The impact of your giving 2024
£2.2 million
fund distributed
477
grants awarded
£4,800
average grant made
58%
applicant success rate
Transforming local people's lives through generous giving
Across North and East Yorkshire, local giving is enabling powerful community action that changes people’s lives.
Thanks to generous support from people, businesses, councils and other funders, this year Two Ridings Community Foundation has distributed £2.2 million, supporting 477 community organisations throughout our region.
In difficult times, these organisations have dug deep to tackle some of the most pressing challenges people face today: the cost of living crisis, poverty, loneliness and mental ill-health.
Our funding enables community organisations to offer support. But it’s not just support – the activities, training and advice they provide bring opportunities, purpose, connection, and hope.
They make people’s lives worth living again.
More than ever before, local grassroots organisations are crucial to the fabric of our communities. They become a go-to place, a second home, a second family. Two Ridings is proud to make this possible.
“Across our region, small grants to extraordinary people enable magic to happen. We are proud to work with our donors and supporters to channel funds directly to the grassroots organisations whoare changing people’s lives every day.” Celia, CEO
Supporting Communities all over Yorkshire
We know that people’s experience of the places where they live is fundamental to their wellbeing.
That is why we support locally led work all over the region. Opportunities and activities that are shaped by phenomenal people who understand what is missing, and are passionate about making it possible.
Leaving no one behind
Our funding reaches people from all walks of life across Yorkshire, including children and young people, families up against poverty, people experiencing mental and physical health challenges, global majority groups, the LGBTQ+ community and older people.
We take particular care to ensure our funds support organisations working with those people and communities who experience the greatest disadvantage. We do not leave anyone behind.
What our funding supports
103
NO POVERTY GRANTS | £537k distributed
143
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES GRANTS | £825k distributed
77
REDUCING INEQUALITIES GRANTS | £361k distributed
154
GOOD HEALTH & WELLBEING GRANTS | £568k distributed
How funding impacts different communities
Sharing moments for a meaningful life
Imagine a place where friendships are formed over tea and cake, stories are generously shared, laughter fills every space and where everyone who walks through the door is welcomed. This is the space that the Scarborough Over 50s Friendship Centre has created, somewhere that supports local older people who might otherwise feel alone and isolated.
One of the standout events this year was a coach trip to the Yorkshire Dales, an outing that has become a cherished memory for the 65 members who went along. Highlights included an Ice Cream Factory visit, afternoon tea with wonderful scenic views, and learning all about cheese-making at Wensleydale Creamery.
But the trip was not just a jolly or an outing; it became a journey of healing and connection, reminding everyone that life’s best bits are often found in its shared moments.
Creating security and a new beginning that lasts
Ali*, an Afghan who fled persecution in his homeland in 2016, arrived in the UK after a dangerous six-year journey through four countries. After struggling with the asylum process, he was referred to Humber Community Advice Service (H-CAS), where he got support from people who spoke his language and understood his plight. H-CAS completed his asylum application, and Ali was eventually granted refugee status.
The successful asylum claim transformed Ali’s life. Now living in North Hull, Ali has a home, a bank account, and friends. His English has improved, and he volunteers at H-CAS, ensuring others don’t face the same loneliness and isolation he once did.
“Ali became a completely different person. He was so
excited and since then he has really blossomed.”
*Real name and photograph not used
Giving people the power
535
leaders supported
39
new leaders lives changed
96
local people on our panels
New Community Funds launched
Hull and York get their own funds
At Two Ridings, we know that people are passionate about the place where they live and that they want to support community action directly in their local town and neighbourhood.
That is why we launched both the Hull Community Fund and the York Community Fund this year.
Complementing the success of THE LOCAL FUND in Harrogate, the Scarborough North Yorkshire Coast Fund and Selby’s Heart of Yorkshire Fund, we now have five specific community funds that donors can invest in and community groups can apply for funding from.
Decision making for everyone
Putting people directly affected by issues at the centre of our grant making decisions shifts the power dynamics of funding. At Two Ridings we are passionate about this – trusting people to have their own solutions to community problems – and that is why we solely use participatory decision making in Scarborough and York.
“Young people in Scarborough have their say on what is funded in their local area. In York, a core team of people from all walks of life, are at the heart of decision making.” Thomas, Head of Grants
Developing leaders who transform the region
Our 500-strong leadership programme in Hull and East Yorkshire, HEY Confident Futures has gone from strength to strength. The network is a powerful tool for leadership development and is making impactful
progress in creating ‘connected, collaborative and generous’ leaders. The year-long New to Leadership element of the programme continues to be transformational.
“Ground breaking, impactful and immeasurable, you will be a changed person after doing the New To Leadership course and EVERYONE will notice.”
Connecting neighbourhoods in Hull
Bringing opportunity and purpose to local people
Now in its second year, the Know Your Neighbourhood fund has enabled community organisations in Hull to attract more volunteers and tackle the loneliness and isolation many people were feeling. That’s due to £1.3 million investment in the community sector connecting people and bringing purpose and hope to thousands.
Inspiring investment into Yorkshire
37
Endowment funds
70
Flow through revenue funds
5
Place based funds
Bettys & Taylors give over £1 million
Bettys & Taylors have given over £1 million through Two Ridings since 2018 via their Community and Family Funds.
This has made a huge impact on the local communities of their customers, employees and fans of the Yorkshire brew.
The Bettys & Taylors Group distribute small, but crucial grants to community organisations through their Fund. The family behind Bettys use Two Ridings to manage their multi-year grants programme, which funds crucial training and opportunities for young people in the hospitality and catering industry.
Cooking course leads young people to their first jobs
Supported by the Bettys Family Fund, Giroscope in Hull are currently six months into their cooking foundation course. Of the 16 people who started, 100% of them completed the course. On the 10-week intensive course, three people have moved into catering employment. They’ve also moved into larger premises, so they can accommodate more students on each course.
“We are now closer to local food establishments, and our students interact with the staff of these establishments daily, gaining knowledge and vital understanding of the hospitality industry. Two of our students have gained employment with those businesses and many are volunteering at the nearby pop-up restaurant, gaining knowledge and a vital understanding of the skills gained on the course.“
Children's lives improving throughout Yorkshire
When you set up a fund with Two Ridings, the real, deep outcomes of your giving take a little time to witness. Tim & Helen Williams, who set up a family fund with us in 2022 visited five of the organisations their fund had benefited over the last year.
“Helen and I are delighted with the impact that our donations to Two Ridings have made to a wide range of charities in the region. To have the opportunity to meet the inspiring people who lead these groups and see the practical steps that they take to make a difference to the lives of young people has been a real privilege.” Tim Williams
Together we are stronger
Together we create change
Passionate about community action and enabling positive change, the team of twelve at Two Ridings is made up of people from all over the region. Working closely with the hundreds of organisations we support, we have a unique insight into both the incredible work they do, and the deep challenges they face.
Backed up by a board of 15 trustees, collectively we have rich experience in community, private and public leadership and advocacy, charity management and investment. Nearly 100 dedicated volunteers work with us, giving their time to ensure our panels and assessments are fair, equitable and connected to the issues that really matter.
This year we particularly welcome Thomas, Graeme, Vicky and Esther to the Two Ridings team, and Katherine, Victoria and Kathy to the board. What a tour de force we are together.
Financial overview 2024
Income & Endowments
Donations & Grant income £2,174,538
Endowment donations £597,513
Fundraising £21,907
Investment income £293,699
Expenditure
Grants awarded £2,290,333
Community Leadership & Development £144,076
Grant making support £244,159
Raising funds £111,427
Total Funds
Have a flick through the full Impact Report here
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Download the full Impact Report
Interested in making a difference in the future?
Perhaps you want to leave a legacy in Yorkshire or invest in a fund to give back in your local community. Maybe you want to support the work of the foundation to ensure the long term future of support for people and places in the region.
Have a read through our Giving and Philanthropy page or contact Celia on 07519 485103, or Bec on 07708 684025.