The Matthew Nicholls Foundation (TMNF) has been a valued partner since 2022, enabling Olympias Music Foundation (OMF) to expand and invest in the services we provide and the communities we care for.
As the Foundation prepares to wrap up their operations on 2 April, OMF would like to express our deepest gratitude to TMNF, and celebrate the impact the Foundation has made on the musical futures of young people in Manchester. We are also excited and honoured to continue championing TMNF’s charitable objectives through a new legacy fund to celebrate Matthew Nicholls’ life, and his love for music. More information of which can be found on our Matt’s Legacy webpage.
Perfect harmony: OMF and the Matthew Nicholls Foundation
TMNF has been a major funder of OMF this year, enabling the creation of two new roles within the organisation and the addition of two much-needed members of the core team: Anna Kerr, Development Director, and Sarah Ampil, Programmes & Finance Administrator.
This generous support has allowed OMF to create a robust three-year strategy, ensuring the impact of our activities will resonate well into the future. The funding will also expand provision for Olympias Music Foundation’s Learn to Play project, increasing the number of children we will reach over the next 3 years by 34% - that’s a total of 250 children with financial or social barriers in Manchester who will receive weekly high-quality instrumental lessons by 2026.
Jo Yee Cheung, OMF’s Chief Executive, said: “The phenomenal support of the Matthew Nicholls Foundation and its supporters is a significant vote of confidence in the work we do to ensure that all children gain fair access to a high-quality music education – regardless of their income or life circumstances. It also echoes OMF’s belief that the long-term wellbeing of our staff is paramount to that of our young people and the communities we serve.
“This funding will leave a lasting legacy for OMF and the Matthew Nicholls Foundation; increasing OMF’s capacity as a team of four, helping us to improve sustainability, and to reach even more young people in Manchester. We are so proud to celebrate Matt’s life and love for music and the whole team is excited for the future.”
Rob Nicholls from TMNF added: “It’s been an honour to run The Matthew Nicholls Foundation in Matt’s memory over the past few years, but as we approach what would have been his 30th birthday, it felt like an appropriate time to 'pass the torch' onwards. "
“We searched far and wide for a fitting organisation to take on Matt’s legacy and we could not be more proud to have found The Olympias Music Foundation here on our doorstep in the North West. As a finale to our work, we have invested heavily in their tremendous community music project, based in Longsight, Manchester, and we are so pleased that our funding will ensure longevity for them. We also trust that the hard-working, dedicated team share Matt’s deep love for music and that they will channel that spirit into all the important work they do.”
Fond farewells and new beginnings
We are honoured that the Matthew Nicholls Foundation have entrusted OMF with carrying on through our activities; we are also immensely grateful to the Foundation’s supporters, who now join us on our journey to develop a brave new generation of diverse young musicians and audiences in Manchester.
As a celebration of all the wonderful work undertaken by The Matthew Nicholls Foundation, OMF are proud to introduce Matt’s Legacy fund – our way of welcoming MNF supporters to the Olympias family, and for OMF’s supporters to join us in celebrating Matt’s enduring impact on our community and the future of Manchester’s musical landscape.
You can donate at any time to Matt’s Legacy fund page here.