle course challenge event where participants fundraise for Forever Manchester while completing a 5K course with 12+ obstacles, at £35 per person inclusive of medal, t-shirt, headband and drink.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over £67 million delivered into local communities since 1989
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

54 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core, supporting and flagship.

• Moya Cole HospiceminorOthers · 2 April 2026Anne-Marie Wynne joined Forever Manchester from Moya Cole Hospice where she served as Head of Fundraising and Capital Campaign.
• DF CapitalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecialist bank providing award-winning finance solutions to dealer and manufacturing businesses. Headquartered in Manchester with over 130 employees. Supports Forever Manchester as a corporate partner.
• NPP ResidentialcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMulti-award-winning property agency in Manchester City Centre since 2011. Provides residential sales, lettings, property management, and investment services.
• Swansway Motor GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily dealer group with 26 dealerships from Birmingham to Carlisle representing VW, Audi, Land Rover, Jaguar, SEAT, CUPRA, Peugeot, Honda, and VW Commercial Vehicles. Founded 2003.
• Baywater HealthcaresupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerIndependent specialist provider of healthcare services to patients with long term conditions, serving over 40,000 patients throughout the UK.
• CellnexcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEurope's largest independent telecoms infrastructure provider. Committed to closing the digital divide in the UK with one of their biggest UK offices in Manchester.
• Together MoneycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecialist lender delivering secured lending for nearly 50 years. Based in Cheadle, Cheshire with a loan book of over £6.2 billion. Delivers the Together Energy Fund.
• Eversheds SutherlandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal top 10 law practice providing legal advice and solutions to international client base including some of the world's largest multinationals.
• MSB SolicitorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEstablished in 1988, one of the most trusted law firms in the North West with 14 departments covering family, property, commercial, housing, and crime law.
• Circle FuneralscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndependent funeral service in Altrincham run by husband-and-wife team Jeremy and Sara Fixter, available 24/7. Operates the Circle Funerals Fund for grassroots community groups in South Trafford.
• Great Northern WarehousesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of Manchester's most popular destinations for leisure, food and drink with Grade 2 listed Warehouse Building and longest Victorian Terrace in Europe.
• Mighty GiantsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAnimation and Motion Design Studio based in Manchester. Works with charities producing films for Save The Children, Children in Need, and Shelter.
• Places MadesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerWorks to curate and shape places that work for everyone through strategic, effective, and collaborative place management and holistic place-making.
• ZutocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMarket leading car finance fintech with over 15 years' experience matching customers with the right product. Trusted by over 3 million customers. Sponsors Forever Funny Comedy Night.
• Schroders Personal WealthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUses transparency and listening to help clients build financial plans. Shares many of Forever Manchester's values regarding community impact.
• Bee2Bee ConsultantssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness development consultancy serving SMEs in construction and the built environment. Founded by Claire Taylor in 2019.
• MCDAsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerManchester Creative Digital Assets Limited manages assets funded by Manchester City Council to grow digital, production, and creative sectors including The Sharp Project and Space Studios Manchester.
• Stagecoach ManchestercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading bus operator in Greater Manchester with 2,323 people, 750 buses, serving over 106 million passengers annually. Invested over £25.8m since 2015 in new buses.
• Cuckoo DesignsupportingTechnology or IntegrationBrand, marketing and digital agency with 30 years of industry experience helping brands communicate more clearly.
• Big CloudsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInnovative recruitment company focused on data science, machine learning and AI. Founded 2013, based in Manchester's Northern Quarter.
• RiskBoxcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndependent Commercial Insurance Broker founded in 2013 with wealth of experience in media and technology sector. Ran Bulletproof Agency Network Conference raising £2,237 for Forever Manchester.
• OFR ConsultantscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUK's leading independent fire risk consultancy founded in 2016 in Manchester, employing more than 140 colleagues from over 20 countries.
• Worker Bee MCRsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRange of coffee and teas with proud Manchester heritage named after famous Manchester industrial mills. Gives a percentage of sales to Forever Manchester.
• Maxwell BondcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecialist recruitment company in Technology, Cyber Security & Business Intelligence sectors. Founded by Steven Jagger who was appointed Vice President of Forever Manchester.
• Frog and BucketcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerComedy club on edge of Northern Quarter in Manchester, one of the first venues in the now creatively bustling district. Hosts Forever Funny Comedy Night.
• Hall BrownsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBoutique family law firm offering best-in-class advice on a full range of family law services.
• MAP AccountantssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecialise in helping digital creative agencies grow more profitably using Xero and other leading accounting tools.
• AT Engine ControlssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDelivers specialist support solutions for high reliability and safety critical products and systems including Product Lifecycle Support and Obsolescence management.
• AutotraderflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerUK's largest automotive marketplace powered by tech and made possible by people. Has delivered the Autotrader Community Fund for 5 years with £256,428 awarded to 276 projects benefiting 118,271 people. Also sponsors the Autotrader Digital Inclusion Fund up to £2,500 per grant.
• BarclayscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHas strong traditions in Manchester dating back to acquisition of Union Bank of Manchester (1836). Corporate and Wealth & Investment Management Teams in Spinningfields. Supporting Forever Manchester since 2014.
• Menzies LLPcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of UK's leading accountancy and advisory firms with over 1,100 people. Beever and Struthers has merged with Menzies, offering national service with international reach through HLB network.
• Boss Model ManagementsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFounded by Debra Burns in November 1988, one of the most active and respected Model Agencies in the UK.
• CDLflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerStockport-based insurtech powering transactions across insurance and financial services markets. Has run the CDL Fund for over a decade, a community investment programme awarding grants to Stockport-based community projects focusing on digital inclusion, education, employability, arts, culture, and disadvantaged groups.
• dbn AudilesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerIndependent event lighting specialist designing, specifying, and supplying complete lighting and rigging systems.
• DH WeltonsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerWorks on principle of providing excellent service through repeat business and word of mouth. Committed to environmentally sustainable quality service and products.
• EvunasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFine wine house importing Fine Spanish Wines from Boutique wineries. Evuna Deansgate opened November 2003.
• Express SolicitorssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerNational firm of fully accredited solicitors pursuing no win no fee personal injury, medical negligence, and serious injury claims from Manchester headquarters.
• Fourth Day PRsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecialists in tech PR creating campaigns and content that enhance reputations. Teams in London, Manchester, Paris, Berlin, Casablanca, Brisbane, and Toronto.
• The Hill GroupsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAward winning office supply firm established since 1994, supplying senior executives and specialist engineers to niche sectors including Automotive, Aerospace, Oil and Gas/Energy.
• XeinadincoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTop 20 UK and Ireland based firm of accountants and business advisors with more than 2,000 people spanning office network.
• Kellogg'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAmerican multinational food manufacturing company. Largest factory at Trafford Park in Greater Manchester, also location of European headquarters. Major fundholder for Forever Manchester.
• AO Arena ManchestercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of the busiest venues in the world and largest indoor arena in Europe with 21,000 capacity. Attracting over one million visitors each year. Headline sponsor since 2020.
• Manchester Building SocietycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFocused on building a better financial future for people and communities across Greater Manchester and wider North West. Committed to investing in physical branch network.
• OscarsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInternationally renowned recruitment partner for technical and managerial candidates in Energy and IT/Technology sectors. Offices in Manchester UK and Houston US.
• Seventy7supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCollective of specialists in content that reaches, connects and inspires consumers. Clients include DW Sports, M&S, EPI, Shop Direct and Creative England.
• VoicescapesupportingTechnology or IntegrationDevelops technology solutions for customer communications helping increase efficiency and improve service levels. Over 20 years of experience.
• VS GroupsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTelecoms company for charities and businesses founded in 2012 by Kevin Penman. Manchester-based team with unique understanding of charitable and voluntary sector. Over 200 UK customers.
• Nine St John StreetsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of the Leading Sets on the Northern Circuit ranked in both Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners legal journals.
• Tangerine CommunicationsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading marketing consultancy that created The Juice Academy. Partnered with Forever Manchester to create The Bright Futures Fund worth over £100,000 per year for 3 years supporting VCSE organisations improving life chances of people in Greater Manchester.
• National Emergency TrustcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partner that Forever Manchester has engaged with for emergency funding distribution.
• NHScoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational partner engaged with for health-related community funding initiatives.
• UKCF (UK Community Foundations)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational body for community foundations that Forever Manchester engages with as a member foundation.
• Wigan CouncilsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFunded the Community Building Team's work in the Hag Fold area of Atherton for the first year.
• My Favourite Voucher CodessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity poll partner enabling supporters to vote for Forever Manchester to receive donations.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Direct peers

• Heart of England Community Foundation: Community foundation covering the West Midlands and Warwickshire, operating named funds (e.g., Hollybush Trust), corporate partnerships, and grassroots grant programmes. Closest functional peer in terms of regional operating model.
• Liverpool Community Foundation: Community foundation serving the Liverpool City Region with a comparable model: named corporate funds, grant programmes, and community-building activity in Northwest England. Most direct regional peer given shared geography and donor pool.
• County Durham Community Foundation: Long-established UK community foundation providing grants and managing corporate donor funds in the North East. Comparable in operating model, fund types, and grant-making approach to Forever Manchester.
• Bristol Community Foundation: Community foundation for the Bristol and West of England area, distributing grants and managing donor funds for grassroots community activity. Comparable structure and mission as a regional community foundation.
• Leeds Community Foundation: Community foundation serving Leeds and West Yorkshire with corporate fund management, individual giving, and community grant programmes. Closely comparable in scale, governance, and funding streams to Forever Manchester.

Broad incumbents

• The National Lottery Community Fund: Largest community funder in the UK distributing hundreds of millions annually to community organisations. Comparable in mission (grassroots community funding) but operates nationally with much greater scale and government-backed funding.
• UK Community Foundations: National umbrella network for 46 accredited community foundations across the UK. Forever Manchester is a member foundation, and UKCF provides the network standards, brand, and national funding access that Forever Manchester benefits from while operating at a regional level.
• City Bridge Foundation (Greater London): Largest UK community foundation, funded by the City of London Corporation's charity, distributing over £30M annually across Greater London. Comparable mission but vastly larger scale and a different funding source (endowment vs fundraising).

Emerging players

• The Big Give: UK online matching platform connecting donors to charities via pledge-funded campaigns. Comparable in enabling charitable giving to community causes but operates as a technology platform rather than a direct grant-maker.
• Groundwork UK: National federation of Groundwork trusts delivering community-based environmental and regeneration programmes. Adjacent in mission (community capacity building) and overlaps with Forever Manchester's community-building team approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubepodbean.com/podcast-detail/1166677/144655/Forever-Manchester-Podcast
• Facebookfacebook.com/forevermanchester
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forevermanchester
• Instagraminstagram.com/4evermanchester
• Xx.com/4EVERManchester

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Forever Manchester