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This project successfully funded on 22nd January 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
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This project successfully funded on 22nd January 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Support the freelance creatives who made Manchester Pride 2025 unforgettable but were left unpaid.
APPLICATIONS FOR HARDSHIP GRANTS ARE NOW OPEN
(Monday 26 January to Sunday 8 February at 23:59)
Head to the link below for eligibility criteria and application form:
https://forms.gle/mctRDSUuvMJA8tLd6
Manchester Pride 2025 was a celebration of LGBTQ+ creative expression, protest, and love — but behind every magic moment were hundreds of creative freelancers who made it happen.
Now, those same creatives are facing real hardship.
With the sudden closure of Manchester Pride, over £1.3 million is reportedly owed to freelancers and suppliers, less than a quarter of that figure reportedly remains in Manchester Pride Events Limited's accounts. Large debts owed to big suppliers will be prioritised meaning many independent artists, producers, and performers could wait months — or even years — to be paid a fraction of what they're owed.
Some may never see a penny.
And some, having already paid others out of pocket, are staring down the barrel of company closure.
As the city moves to rebuild Pride for 2026 we'll work with unions and other local partners to ensure independent freelance creatives get fair and transparent support. But we can't wait for (or rely on) long liquidation processes. The creatives who made Pride 2025 need financial support now.
We’re calling on businesses, allies, and individuals alike: step up, give what you can, and stand with the independent freelance creatives who made Manchester Pride 2025 unforgettable.
✨ Support the creatives who made Manchester Pride 2025 – donate now.
#StandWithPrideFreelancers
The Manchester Pride 2025: Together for Creatives Fund is led by creative freelancers impacted by Manchester Pride’s closure including: Adam Carver (Fatt Butcher), Jonathan Banks (Banksie), Lucky Roy Singh and Nathaniel J Hall.
Why This Matters
Pride isn’t just an event — it’s a creative movement powered by independent freelancers. When Manchester Pride closed, many were left unpaid and uncertain of the future. Some are now struggling to pay rent or keep their independent businesses open.
By donating, you’re helping to bridge the gap until formal claims are resolved — turning community care into real financial support. Every pound helps keep Pride’s creative spirit alive and ensures those who made 2025 unforgettable aren’t forgotten.
Distribution of Funds Raised
We want to acknowledge the vital contribution of all parties, including the contractors who provide the event infrastructure, technical and security services that make Pride possible.
However, there is a sliding scale of need and urgency. Funds raised will support independent creative freelancers facing financial hardship as a result of Manchester Pride’s closure, prioritising LGBTQ+ individuals first.
How we assess this is yet to be fully worked out.
In the first instance we are asking independent creative freelancers impacted by Manchester Pride's closure to fill out our survey.
Our definition of this includes:
If you’re not sure whether you fit the above description, we’d still like to hear from you to ensure we’re not missing anyone out of our considerations. As the picture develops, we will publish our eligibility criteria in full for the distribution of funds. Those applying for funds will be required to show proof of contract and credit owed.
Those eligible will receive a percentage of the final total in line with, and not exceeding, their unpaid fee. We aim to distribute money ahead of the winter holiday season.
In the event we have surplus funds remaining, we will consult with creative freelancers on where to invest it.
PLEASE NOTE: Filling in this form does not constitute automatic eligibility for any funds raised (although we hope we can help everyone who does so). The information you provide will help us understand the scope and scale of need so we can distribute funds raised as fairly as possible.
Financial Transparency
Funds raised will, in the first instance, be held by DIBBY THEATRE LTD. Dibby is a Salford-based LGBTQ+ Theatre Company of which Nathaniel J Hall is Company Director. The company is fully incorporated with a governance structure and no person of significant control.
We are seeking a larger organisation to hold the funds and will update this campaign accordingly should an agreement to transfer the funds be made.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made