South Yorkshire Community Foundation Limited

Charity Number: 1140947

Annual Expenditure: £1.3M
Geographic Focus: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield City

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,315,398 (2024)
  • Success Rate: 76%
  • Decision Time: 6-8 weeks
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £15,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield

Contact Details

Website: www.sycf.org.uk

Phone: 0114 242 4857

Email: hello@sycf.org.uk / grants@sycf.org.uk

Address: The Campus, Pack Horse Lane, High Green, Sheffield, S35 3HY

Grants and Partnerships Manager: Jess O'Neill (joneill@sycf.org.uk)

Pre-application Support: South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau (SYFAB) provides free application support, training courses, and webinars to help groups maximize their funding opportunities.

Overview

Founded in 1986, South Yorkshire's Community Foundation (SYCF) is the region's largest local grant-giving charity, created for and by the people of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield. Since its establishment, SYCF has distributed almost £40 million to grassroots community groups. In 2024, the foundation awarded £1.3 million through 423 grants, supporting 96,608 individuals across South Yorkshire. Under outgoing CEO Ruth Willis (2013-2025), annual grant giving increased significantly from £400,000 to £1.7 million. Martin Singer joined as CEO in Spring 2025, bringing a commitment to build on this legacy of empowering communities. SYCF's mission is to support initiatives that promote economic, social, physical, and mental well-being, helping local people fulfill their potential. In 2023, the foundation achieved a 76% success rate for applications, marking a 21% increase in grant approval rates compared to 2022.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

SYCF Community Grants: £1,000 - £5,000 (rolling basis, online portal)

For community groups and organizations across South Yorkshire. Supports capital work (equipment, building works), revenue costs (room hire, volunteer expenses, sessional staff), and service provision (materials, specialist support). Especially designed for smaller, developing, or less well-resourced organizations where small grants can make a real difference. Funds allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

SYCF Small Grants Programme: Up to £1,000 (rolling basis, online portal)

For small, developing, and less well-resourced groups with annual income not exceeding £10,000. Majority are one-off payments to support grassroots community activities.

South Yorkshire Health and Growth Accelerator Community Grants: Up to £15,000 (fixed application windows)

One-off support for projects addressing physical and mental health and wellbeing across South Yorkshire.

The Connecting South Yorkshire Fund: Up to £3,000 (rolling basis)

Supports groups improving digital connectivity and helping individuals access services online. Covers public internet access, technology provision, and digital inclusion activities.

Sheffield Legacy Fund: Up to £1,000 (rolling basis)

For grassroots organizations within three miles of Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, addressing physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Tweenbridge Windfarm Community Benefits Fund: Up to £15,000

For groups within three miles of Tweenbridge Windfarm in Doncaster.

Blackstone Edge Windfarm Community Benefits Fund: Up to £5,000

For community groups in Barnsley near the Blackstone Edge Windfarm.

Priority Areas

  • Economic development and local employment
  • Social and community well-being
  • Physical and mental health
  • Youth services and activities
  • Digital inclusion and connectivity
  • Community safety and crime reduction
  • Addressing disadvantage and inequality
  • Supporting people through cost-of-living challenges

What They Don't Fund

  • Religious services or activities promoting a particular religion (though they will fund faith organizations delivering community benefit activities like food banks)
  • Community Interest Companies with paid directors
  • National charities without local management committees and local financial control
  • Activities solely benefiting people outside South Yorkshire
  • Food supplies (under specific programs like Sheffield Cost of Living Grants)
  • Projects lacking demonstrated community benefit
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Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees: Professor Chris Booth-Mayblin

Former Dean of Sheffield Business School and Pro Vice Chancellor at Sheffield Hallam University, current Chair of Sheffield Mencap and Gateway. Appointed as Chair in 2020, replacing James Newman OBE. Leads a 15-strong Board of Trustees.

Chief Executive: Martin Singer (appointed Spring 2025)

Martin Singer stated: "I am honoured to have been appointed as CEO of South Yorkshire's Community Foundation. SYCF's mission to support community groups throughout the region and help people facing hardship and disadvantage aligns with my own visions and values. Over almost 40 years, the foundation has created a remarkable legacy of empowering communities. I look forward to building on the successes achieved."

Former CEO: Ruth Willis (2013-2025)

Under Ruth's leadership, annual grant giving increased from £400,000 to £1.7 million. Ruth Willis reflected: "I've enjoyed a wonderful 12 years with the Community Foundation. It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside so many dedicated and talented colleagues."

The board includes professionals from diverse sectors including transport, business, education, and community development. Recent trustee appointments include David Price, founder and former managing director of Price Express Transport.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through SYCF's online portal at www.sycf.org.uk/apply. The foundation uses a Salesforce-based application system. Applicants can use the “grants wizard” to search for suitable funding opportunities based on their organization's needs and location.

Most programs operate on a rolling basis, with applications accepted year-round and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Some programs, like the South Yorkshire Health and Growth Accelerator Community Grants, have fixed application windows.

Before applying, organizations should:

  • Review specific eligibility criteria for each grant program
  • Read guidance notes carefully
  • Contact SYCF's grants team or SYFAB for pre-application support
  • Ensure all supporting documentation is prepared

Decision Timeline

Standard timeline: 6-8 weeks from receipt of complete application (all supporting documentation received)

Connecting South Yorkshire Fund: SYCF aims to respond within 6-8 weeks of receiving an eligible application.

SWEF grants: Initial review within 3 weeks, with decision communicated shortly after.

Health and Growth Accelerator: Applications reviewed over a three-week period with decisions communicated shortly after.

Notification is typically via email. Successful applicants receive grant agreements and payment details.

Success Rates

In 2023, SYCF achieved a 76% success rate for grant applications, marking a 21% increase in approval rates compared to 2022. The foundation awarded 410 grants in 2023, representing a 38% increase over the previous year (113 additional grants).

In 2024, the foundation approved 423 grants totaling £1,315,398, supporting 96,608 individuals across South Yorkshire. Regional distribution included:

  • Sheffield: 200 grants
  • Rotherham: 68 grants
  • Doncaster: 44 grants
  • Barnsley: 36 grants
  • UK-wide (individual funding): 75 grants

Reapplication Policy

While specific reapplication policies were not explicitly detailed in available sources, the foundation's high success rate (76%) and commitment to supporting grassroots organizations suggests an open approach to reapplications. Applicants are encouraged to contact the grants team to discuss unsuccessful applications and receive feedback for future submissions. The availability of SYFAB's free advisory services indicates the foundation's supportive stance toward helping groups improve applications and reapply.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from SYCF:

  • The foundation offers “Top 10 tips” for funding applications available through their website and SYFAB
  • “Read guidance notes before applying” - emphasized as critical first step
  • Contact the grants team for support throughout the application process
  • SYFAB offers training courses including “Making a good application” to improve fundraising skills

Recently Funded Projects:

Barnsley YMCA: Activities for children aged 5-8 to keep them entertained and engaged

Darfield Bowls Club: Venue renovation to ensure safe access for all players, including those with severe health diagnoses

Blackburn Club For Young People: Hired professionally trained paid staff to deliver projects keeping young people off the streets and away from anti-social behaviour

Disability Sheffield: Online creative writing workshop “The Magic Pen” for people with learning disabilities and autism, resulting in an anthology and spoken word evenings

Stephen Harrison Academy: £1,000 grant for new group for 18-25 year-olds with learning or physical disabilities using snooker coaching

Ummeed Group: Purchase of reading books, tutor costs, and room hire for sessions helping women break down barriers

Exodus: £1,500 for regular weekend family camps teaching family values and running family-oriented activities

Key Success Factors:

  • Demonstrate clear community benefit for South Yorkshire residents
  • Show how small amounts of funding will make a real difference
  • Prioritize projects addressing identified community priorities: crime and safety, disadvantage and inequality, work and local economy, mental health
  • Evidence local leadership and community involvement
  • For smaller organizations, emphasize grassroots nature and local impact
  • Prepare all supporting documentation before applying
  • Utilize free support services from SYFAB for application review and improvement

Language and Terminology:

SYCF emphasizes: “empowering communities,” “grassroots groups,” “transforming South Yorkshire,” “local people fulfilling their potential,” “community benefit,” and “helping people facing hardship and disadvantage”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Impressive success rate: With 76% of applications approved in 2023, SYCF is significantly more accessible than many funders—but act quickly as funds are first-come, first-served
  • Strong support infrastructure: Take advantage of free pre-application support from SYFAB, including training, webinars, and application reviews—using these services demonstrates commitment and improves application quality
  • Geographic specificity matters: Clearly demonstrate how your project benefits residents of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, or Sheffield with locally-led and locally-managed initiatives
  • Scale appropriately: SYCF specifically champions smaller, less well-resourced grassroots organizations—don't oversell your organization's capacity; instead, emphasize how modest funding creates disproportionate local impact
  • Align with current priorities: Projects addressing mental health, disadvantage and inequality, work and local economy, or crime and safety are strategically aligned with SYCF's research-identified community priorities
  • Move quickly on rolling programs: Most grant programs operate year-round on first-come, first-served basis—submit complete applications early in the year to maximize chances before funds are depleted
  • Build relationships early: Contact Jess O'Neill (Grants and Partnerships Manager) or the grants team before applying to discuss fit and receive guidance—SYCF emphasizes being “on hand throughout the application process”

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