York charities share over £145,000 funding boost from York Community Fund

48 community groups across York have received more than £145,000 in the latest round of grants from the York Community Fund – strengthening local groups and supporting purposeful community action across the city.

The funding helps groups keep their work going, respond to local priorities and build a city where everyone feels they belong.

A fund shaped by York, for York

The York Community Fund is a partnership between Two Ridings Community Foundation, City of York Council, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York CVS and York Together.

Launched in 2024, the fund backs York’s voluntary and community organisations in practical, meaningful ways, giving them the funding, stability and support they need to make a difference locally.

This latest round includes:

• 41 Micro grants to help fill gaps in local provision
• Seven Collaboration grants giving community leaders time to reflect, learn and strengthen partnership working

MySight York and OCAY are using their collaboration grants to work together to explore a new partnership to offer stronger support for older people living with sight loss. OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity received a collaboration grant to develop a clearer pathway that will support children when they return to York after specialist treatment elsewhere.

Alongside these collaboration grants, micro grants were distributed to support quick, flexible community projects across the city. The Island is training new youth mentoring volunteers. St James the Deacon Parish Church has received support for its Family and Community Worker. Kyra Women’s Project is running creative writing courses designed for neurodivergent women. The Tiny Roar CIC is co-designing free events for the Make Space York Festival 2026.

Working in a participatory way

As in previous rounds, funding decisions for the York Community Fund were made through a participatory process. Twelve local people with lived experience of tackling social and economic disadvantage in York shaped the application guidance, reviewed applications and made the final decisions.

Thomas Waring, Head of Grants at Two Ridings, said

“Participatory grant making is about grounding decision making in people’s real experience of life and local knowledge. It moves the decision making power away from traditional funders, and puts it  in the hands of the people who know their communities best.

“After distributing the first round of funding, a group of residents and charity leaders came together to learn from that experience, and further strengthen how the fund runs, responding directly to the needs of community organisations.

“Their ideas have shaped a simpler application process and made the reporting proportionate.  All of this means that it takes less time away from delivering the work that actually matters.”

York Communities of Practice

This learning also led to the creation of Communities of Practice, regular gatherings where collaboration grant holders can share, reflect, and explore practical ways to work together. The first session in February created a supportive space that left people participating feeling seen, energised, and hopeful. One described it as “a warm hug disguised as a meeting”, while another called it “a space to be heard and genuinely supported.”

The additional organisations that benefited from the York Community Fund are as follows:

Collaboration grants 

• Lived Insights created a Partnership Lab bringing organisations and people with lived experience together to explore new ways of working.
• Generate allocated leadership time and mentoring support to strengthen work, share best practices and encourage collective accountability through the Trans Inclusivity Network.
• Tang Hall Community Centre dedicated time for staff to reflect and develop stronger collaboration across the Centre.
• York In Recovery created a Queer Recovery Group to support LGBTQ+ people affected by addiction.
• Clown Space CIC build new partnerships, deepen mentoring opportunities and expanding accessible provision.

Micro grants 

• Chocolate and Co purchased a new coffee machine to support their community café.
• The Collective Sharehouse Ltd is buying fresh vegetables each week for ‘Give as you can Take as you need’ food support.
• The Land Haxby delivering family fun sessions that bring people together in a welcoming setting.
• Insight2wellbeing creating an accessible digital presence so more people with disabilities can access support.
• York Ukrainian Society running weekly support sessions for Ukrainian families settling in York.
• Family Matters York funding towards organisational overheads that allow the team to keep supporting families.
• Older Citizens Advocacy York support for core running costs so advocacy for older people can continue
• New Visuality deliver art workshops and an exhibition that brings to life the experiences of refugees.
• York Travellers Trust cost of producing and distributing hampers to families most in need.
• Emerging Voices support to improve visibility and grow fundraising through branded materials and contactless donation devices.
• Welfare Benefits Unit dedicated staff time for the Welfare Rights Advice Line.
• Move the Masses delivery of the Move Mates project which supports people to walk regularly with a volunteer.
• Musical Connections provides free and accessible transport to help older people attend musical activities.
• The Hut York Ltd funding towards running costs to keep the building open and supportive.
• Poppleton Community Railway Nursery Ltd purchased storage cupboards and worktops for their new community space.
• Refugee Action York delivering a youth residential and follow on programme for young refugees and asylum seekers.
• Good Organisation Social Ventures CIC funding to bring staff, volunteers, board and beneficiaries together for strategic planning.
• Snappy purchased secure weatherproof storage unit for toys games and sensory equipment.
• Shopmobility York support for overheads so mobility equipment remains available in the city centre.
• YoCo York Central Co Owned external support for website and communications to increase visibility.
• York Environment Forum implemented IT software to help run the Environment Festival and share information.
• York Disability Rights Forum funding towards Annual Quiet Pride, celebrating disabled and neurodivergent LGBTQ plus people.
• Foxwood Tai Chi Group covering tutor fees and room hire for community tai chi sessions
• Night Light Theatre CIC funding to run Create to Connect, which uses theatre to improve wellbeing.
• Out of Character support for core costs of an inclusive theatre company
• 2nd Acomb St Stephens Scout Group mechanical work and safety checks for the ten scout minibuses.
• The Mixed Bag Players purchased materials for puppet making as well as support for their governance and mental health first aid training.
• Gateway York CIO funding to run their warm space and offer signposting support.
• Friends of Rowntree Park invested in a rainwater harvesting composting and essential furniture for community gardening.
• Panda Playgroup purchased outdoor play and learning equipment for young children
• Derwent Lions CIO hosted a Christmas party for care home residents, including all transport.
• York City Church fitted acoustic panels for The Citadel Wellbeing Hub, which supports a wide range of community groups.

Summarising the importance of the fund and the process, Celia McKeon, Chief Executive of Two Ridings said…

“York Community Fund is designed and managed by, with and for people and communities in the city. We are proud that it supports such a large number of vital community organisations, whose work is improving people’s lives on a daily basis. Life in our city is better because of their activities. We know that funding is crucial to their survival, but also to their ability to develop their work and meet changing needs.  We are committed to growing the fund and walking alongside community groups in the years ahead.”

Make a difference in York, donate to the York Community Fund

Businesses and individuals who want to make an impact in York with their charitable giving can donate regularly to the York Community Fund.

Apply for the next round

Applications for the next round of the York Community Fund will open in August 2026. Apply at Two Ridings Community Foundation.