Purpose

The grant will provide GMCA’s £500,000 contribution to the wider £1 million Live Well Communities Fund, alongside £500,000 from NHS Greater Manchester. It builds on the first-year prototype, which tested more accessible and community-led approaches to funding grassroots activity addressing health inequalities.

In Year 2, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity will act as the coordinating organisation, using its charitable status and networks to help attract further philanthropic and corporate investment.

Funding will be distributed through the agreed Y2 Communities fund partnership arrangements with 10GM, Local Infrastructure Organisations covering all 10 Greater Manchester localities, and the cross-Greater Manchester equity partnership. This approach will enable funding to reach small and grassroots VCSE organisations, strengthen resident involvement in funding decisions, support community-led health and wellbeing activity, and generate learning to inform the Fund’s future sustainability.

Decision

To approve the award of a £500,000 grant from GMCA’s approved Live Well budget to Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity to support delivery of the 2026/27 Live Well Communities Fund.

Alternative options considered

Do not award the grant:
Rejected because it would remove GMCA’s contribution, reduce the overall resources available to communities, interrupt progress from the successful first-year prototype and weaken the opportunity to develop a sustainable Greater Manchester-wide fund.

Make separate awards directly to delivery organisations:
Rejected because it would duplicate the Year 1 model, require multiple grant arrangements and provide less opportunity to coordinate the partnership, leverage additional investment and establish a clearer route for city-region-wide governance and learning.

Procure an alternative provider:
Rejected because the funds partnership has been agreed with GMCA, NHS GM, 10GM and the Mayors Charity.