MANCHESTER MUSIC FOUNDATION TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
12/06/2024 – 31/03/2025
Registered Charity Number: 1208644
"Empowering Greater Manchester'syoung musicians throughcollaboration, creativity, andopportunity."
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CONTENTS
| About Manchester Music Foundation | 2 |
|---|---|
| Objectives and Activities | 3 |
| Our Year in Music | 4 |
| Website Launch | 6 |
| Financial Review | 7 |
| Looking Ahead | 8 |
| Governance and Trustees | 9 |
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ABOUT MANCHESTER MUSIC FOUNDATION
Manchester Music Foundation (MMF) is a registered charity dedicated to empowering young people across Greater Manchester through music. The charity provides access to - high quality music education, creative opportunities, and performance experiences for children and young adults, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
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300+ 10+
Young People Engaged Partner Schools
5 3
Boroughs Reached Core Programmes
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OUR BELIEF
MMF believes that music has the power to unite communities, build confidence, and inspire positive change. Through partnerships with schools, local authorities, and cultural organisations, MMF ensures that every young person has the opportunity to experience the joy of making music.
Registered Charity Number: 1208644
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OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Manchester Music Foundation (MMF) exists to support young people across Greater Manchester through music, education, and creative opportunity. Its charitable objects are drawn from its Constitution and include advancing education, supporting young people facing disadvantage, and promoting the musical heritage of Manchester.
PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit throughout the year. All activities undertaken by MMF directly contribute to advancing education and promoting community cohesion through music.
GRANT-MAKING POLICY
MMF supports organisations and individuals through structured grant-making and bursaries, as outlined in its policy. Grants are awarded to organisations whose work aligns with MMF's strategic aims. Bursaries support young people facing financial and social barriers.
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OUR YEAR IN MUSIC
STOP! ANTI-HATE WEEK PROJECT
In partnership with Greater Manchester's "No Place for Hate" campaign, MMF delivered a week-long creative project encouraging young people to use music as a tool for unity and inclusion. Participants composed original songs and performed them at community events celebrating diversity and respect.
Highlights:
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Over 300 young people engaged in anti-hate workshops
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Collaborative performances across Manchester schools
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Integration of the Too Great For Hate (TGFH) message through music and art
"Musicgives us a voice to standtogether against hate."
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MUSIC FOR ALL
This initiative provided free taster sessions and instrument loans to children who otherwise would not have access to music education. Over 300 young people participated across five boroughs, discovering new talents and building confidence through creative expression.
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Impact:
300+
Young people engaged
10+
Partner schools
5
Boroughs reached
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MUSIC FOR LIFE (NEET TRAILBLAZER)
A targeted program supporting young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Participants developed transferable skills through songwriting, production, and live performance, helping them re-engage with education and employment pathways.
Secured £17,550 in restricted funding from Tameside MBC to support music education initiatives, equipment purchases, and partnership activities with local schools and community groups.
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
The charity remains financially stable and continues to develop its reserves strategy. MMF's principal sources of income include grants, donations, and commissioned activity.
Income Sources
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Grant funding
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Charitable donations
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Commissioned activity
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Fundraising events
Financial Stability
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Developing reserves strategy
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Diversified funding base
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Sustainable programme delivery
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Strong financial governance
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NEW MILESTONE: WEBSITE LAUNCH
We were delighted to launch our new website, marking an important step in our digital development and outreach capabilities.
Visit us at
manchestermusicfoundation.org
Our new website provides comprehensive information about our programmes, news and updates, and ways to get involved. It serves as a platform for sharing stories of impact and connecting with our community of supporters.
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
For the period 12 June 2024 – 31 March 2025
This financial period reflects a period of steady income growth and targeted expenditure to support the ' Foundation s charitable objectives, including the Too Great For Hate (TGFH) and Music for Life projects.
INCOME BREAKDOWN
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Source Description Amount Fund Type
TAMESIDE MBC GM TGFH funding £500 Restricted
Cash & Cheque Deposits TMS bucket donations £676 Unrestricted
Donation from Mr & Mrs H Unrestricted donation £500 Unrestricted
TAMESIDE MBC Music for Life funding £17,550 Restricted
Total Income £19,226
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The majority of income this year was derived from local authority grants and community donations, with restricted funds supporting specific music outreach projects.
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EXPENDITURE BREAKDOWN
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Description Category Amount
Bank charges (Jun–Aug) Bank charges £16.66
Tameside Metropolitan Operational expenditure £800
Zurich Insurance Public liability insurance £56
Currys Business Bury Capital asset purchase (equipment) £3,495.96
Tameside Sports Trust Operational expenditure £208
Total Expenditure £4,575.62
Net Movement in Funds (Surplus) £14,800.38
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FINANCIAL POSITION
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Category Amount
Opening funds £0
Net movement in funds £14,800.38
Closing funds (carried forward) £14,800.38
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The Foundation remains in a strong financial position, with sufficient unrestricted reserves to support ongoing operations and project development in 2026–27.
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LOOKING AHEAD
In 2026, MMF aims to build on this year's successes with ambitious new goals:
EXPAND MUSIC FOR ALL
Reach 50 more young people through our accessible music education programme.
NEW PARTNERSHIPS
Develop new partnerships with local schools and cultural venues across Greater Manchester.
DIGITAL RESEARCH HUB
Launch a digital research hub offering insightful resources, music education news, and career advice.
ANTI-HATE INITIATIVES
Continue supporting anti-hate and inclusion initiatives through creative collaboration.
PARTICIPANT STORIES
Include feedback, quotes, and video testimonials from participants to showcase impact.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Legal Structure
MMF is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by its Constitution. This structure provides the benefits of incorporation while maintaining the accountability expected of a charity.
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Governance and Safeguarding
The charity is governed by a board of trustees who bring expertise in education, music, and community development. Trustees meet quarterly to oversee strategy, compliance, and financial management. MMF maintains robust safeguarding policies to protect all participants. All staff and volunteers undergo enhanced DBS checks and regular training.
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GOVERNANCE AND TRUSTEES
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Jonathan Parkes Chair Holly McBride Trustee Elizabeth Barras Trustee
CHARITY DETAILS
Charity Number: Structure: Registered Address:
1208644
CIO 23 Whitfield Cross, Glossop, SK13 8NW
DECLARATION
The trustees confirm that this report has been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for charities.
Approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Jonathan Parkes
Chair of Trustees
Thankyou to everyone who supportedour mission to make music accessible for all.
CONTACT US
www.manchestermusicfoundation.org
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mancmusicfoundation@gmail.com