The Education Alliance for Life Chances (EALC), in partnership with the VCS Alliance (VCSA), is delighted to announce the successful organisations awarded funding through a series of community-led Pitch & Pick events held in Manningham & Girlington, Holmewood, and Keighley.

The awards were delivered through a Participatory Grant Making (PGM) model, where organisations pitched their ideas in an open, community-facing setting alongside fellow applicants. This collaborative and transparent approach ensures that local perspectives are represented and that funding aligns with the priorities of the communities involved.

Funding for these awards was secured by the Education Alliance for Life Chances, who asked the VCS Alliance to design and deliver bespoke PGM processes specifically tailored to the three wards. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening local communities and improving life outcomes for residents.

The VCS Alliance works closely with partners across the district to influence and transform health and social care, ensuring that community voices help shape a stronger local system.

Highlighting the work of the Education Alliance for Life Chances

The EALC plays a crucial role in expanding opportunities for children, young people and families across Bradford, working to remove barriers, strengthen inclusion, and support educational and developmental pathways. By securing targeted investment and championing community-led decision making, the EALC aims to create environments where every child and young person can thrive, regardless of background or postcode.

These Pitch & Pick awards form part of that wider mission — ensuring resources reach grassroots organisations who understand their communities best and who can deliver meaningful, immediate impact.

Local Priorities

Each organisation received £5,000 to develop activities that support residents in response to locally identified priorities. These priorities are:

Keighley – Tackling food insecurity, poor diet & nutrition

Holmewood – Supporting children & young people vulnerable to crime & anti-social behaviour

Manningham & Girlington – Supporting women & girls’ mental health

Pitch & Pick Award Winners

David Holt, Grants Manager at the VCS Alliance, said: “PGM empowers communities to choose the ideas that matter most to them. We are proud to work alongside the Education Alliance for Life Chances to deliver a fair, inclusive and community-driven process that supports local organisations and ultimately communities across Bradford.”

Kathryn Loftus, Director of the Education Alliance for Life Chances, added: “These Pitch & Pick awards show the power of communities leading the way. By placing decision making directly in the hands of local people, we ensure funding reaches the organisations who know their neighbourhoods best and can deliver real impact. It’s inspiring to see such creativity and commitment across Bradford, and we’re proud to stand alongside communities in shaping opportunities for children, young people and families.”