At Future of Greater Manchester, we believe the best ideas come to life when diverse voices and sectors come together.
To that end and inspired by co-founder Eamonn Boylan, we provide up to 5 bursaries each year, part-funded by core and one-time sponsors. The bursaries are for rising leaders from hard-hit councils and the not-for-profit sector, and the goal is to help all of them access our programmes, develop their leadership and networks, and amplify their impact across GM.
To find out about applying for a bursary, contact Collette Hayton. If you’re interested in investing some of your social value commitment in a stronger GM talent pool, please contact Lisa Taylor.
This guest post on recent not-for-profit bursary recipients is by Alex Atkinson, Senior Director at Identity Consult, Future of GM Leaders mentor and Diverse Voices participant. She reflects on a panel discussion hosted by Tash Bernard (Salford Council), featuring Jo Moon (Barnardo’s), Sam Hayes (PLACED) and Kate Harding (GM Moving), exploring the vital role of the sector in shaping our city-region.
Why not-for-profit leaders are essential to place-shaping in Greater Manchester
Listening to the inspiring panel discussion on ‘Why not-for-profit leaders are essential to place-shaping in Greater Manchester’ at Future of GM’s July 1 celebration reinforced something I’ve believed for a long time: successful places are never shaped by one sector alone. While conversations about growth often focus on investment, infrastructure and business, what is increasingly clear is that the future of Greater Manchester depends just as much on the leadership found within its not-for-profit sector.
Greater Manchester has become recognised nationally for its approach to place-shaping, and it’s encouraging to see that model influencing thinking elsewhere. But what makes our approach distinctive isn’t simply structures or governance. It’s the recognition that thriving places are built around people, and that different sectors each bring something essential to the table. Economic growth matters, but so do belonging, opportunity, trust and the ability for communities to influence the decisions that affect their lives.
Not-for-profit leaders make a unique contribution
These groups and organisations are deeply embedded within the communities they serve. They understand local challenges not because they’ve read about them, but because they see them every day. They’re listening, supporting and building relationships with people whose voices can too often be overlooked.
One of the strongest themes from the panel was the importance of lived experience. Not-for-profit leaders don’t simply represent communities; many have lived with the challenges they’re working to address. That experience brings credibility, empathy and authenticity, helping organisations design services that genuinely reflect local need rather than assumed need.
Another strong, and perhaps the most important, theme was that these groups have a really important role in ensuring that the voices of marginalised communities are genuinely heard. Too often, barriers to engagement are assumed rather than understood. Not-for-profit organisations spend time building trust, understanding the real obstacles people face and creating opportunities for meaningful participation. They don’t simply invite communities into conversations; they help shape conversations around communities.
What also struck me were the real-life examples where each had used their ability to translate complexity into something meaningful. Whether navigating policy changes, funding challenges or new initiatives, all have bridged the gap between strategy and reality, ensuring conversations resonate with the people they’re designed to benefit. They’re also well placed to spread learning across GM, carrying knowledge and ideas between places while recognising that every community has its own identity and priorities.
Nimble in the face of challenge
For me, one of the most thought-provoking observations of the discussion reflected on the sector’s remarkable ability to innovate and pivot in response to changing circumstances. Faced with increasing demand, constrained resources and evolving social challenges, not-for-profit organisations have learned to respond quickly, creatively and collaboratively. That adaptability has become one of the sector’s greatest strengths.
The discussion also made me reflect on the type of leadership required within not-for-profit organisations. It isn’t leadership driven by hierarchy or personal recognition. More often, it’s rooted in purpose, partnership and long-term impact. It’s about building something that lasts beyond individuals rather than building personal profiles, leadership defined by longevity rather than ego. That mindset matters because the challenges facing Greater Manchester are increasingly interconnected. Health inequalities, economic inclusion, skills, housing and social isolation don’t exist in isolation, and neither do the solutions. Effective place-shaping relies on collaboration.
Valuable partners for any programme
The panel highlighted how not-for-profit leaders bring organisations together, create space for honest conversations and ask the difficult questions that others may avoid. This is not about taking control of every part of the place-shaping agenda; it is about providing the challenge, insight and connective leadership that helps the wider system work more effectively.
Reflecting afterwards, I kept returning to a simple conclusion. If Greater Manchester wants to continue leading the way in place-based working, we must continue recognising not-for-profit leaders as equal partners alongside colleagues in the public and private sectors. Their contribution extends far beyond delivering services. They build trust, amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard, challenge assumptions, foster collaboration and strengthen community resilience. In doing so, they help the whole system make better choices.
Ultimately, successful place-shaping is about creating places where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. The panel reminded me that not-for-profit leaders bring together compassion, pragmatism and innovation in a way that is essential to achieving that ambition. If Greater Manchester is to continue building a future that works for everyone, their leadership won’t simply be important to the conversation; it will be central to it.
Non-profit bursary recipients to date: Barnardo’s, Community-Led Initiatives, GM Moving, Groundwork GM, Manchester Central, PLACED and The Proud Trust. Project partners and hosts to date: Contact Theatre, Manchester Museum and Northern Roots. Heartfelt thanks to Hatch, whose Manchester office backed our bursary programme as a core sponsor from 2020 to 2025.
To find out about applying for a bursary, contact Collette Hayton. If you’re interested in investing some of your social value commitment in a stronger GM talent pool, please contact Lisa Taylor.