Funding the Future, together

25 years logo

For 25 years, Two Ridings Community Foundation has been a force for good—supporting grassroots initiatives, empowering communities, and helping to transform lives across Yorkshire.

Since 2000, we’ve distributed over £23 million in grants to more than 7,000 local projects and charities—creating lasting change and opening new possibilities for thousands of people across our region.

Now, we’re focused on the future. As our communities evolve, so does our commitment to them. Building on everything we’ve achieved together, we’re looking ahead—partnering with donors, funders, and community groups to shape a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone who calls Yorkshire home.

The next 25 years start today. Join us in funding the future.

blue star icon Help us reach £25 million blue star icon

To mark this milestone, we are launching a fundraising appeal to ensure that we continue to support communities for decades to come. Whether you’re an individual donor, a local business, or a long-standing partner, your support is essential in shaping a stronger, more resilient future.

Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will help sustain and grow community support where it is needed most.

  • £25 – Regular donation
  • £250 – One-off contribution
  • £2,500 – Fund a full small grant to a grassroots organisation
  • £10,000 – Help an organisation develop and expand its impact
  • £25,000 – Contribute to one of our place-based Community Funds in Hull, Selby, Scarborough, Harrogate, or York
  • £50,000 – Establish your own named fund to support a cause close to your heart

Donate today

Talk to us about the impact you want to make

25 years of impact

Over the years, we have supported thousands of organisations, each with their own powerful story. Here are just a few examples of how your donations have changed people’s lives

A word from Celia

“This 25-year milestone is more than a celebration of time — it’s a celebration of people. Every step of our journey has been made possible by the generosity, vision, and belief of our donors, partners, and community organisations.

Every grant awarded, every life uplifted, and every neighbourhood strengthened stands as a testament to your support. Together, we’ve built something truly special — a foundation rooted in Yorkshire, powered by local giving, and driven by a shared purpose.

As we look to the future, our mission remains clear: to strengthen and connect our local communities, and ensure that no one is left behind. With your continued support, we can keep investing in the people and places that make our region thrive.

Thank you for being part of our journey. We invite you to stand with us in shaping the next 25 years — let’s fund the future, together.”

Our 25th Anniversary Celebration

blue star icon Celebrate with us blue star icon

Our 25th celebration on Wednesday 1st October is at the iconic York Art Gallery. It is an opportunity for fund holders, supporters, community leaders, and past and present team members and volunteers to come together to reflect and celebrate our journey and look firmly ahead to the future.

One of our greatest strengths is our deep connection with the communities we serve. This event is about celebrating those relationships, sharing impactful stories, and strengthening our collective commitment to lasting change over the next 25 years.

Our 25 year Timeline

2000

York and an early group supported by Two Ridings

York & North Yorkshire Community Foundation founded

The York & North Yorkshire Community Foundation was founded in October 2000 when David Kenworthy, former Chief Constable moved to North Yorkshire from the South East. He was familiar with the work the Quartet Community Foundation had done and wanted to bring that model to his new region.

2010

The Deep in Hull

Extended region to included Hull & East Yorkshire

After starting as York and North Yorkshire Community Foundation, we doubled our area in 2010 to include Hull and East Yorkshire in our region. We rebranded as Two Ridings Community Foundation to depict the connection between North and East Yorkshire and  created new partnerships all over  our area.

2014

Jan Garrill

Jan Garrill takes over the reins at Two Ridings

Jan Garrill came from a Local Government background after working for many years at Newcastle City Council. Originally from Sheffield, she was happy to be back in Yorkshire and ready to make an impact.

 

2016

flooding in york in 2016

£1.5 millions raised for people affected by York floods

2016 saw floods enveloping the city of York overnight. Two Ridings reacted quickly creating the first York Flood Appeal and working with local businesses and emergency services to make a difference quickly.

2017

Ripon Walled Garden

First place-based community fund launches

THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District was launched. Teaming up with the local council and town’s infrastructure organisation gave Two Ridings the right foundation to launch a fund very locally for people both in the rural district and local towns. Hundreds of community organisations have since been funded on a micro-local level.

2019

blue balloon£10 million distributed!

In 2019 Two Ridings reached the milestone of distributing £10 million in grants across North & East Yorkshire, York and Hull.

 

2020

New to Leadership first cohort HEY Confident Futures

HEY Confident Futures leadership network launched

Our free network for leaders in the voluntary and cultural sector in Hull and East Yorkshire was launched in 2020. Now with over 500 members, it supports people at all stages of leadership—from emerging to established. The network fosters collaboration through events, shared resources, and sector news, helping people and organisations grow together.

2021

A community organisation during the pandemic with masks on

Distributed £3 million over the pandemic

When Covid hit the nation, Two Ridings reacted super quickly. We opened the Coronavirus Fund in March 2020 recognising the impact poverty, poor mental health and equality were already having on the region’s people. We also knew without support community organisations were at risk of going under. Within a week of opening, we made our first £1k grant, distributing more and more on a monthly basis.

2022

Prince Princess of Wales

Two Ridings host Royalty

In 2022 we were honoured to introduce the Prince and Princess of Wales to several community organisations in the Scarborough region and host a round table with a group of young people from the town to chat about what would make an impact in their lives.

2023

Celia Mckeon

New CEO Celia McKeon leads the Foundation

Celia McKeon joined Two Ridings from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, bringing a wealth of philanthropic and grant making experience to lead the team into the next generation.

 

2024

Choirs and dancers in Hull and York

Community Funds open in Hull and York

Because people are passionate about the places where they live and they want to support community action directly in their own town or neighbourhood, we launched both the Hull Community Fund and the York Community Fund in 2024.

2025

Two Ridings team and logo

Celebrating 25 years

A team of 11, a board of 13 and a hundred volunteers make up Two Ridings Community Foundation. Together, with past members of our team, we have distributed just over £23 million to some 7000+ community organisations across the length and breadth of North and East Yorkshire, York and Hull.

Help us reach £25 million. Help us fund the future.

Because impact doesn't end with what we've done

It begins with what we choose to do next

Donate today


If you’d like to get involved with Two Ridings Community Foundation in this special year, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@tworidingscf.org.uk .

Are you a community group we've supported? 

Find out how you can contribute to our Anniversary Time Capsule and get involved in our special year.

Be part of it 

A big thank you to our 25th Anniversary sponsors

W1M
Joseph Turner