York Community Fund
The York Community Fund is a new independent fund set up as a partnership between Two Ridings Community Foundation, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, City of York Council, York CVS and York Together.
We have created this fund to actively improve the wellbeing for the people who live, work and study in York, support purposeful community action and create a sense of belonging.
The guidelines for this fund were created by the York community through a participatory decision-making process. A participatory approach ensures decisions can be made collectively. It involves people with lived experience as well as practiced and professional experience. Decisions on which applications will be funded will also be made by this community panel.
Fund priorities
Organisations should clearly demonstrate how they are addressing local need in at least one of the following priorities. This can either be through funding your core costs (e.g. a wellbeing support organisation paying for their overheads) or through providing activity, projects or support.
Affordability and cost of living
For example:
- Organisations being able to keep the lights on / doors open
- Taking action to tackle the cost-of-living crisis
- Reducing food and / fuel poverty
- Personal budget management
Climate action
For example:
- Taking action to support environmental improvements
- Increasing walking and cycling for climate and health
Equalities and Human Rights
For example:
- Providing culturally appropriate activities & opportunities that promote equity, diversity and inclusion, health and wellbeing
- Neurodiversity inclusion
- Providing advocacy and support for people experiencing disadvantage or discrimination
Health and wellbeing
For example:
- Creating a joined up, holistic approach to health and wellbeing
- Counselling, mentoring, befriending and advocacy
- Parenting support e.g. new parents, parenting skills
- Providing opportunities for social interaction, confidence building and/or skills development
Size of grants
You can apply for up to £5,000. This can be for core costs, activity costs, or a mixture of both. We can also accept applications for multi-year grants with a maximum total grant request of £5,000.
We have a total funding pot of £150,000 for this first year.
Who can apply?
York Community Fund grants are targeted at organisations with a turnover under £500K with charitable aims where a small amount of money can make a significant difference. You can apply if you are based in or serving the residents of the City of York.
In the event of this fund receiving more applications than we have monies to support, the decision-making panel may prioritise organisations / groups with:
- a turnover below £250K
- low reserves (under 6 months)
- ongoing projects that demonstrate deep community impact with a good track record
How to apply?
Before applying, please read the York Community Fund Guidance Notes for this grant scheme carefully.
Then click on the button below to start your application.
Next, at the end of the application form we ask you to accept the terms and conditions of holding a grant. This is so that if you are successful, we can make payment more quickly.
Lastly, your application is only complete when we have received all your supporting documents. You can attach your documents to the online application, or email to [email protected]
Posting documents
Please note: If you are sending your supporting documents in the post, please can we ask that they are NOT stapled. Thank you so much!
When to apply?
Look out for us reopening next year.
Apply