With a little over two weeks until tickets for the Big Weekend 2013 go on sale, the fundraising charity behind the Manchester Pride festival has announced the successful applicants to the 2012 Community Fund fast track grants programme.

Manchester Pride

The 2012 Manchester Pride Festival raised £52,000 which has been shared between charity partners the Lesbian and Gay Foundation and George House Trust, and the Fast Track Grant scheme.

Some 32 LGBT groups and organisations, and those who work with people living with or affected by HIV have shared £17,100.  A further £5,000 has been allocated for Manchester Pride Fringe Grants, to support group and individual participation in the annual arts and community Fringe Festival which will run throughout August.  Applications for Fringe Grants open on Friday 12 April.

In addition to this funding, half of the money raised by Manchester Pride goes to two long term commitments, namely the Lesbian and Gay Foundation’s free condom and lube scheme and the George House Trust’s HIV Welfare Fund with each allocated £13,000.

A second round of applications will be invited, in the summer, to distribute the remaining funds.

Fast Track grant recipients include:

Young Women’s Peer Health Project: in order to cope with increasing daytime demand for services, the grant will allow project members to establish a community cafe at a local LGBT centre, working with 11 other groups who also use the centre.

New Family Social: Provides support for existing and prospective LGBT adopters and foster carers.  The grant will allow the group to purchase new play equipment.

Metropolitan Community Church: An LGBT based Church, the grant will support work with asylum seekers in the Manchester area, providing a safe social space.

Positive Steps North West: provides peer support to gay men living with HIV across the North West.  The grant will help the group meet its core costs.

Northern Jump: Welcomes people of all abilities to learn to play volleyball and improve their skills.  The grant will enable the club to train a member to become a coach at National Level II, increasing coaching capacity and helping all members fulfil their potential within the team.

Out in Bury: A new group, the grant will help meet start-up costs, and go towards the cost of a social event to attract members.

MORF: The support group for female to male transgender people in Greater Manchester, open to all trans men at any stage of transition.  The grant will fund a residential weekend that will help build members’ confidence

“Our unique festival stages a huge variety of entertainment whilst also raising money for local LGBT and HIV causes,” said Vicken Couligian, Manchester Pride Chair.  “As public sector budgets face further pressure, and people continue to have to tighten their belts, we are pleased to be able to support such a wide range of groups, many of whom rely on the time and talents of hard-working volunteers to continue.”

Fast Track Community Grants are designed for community groups, charities and other organisations to apply for funding to support their general activities and the Fringe Grants are designed to improve the quality and diversity of events staged during Manchester Pride Fringe Festival.

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