Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund supports local causes with £24,000 in grants

Groups including allotments, sports clubs and community centres are among those to have been awarded a grant from the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund at its latest meeting.

The Community Trust Fund, which is managed by a committee of trustees from the local area alongside representatives from Manchester Airport, considers applications from groups based within 10 miles of the airport, including parts of Manchester, Tameside, Trafford, Stockport and Cheshire.

It was set up in 1997 and has donated more than £4 million in that time – with a commitment to pledge at least £100,000 per year. Charities and not-for-profit community groups or projects are able to bid for up to £3,000 of funding for initiatives with a clear and lasting community benefit, with applications considered on a quarterly basis.

Among the 18 organisations supported with a combined £24,000 in the latest funding round was the David Lewis Centre, in Alderley Edge, which will get £1,000 to fund some new accessible picnic benches. Sarah Johnson, Head of Fundraising & Communications at David Lewis, said:

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund for their generous support. This funding will help the people we support to make the most of our wonderful outdoor spaces, enabling them to enjoy time outside and take part in meaningful activities that benefit their health and wellbeing.”

Robert Pattison, Chair of Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund, said:

“Our Community Trust Fund is a powerful example of the way Manchester Airport contributes to its neighbouring communities beyond just flying people to the destinations they want to get to or creating jobs for local people. We’ve now donated more than £120,000 to good causes in local communities over the course of 2025, and we’re proud of the impact this scheme continues to have in local communities, having issued its first grants almost three decades ago.

“If you are involved with a charity or community project within our area of benefit, we’d love to hear from you ahead of the Community Trust Fund’s next meeting.”

Details on how to apply for a Community Trust Fund grant, and the full criteria, can be found on the Manchester Airport website. The deadline for new applications ahead of the next quarterly meeting is Friday 19^th December.