Inspire Magazine - Spring 2018

NEWS
Our Catalyst Fund winners
February saw the launch of our Catalyst Fund pitching event, with 18 local organisations
gathering to propose their ideas to a panel of judges.
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The fund is part of our commitment to support
local organisations that are creating opportunities
in our areas, and we were able to offer grants of
between £500 and £5,000.
The Catalyst Fund is a great way for us to support
trading businesses (which includes start-ups or
existing businesses hoping to expand), and the
winners are decided by a panel of judges.
The evening saw representatives take to the
podium with just three minutes to tell the
audience and judges more about their business
and why they were looking for funding.
Catalyst Fund differs to Community Soups as the
focus is more on supporting trading businesses
to establish and grow. Catalyst Fund winners are
selected by a panel with expertise and business
support and social enterprise who are looking
for sustainable ideas whereas Community Soup
winners are chosen by local people voting
for community projects they would like to
support in their area. Both allow us to work with
organisations to improve our areas by helping to
encourage new ideas and bring people together
to make things happen in their area.
@onemcr
Here are the winners from our first Catalyst Fund:
Back on Track - City-wide
The local charity supports disadvantaged people through education,
training, work experience and volunteering and applied for funding to
extend their ‘Swan Kitchen’ enterprise.
Calyx Drinks - Ardwick and Gorton
The business produce African and Caribbean fruit drinks and syrups from
natural ingredients such as hibiscus flowers, fruit juices and spices. They
were pitching to set up a marketing retail outlet in Ardwick and Gorton.
Dirt Factory - Gorton
With the aim of becoming a new outdoor mountain bike park with facilities
including a bike shop, mechanic and café area, they were seeking funding
to fit out a container as a classroom for educational and community events.
The Old Abbey Taphouse - Hulme
The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) focused
pub in Hulme want to develop their outdoor area with various facilities to
be used as a community hub.
Hulme Community Garden Centre - Hulme
As a not-for-profit garden centre in Hulme, their mission is to bring the
local community together through gardening. They were seeking funding
to contribute to a larger redevelopment project on their site.
Sow the City - Moss Side
The social enterprise focuses on community food-growing projects and
were hoping for start-up costs for a new ‘Men’s Shed’ project at the Boiler
House in Moss Side.
The Circus House - Longsight
A not-for-profit circus skills company based in Longsight, The Circus
House provides inclusive classes and workshops, and was seeking
funding for the set-up, promotion and administration of circus skills
activities for primary schools.
Wesley Community Furniture - Fallowfield and Hulme
The not-for-profit organisation provides recycled furniture and household
items to people in need. They were looking for funding to help establish
and improve storage in their new premises in Longsight to expand their
operations.
Whalley Rangers - Whalley Range and Moss Side
The group want to establish a regular community market on Withington
Road around the Whalley Range and Moss Side areas. They were pitching
to fund their street trading licence and for marketing materials.
Wrays Café Bar - Fallowfield
A café-bar based in Fallowfield, they wanted funding for a part-time
development worker, marketing materials and a five-month community
coffee morning project to help them engage and support the local
community while establishing their new café.