York Community Fund
The York Community Fund is a new independent fund, administered by Two Ridings. It has been created for the people who live, work and study in York, to support vibrant and purposeful community action that actively improves the wellbeing of everyone in the city. It also provides a point whereby donors can collectively contribute into a fund specifically for York people and communities.
The Fund builds on and strengthens the energy, impact and potential of York’s voluntary and community groups, and their vital contributions to life in the city, especially for those who experience greatest disadvantage.
The York Community Fund addresses the needs of local people in the city in relation to:
- Equalities and Human Rights - providing equality of opportunity
- Affordability - taking action to tackle the cost-of-living crisis
- Climate - taking action to enhance the environment and respond to the climate emergency
- Health – reducing health inequalities
Why York?
York is an incredible city, with great strengths and opportunities, but not everyone’s experience of York is equal.
- The life expectancy of people in the poorest areas of York is up to 11 years less than people in the wealthiest areas
- In some areas, one in three children live in poverty
Who is involved
The York Community Fund is a partnership between City of York Council and Two Ridings Community Foundation. A steering group will be formed comprising key organisations in the city that support community and voluntary action.
At the core of the York Community Fund will be a partnership model and a commitment to community participation, ensuring that charitable funds are channelled effectively and transparently to where they can make the most difference.
Where the funding will come from
The Fund is to provide tax-efficient local giving, with a variety of innovative charitable solutions so that individuals, businesses, foundations and public sector organisations can make a positive difference in York’s community efficiently and with real impact.
York Hungry Minds Appeal
The York Community Fund’s first fundraising appeal is York Hungry Minds. This is a city-wide campaign to raise funding to provide universal free school meals for all children in York’s Primary Schools. To find out more and donate to the York Hungry Minds appeal, click here.
Size of grants
The size of grants available will be published here in due course.
Who can apply?
The fund aims to grow local giving and provide a sustainable source of funding. So the fund will target small organisations with charitable aims where a small amount of money can make a significant difference. Your organisation must also be based in and/or working in the area served by City of York Council.
What sort of groups can apply?
- small voluntary and community groups
- small charities
- other types of not-for-profit organisations (provided that they can clearly demonstrate that the purpose of the organisation is wholly charitable).
How to apply?
Once the fund is active, there will be a button below that you click on to start your application.
When to apply?
The Fund will be open for applications in early 2024. Details of the types of grants available, and the application process, will be published here in due course.