New Marg McGee Community Partnerships open for applications alongside the year-round Marg McGee Small Grants Programme - as the fund enters its 19th year having awarded more than £200,000 to over 200 Manx community groups since 2008.
Manx Telecom is inviting Isle of Man charities to apply for two new £10,000 Marg McGee Community Partnerships, launched today as part of an enhanced Marg McGee Community Fund that doubles the company’s annual community investment to £40,000.
The fund is one of the longest-running community programmes on the Island. Launched in 2008 as the It’s Our Community Awards, it was renamed in 2024 in honour of former Manx Telecom employee Marg McGee, whose dedication to community spirit left a lasting legacy, with the annual fund doubled to £20,000 at the same time. Today’s second doubling takes the fund to £40,000, its largest ever, capping nearly two decades of continuous, growing investment in Island life.
Since its inception, the programme has awarded more than £200,000 to over 200 community groups across the Island - from sports clubs and youth organisations to charities, heritage groups and village associations in every corner of the Isle of Man. With this year’s enhanced fund, Manx Telecom’s total investment through the programme will reach almost a quarter of a million pounds.
The £40,000 fund is additional to Manx Telecom’s existing community sponsorships and partnerships, including support for the Manx Wildlife Trust, the Royal Manx Agricultural Show and the Parish Walk.
Under the enhanced structure, the annual funding is divided across two programmes:
- Marg McGee Community Partnerships — £20,000
- Marg McGee Small Grants Programme — £20,000
Through the new Marg McGee Community Partnerships, two Isle of Man charities will each receive £10,000 and work with Manx Telecom as strategic partners throughout the year, going beyond funding to include meaningful collaboration, profile and support. Applications are open to registered Isle of Man charities whose work falls within one or more of four key focus areas:
- Culture
- Environment
- Wellbeing
- Digital Inclusion
Applications for the Marg McGee Community Partnerships are open now. The two successful partners will be announced in late 2026, following judging in November, and will receive their funding for the year commencing 2027.
The Marg McGee Small Grants Programme is open for applications all year round, with two judging rounds each year. The deadline for the May judging round is 30 April; the deadline for the November judging round is 31 October. Applications will be reviewed by Manx Telecom senior leadership alongside guest MHK judges, keeping funding within reach of the Island’s smallest volunteer-run groups.
Gary Lamb, Chief Executive Officer at Manx Telecom, said: “The Marg McGee Community Fund has always been about supporting the people and organisations who make a real difference across our Island communities. By enhancing the fund and introducing a stronger partnership approach, we can provide even greater support to local initiatives while building meaningful, long-term relationships with charities and community groups that are creating positive impact across the Isle of Man.”
Past recipients reflect the full breadth of Island life. Isle Stand Up to Suicide used its award to fund a suicide prevention course delivered directly to sports clubs across the Island. The Sleeping Angel Woods, a memorial woodland for bereaved families, was supported to replace plaques, improve pathways and plant new saplings. Motiv8 Addiction Services received funding for one-to-one sessions for young people aged 11–18 affected by parental substance abuse, including a cooked meal at every session. Manx Eating Disorders Support used its grant to expand one-to-one support sessions and community outreach. And the Isle of Man Imagination Library received support to extend its free book programme to more children across the Island. From mental health and bereavement to heritage, disability services and grassroots sport, the programme has touched almost every corner of Island life.
Barry Dulson, Secretary and Pool Coordinator, of Pisces Swimming Club, said: “The award from Manx Telecom has made a fantastic difference - not only to our club but to all users of the Glencrutchery Swimming Pool. We used the funding to purchase wheeled shower chairs, giving wheelchair users the ability to shower in comfort and dignity before and after sessions. The chairs came in slightly under budget thanks to Kissack Care, so we were also able to buy additional floatation aids and recreational equipment for the pool. In the age of rising overheads, every penny counts for smaller clubs. The Marg McGee scheme gave us a massive boost and helped us keep our membership costs down. Thank you to Manx Telecom, and to the memory of Marg, who was so passionate about helping the smaller clubs in our community.”
As part of the enhanced programme, Manx Telecom will continue its annual Marg McGee Community Fund Awards Evening, celebrating successful projects and showcasing the positive impact being delivered across the Island.
Applications can be submitted via our website www.manxtelecom.com/mmca
