Hey Smile Foundation

Charity Number: 1125856

Annual Expenditure: £2.2M
Throughout England And Wales

Contact Info

Website: www.heysmilefoundation.org

Phone: 01482 590270

Email: hello@heysmilefoundation.org

Be the first to know about new funding opportunities

Get notified when we add new funders to the directory

Quick Stats

  • Founded: 2007 (incorporated 17 December 2007)
  • Charity Number: 1125856
  • Grant Range: £500 - £15,000
  • Geographic Focus: Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire (specific programs may extend to North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire)
  • Application Method: Rolling via Beecan platform
  • Decision Time: Not publicly specified

Contact Details

Website: www.heysmilefoundation.org

Email: hello@heysmilefoundation.org

Phone: 01482 590270

Community Development Team: community@heysmilefoundation.org

Pre-application Support: All potential applicants are encouraged to speak to the Community Development Team before applying. The team offers FREE 1:1 support on matters including finding suitable grants, writing applications, and managing charitable group finances.

Overview

Founded in 2007 by Jim Dick and incorporated on 17 December 2007, HEY Smile Foundation is a Yorkshire-based infrastructure charity that has been driving transformational change for over 16 years. Their mission is to equip local charities, volunteer organisations and community groups with the tools and confidence to face the future stronger and more resilient - described in their tagline as “Bringing Good Intentions to Life.”

The foundation operates a mixed model combining grant-making and community investment with extensive community development support. They lead the way on community voice and insight, health development, digital services, and making resources go further across Hull and East Yorkshire. The organization draws unique strengths from their infrastructure role, providing not just funding but comprehensive support services to the VCSE (Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise) sector. Their strategic plan for 2023-2027 aims to increase impact through sustainable growth, leveraging influence, and maximising their assets.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Health in Our Community Grants

  • Amount: £500 - £2,000
  • Application Method: Rolling basis via Beecan platform (www.beecan.org)
  • Eligibility: Community organisations based in Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire

KCOM Digital Inclusion Grants

  • Amount: Up to £15,000 per project
  • Application Method: Fixed deadline (closing 30 September 2025)
  • Eligibility: Projects serving residents in Hull, East Riding, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire
  • Focus: Community-led ideas that address digital inclusion across the Humber
  • Note: HEY Smile Foundation partners with KCOM to deliver this program

Priority Areas

The foundation's funding priorities focus on:

  1. Reducing health inequalities - Supporting projects that address health disparities in communities
  2. Self-management of care - Helping people be in control of their health and enabling them to support their own health needs
  3. Volunteer opportunities - Providing volunteer opportunities with appropriate guidance and training that improve health and wellbeing of both volunteers and those they support
  4. Digital inclusion - Addressing digital barriers and exclusion across the Humber region
  5. Community voice and insight - Building stronger foundations for small charitable organisations
  6. Sustainable VCSE sector development - Supporting emerging and existing groups to become more sustainable

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions are listed in their public guidance. However, applicants must be registered charitable organisations, not-for-profit companies, or voluntary and community groups. The foundation encourages potential applicants to contact them directly to discuss eligibility and program requirements before applying.

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Chief Executive Officer: Jamie Lewis (appointed November 2022)

Jamie Lewis succeeded founding CEO Andy Barber, who led the organization from its inception in 2008 until 2022. According to Chair Trish Dalby, Barber “nurtured and developed Smile not only as an organization but also its ethos and spirit, and grew Smile by inspiring and empowering the team and leading by example in his commitment and hard work.”

Board of Trustees

Chair: Patricia Mary Dalby (appointed 2020)

Trustees:

  • Timothy John Wigglesworth (appointed 2020)
  • Catherine Sykes (appointed 2023)
  • Dr Andrew Milner
  • Kay Lorraine Durrant (appointed 2025)
  • Kenneth Ross (appointed 2023)

Founder: Jim Dick brought together the board of trustees and established the organization in 2007.

According to the foundation, "one of the HEY Smile Foundation's key strengths is our excellent board of trustees, brought together by our founder, Jim Dick. With a range of public and private sector leaders, the Smile team is able to count on our trustees' years of experience to benefit our delivery."

Organizational Philosophy

The foundation's approach is characterized by “positive energy [which] is the glue that binds us, and the fuel that drives us” and they do “everything with infectious enthusiasm, professionalism and passion.” Their “approachability and proactive attitude, combined with in-depth knowledge” makes them the "'go-to' destination for charity advice and support in Hull and East Yorkshire."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All applications are made through the Beecan funding platform (www.beecan.org):

  • Go to www.beecan.org
  • Click on 'Register/Login'
  • Click 'Sign Up' and enter your details
  • Agree to T&Cs and Privacy Policy
  • Click 'Create a New Organisation'
  • Confirm your role and add organisation details
  • Submit the form and click 'Return to Beecan'
  • The Smile Community Development Team will review your request to join Beecan
  • Upload governing documents and annual accounts via the 'Manage My Organisation' section
  • Go to 'Find Funding Opportunities'
  • Click on the relevant program
  • Complete and submit your application with a detailed project outline and accurate budget

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly stated. Applications may be made at any time for rolling programs like the Health in Our Community Grants, though specific programs (like KCOM Digital Inclusion) have fixed deadlines. For the KCOM Digital Inclusion Grants, winners are announced at the end of October following the September 30th closing date.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available. Applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation directly for guidance on their application's competitiveness.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is stated in public guidance. Applicants should contact the Community Development Team to discuss reapplication if unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Advice

Pre-application engagement is strongly encouraged: “All potential applicants are encouraged to speak to the Hive team at HEY Smile Foundation before applying.” Contact community@heysmilefoundation.org or call 01482 590270.

Access comprehensive support: The foundation offers FREE 1:1 practical support and advice on:

  • Managing a charitable group (whether setting up or existing)
  • Finding suitable grants
  • Writing grant applications
  • Managing finances

Organizational Alignment

Successful applicants should demonstrate:

  1. Clear community benefit - Projects that directly address health inequalities, digital inclusion, or community capacity building
  2. Geographic relevance - Strong connection to Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire (or the Humber region for specific programs)
  3. Sustainability thinking - Evidence of how the project will create lasting impact
  4. Volunteer engagement - Where relevant, demonstration of how volunteers will be supported with appropriate guidance and training
  5. Organizational readiness - Proper governance documents and accounts in place
  6. Accurate budgeting - Detailed and realistic financial planning

Example of Funded Work

Mysterious Minds - Memory Boxes Project: In December 2024, HEY Smile Foundation's Christmas Appeal raised £7,200 for Mysterious Minds, a charity supporting children bereaved by suicide. The funding enabled creation of 60 memory boxes for children who have lost a loved one to suicide, demonstrating the foundation's commitment to supporting mental health and bereavement services in the community.

Language and Values

The foundation values:

  • Collaboration and partnership - Working together to achieve greater impact
  • Positive energy - Infectious enthusiasm and passion
  • Professionalism - High standards combined with approachability
  • Empowerment - Building confidence and capacity in organizations
  • Community voice - Ensuring local voices are heard and acted upon

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Always engage before applying - The foundation strongly encourages pre-application contact. Take advantage of their free 1:1 support service to refine your application and ensure alignment with program goals.
  1. Use the Beecan platform effectively - Familiarize yourself with the platform and ensure all organizational documentation is up to date before beginning an application.
  1. Demonstrate community connection - Show deep understanding of local needs in Hull and East Yorkshire and how your project addresses them.
  1. Think beyond the grant - HEY Smile Foundation offers infrastructure support beyond funding. Consider how you might benefit from their broader capacity-building services.
  1. Align with health and wellbeing priorities - Projects addressing health inequalities, self-management of care, or volunteer-led health initiatives are strongly aligned with current funding streams.
  1. Be ready to discuss digital inclusion - With the KCOM Digital Inclusion Grants program, there are significant opportunities for projects addressing digital barriers.
  1. Build relationships - The foundation values long-term relationships with the VCSE sector. Position your application as the beginning of an ongoing partnership rather than a one-off transaction.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

  • Peter Harrison Foundation
  • Margaret Westwood Memorial Charity
  • The Canbrick Charitable Trust
  • The Dmf Ellis Charitable Trust
  • The Clover Trust
  • Louis Nicholas Residuary Charitable Trust
  • The Hampstead Wells And Campden Trust
  • The Hull And East Riding Charitable Trust
  • The Smile Foundation
  • Sandra Charitable Trust

References

  1. HEY Smile Foundation official website: https://heysmilefoundation.org/
  2. HEY Smile Foundation Funding page: https://heysmilefoundation.org/funding-2/
  3. UK Charity Commission Register - HEY SMILE FOUNDATION (Charity Number 1125856): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1125856
  4. 360Giving GrantNav - HEY SMILE FOUNDATION: https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-1125856
  5. Neighbourhood Network Hull - Health in Our Community Grants: https://www.nnetwork.org.uk/funding/hey-smile-foundation-health-in-our-community-grants/
  6. VCSE East Riding - HEY Smile Foundation Help and Support: https://vcse.uk/help-and-support/hey-smile-foundation
  7. Beecan Funding Platform: https://app.beecan.org
  8. HEY Smile Foundation announces new CEO: https://heysmilefoundation.org/2022/11/15/hey-smile-foundation-announces-new-ceo/
  9. Companies House - HEY SMILE FOUNDATION: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06455490
  10. HEY Smile Foundation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hey-smile-foundation
  11. KCOM Discover - HEY Smile Foundation: The charity that supports charities: https://www.kcom.com/home/discover/categories/kcom-news/hey-smile-foundation-the-charity-that-supports-charities/
  12. HEY Smile Foundation - Smile Chances Appeal for Mysterious Minds: https://heysmilefoundation.org/2025/02/05/smile-chances-appeal-raises-7200-for-mysterious-minds/