University of York Students' Union

Registered charity 1173404 · since 2017yorksu.org·York·Updated 30 October 2026

At a glance

2 weeks

Typical decision time

Invitation only

Unsolicited applications are not accepted

This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. Don't spend time on an approach; the similar funders below support the same kind of work.

Key takeaways

Its stated priority is York, and the Sustainable Development Grant is open only to University of York staff or students, as individuals or groups, so a small nonprofit with no York link is unlikely to fit.
The stated amounts are up to £100 for the Activities Access Grant and from £50 for the Sustainable Development Grant, with no typical band or annual total given, so size any request to the project's costs and its stated impact.
The charity says it does not accept unsolicited requests and works by invitation only, so check that route before writing a full proposal; decisions take about two weeks.
Projects must align with at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Sustainable Development Grant does not fund travel, staffing or refreshments (unless approved), and the Activities Access Grant excludes gym memberships and university activities such as music tuition or languages for all.
Activities Access rounds open in October and March, and successful groups meet the Sustainability Coordinator to agree a Project Impact Agreement.

Overview

University of York Students' Union is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1173404).

The University of York Students' Union seeks to enhance the student experience by providing representation, welfare services, social space and opportunities for student development within the Union and the wider community. Its Sustainable Development Grant was established with funds from the Latte Levy and supports staff and student-led projects that address sustainable development goals. Its Activities Access Grant helps students get involved in activities outside their course without worrying about the financial impact, reimbursing up to £100 for joining student groups. The Sustainable Development Grant funds projects over £50 in value, and there is no fixed upper limit to grant requests.

What they fund

Priority Areas

The Union's Sustainable Development Grant funds projects aimed at improving sustainability at York and helping it deliver on its climate and ecological commitments. Projects must align with at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and University staff or students may apply individually or as a group, including staff–student partnerships. Significant requests must demonstrate significant and sustained impact in proportion to the funds sought. The Activities Access Grant reimburses eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students for joining York SU student-led activities, including group fees, equipment, transport and trip costs. It is intended to help students participate without worrying about the financial impact.

Themes

Sustainability
Student activities

Geographic Focus

Priority: York.

What they don't fund

Activities Access Grant only: gym memberships; university activities such as music tuition or languages for all
Sustainable Development Grant only:
- Travel costs
- Staffing costs including salaries, wages or other staffing costs
- Refreshments at events unless explicitly approved as an integral and essential component directly contributing to a Sustainable Development Goal outcome
- Social events where the primary theme and focus of the event does not directly address a Sustainable Development Goal

How to apply

Groups can apply to the Sustainable Development Grant using its application form; the Application Support Pack and proposal webinar provide guidance on preparing an application.

Application windows:

Activities Access Grant
- Round one opens in October.
- Round two opens in March and closes when the funding pot runs out.

Who can apply:

Sustainable Development Grant: You can apply as either a University of York staff member or student, and either as an individual or group (including partnerships between staff and students).

What to send:

Activities Access Grant
- Eligibility proof and copies of participation cost receipts must accompany the application.
- A copy of your maintenance loan confirmation, stating £7,614 or more.
- A copy of your ‘Welsh Government Learning Grant’ award.
- For paid Postgraduate / PHD students, any evidence which confirms your annual income is below the threshold.
- Approval letter for a Disabled Students’ Allowance.
- Approval letter from Student Finance confirming status as a Care Leaver or Independent Student (Estranged).
- Confirmation of enrollment on, or a statement confirming transfer of funds related to, a bursary or widening participation programme.

Applying again: Activities Access Grant: You can apply as many times as you like within the two rounds, for example if you join another group after your initial application. However, reimbursements for each individual will not exceed a total of £100 across all applications throughout the full academic year.

Application success factors

What the charity says:

Projects should align with one or more of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Significant funding requests should demonstrate significant and sustained impact in proportion to the scale of funds requested.
Successful groups meet the SU Sustainability Coordinator to agree a Project Impact Agreement, a mid-project check-up and an end-of-project date.

Where they fund

Where it says it funds

York

Similar funders

Funders supporting work similar to University of York Students' Union.

University of Southampton Students’ UnionInvitation onlyGave £389k York Civic TrustFixed deadlinesGave £15,940 The Sylvia & Colin Shepherd Charitable TrustRollingGave £548k Patricia, Donald, Christine & Patrick Shepherd FoundationNo public process The British Mass Spectrometry SocietyInvitation onlyGave £32,350 The Ken & Lynne Morrison Charitable TrustRollingGave £634k The Micklegate Ecclesiastical TrustRollingGave £179k The Shears FoundationFixed deadlinesGave £872k The Feoffees of St Michael's SpurriergateFixed deadlinesGave £79,870 Trust Property Administered in Connection with the Company of the Merchant Adventurers of the City of YorkNo public processGave £1,000

Five years of accounts

Financial year	Income	Expenditure	Grants paid	Accounts document
year to 31 July 2021	£4,181,483	£3,833,284	—	Accounts for year to 31 July 2021
year to 31 July 2022	£5,767,987	£5,626,665	—	Accounts for year to 31 July 2022
year to 31 July 2023	£5,770,802	£5,932,697	—	Accounts for year to 31 July 2023
year to 31 July 2024	£5,726,906	£5,607,017	—	Accounts for year to 31 July 2024
year to 31 July 2025	£6,927,849	£6,382,810	—	Accounts for year to 31 July 2025

— No grants figure for those years.

Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.