Donate to Two Ridings’ 25th Anniversary Appeal
Two Ridings is celebrating 25 years this year. Having distributed over £23 million in that time, we have impacted a lot of lives. But we are not just reflecting on the past; we are building the future. Help shape the next 25 years of community impact with your contribution. Every pound you give is securing a brighter future for grassroots organisations, ensuring they can continue to make a difference for local people for generations to come.
Let’s raise £250,000 together and ensure no community is left behind.
To make an online donation, click on the “Donate” button on the right. These contributions will go directly support the work of the Two Ridings, ensuring the vital work community organisations do that transforms people’s lives can carry on being funded and supported.
To make a larger donation or to set up a fund as an individual, or on behalf of a business, contact Celia McKeon at Two Ridings Community Foundation.
Where will your donation go?
Larger donations fund specific grants. Find out more about how those grants impact people below.
- £2,500 – Funds a full Small Grant to a grassroots organisation
- £10,000 – Help an organisation develop and expand its impact with an Organisational Development Grant
- £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
A small percentage of your donation helps cover Two Ridings’ costs in managing and administering your contribution — ensuring it is used effectively and delivers the greatest possible impact for local people and communities.
£2,500 makes up a Small Grant
Small Grants are distributed by Two Ridings on a rolling basis. Groups can apply for one every year.
Some examples of a typical Small Grant:
A small bag making a big difference
Comfort Cases UK | Across North Yorkshire
Comfort Cases UK provide personalised packages – a rucksack packed with a hygiene pack, blanket, pyjamas, a soft toy , reading book and stationery – for children moving into care. One teenager felt lost and anxious moving between foster homes with nothing of his own, until receiving a Comfort Case that gave him a sense of control and comfort.
“It made me feel like they cared more than I thought—like I wasn’t just another case.’
Transforming confidence through clothes
Smart Works, Leeds
Smart Works’ small grant supported 126 women from across the region to grow in confidence and secure employment. During the funding period, 77% of these women secured roles, and 96% reported a confidence increase.
“Smart Works is amazing. All the staff were welcoming, happy to listen, and made me feel relaxed. When I came to see them, I had lost faith in my own abilities. I was feeling quite low, and they made me feel positive. It was a great experience.” (Smart Works Client)
The ripple effect of a grant
Sheriff Hutton Cricket Club
When Sheriff Hutton Cricket Club received a small grant for new nets, they invited people down to socialise. Bryan, an 80 year old man spent most of his time sat at home, isolated from the outside world. Since being invited to the club – to socialise initially -he is now getting stuck in with physically active tasks such as maintaining hedges around the cricket ground, doing just a little bit each week day.
“It’s really given him a new lease of life, and purpose, at the club that his grandsons now play at.”
£10,000 funds an Organisational Development Grant
Organisational development grants enable community organisations to make the ‘next step’ they need to be even more transformative in their communities. A £10,000 donation allows them to improve their capability or capacity, and work towards sustainability.
See the impact of £10,000 Organisational Development Grants below:
Building resilience to strengthen recovery
York in Recovery
York in Recovery used their grant to hire two part-time staff, increasing capacity and impact. With 1,250 visits to the Recovery Hub, more people are building resilience and strengthening their recovery.
“After leaving a 22-year corporate career to prioritise her mental health, one woman found new purpose supporting others through trauma—helping create safe spaces that have transformed lives, including her own.”
Strengthening a whole organisation's output
New Beginnings Peer Support
New Beginnings is using an Organisational Development grant to rent flexible space for in-person support, boosting client care, team collaboration, and peer-led services.
“One woman arrived anxious and isolated, facing abuse and legal issues. With steady support, she’s gained confidence, overcome challenges, and found work—she’s transformed from the person we first met.”
£25,000 contributes to a placed-based fund, investing directly in your local area
A £25,000 donation to one of our community funds in Hull, Selby, Scarborough, York or Harrogate plays a pivotal role in creating opportunities, providing meaningful activities and improving wellbeing for many groups of people in your local area. Grants are usually around £5k. Alternatively you might want to put £25,000 towards 10 small grants or to set up an Acorn Fund.
See the impact grants make locally, directly from a place-based community fund:
Empowering boys through dance and creativity
inkahoots!, Scarborough | North Yorkshire Coast Fund
The funding was instrumental in launching the Brave Project, which uses dance and creative activities to empower boys and men in Scarborough. By providing resources for staff, space, and trips, the project fosters collaboration, positive mental health, and emotional wellbeing, giving participants the opportunity to express themselves, overcome anxieties, and build supportive connections.
Hope and self worth through connection
Lifeline, Harrogate | THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District
Lifeline Harrogate runs a fortnightly lunch club that offers more than nourishing meals—it creates community, connection, and a sense of achievement for residents in supportive housing. It’s a vital space for socialising and emotional support, helping one participant, in particular, find hope, self-worth, and a path to personal transformation.
Helping secure employment through clothing
The Clothing Bank, Selby | Heart of Yorkshire Fund, Selby
The Clothing Bank’s supports people and families in need by providing clothing and essential items. Their funded saw them purchase additional equipment, including an industrial washing machine and dryer, as well as durable storage boxes. They can now provide more diverse clothing and essential supplies, like backpacks and stationery for school children, helping people access the clothing they need to build confidence, secure employment, and improve their quality of life.
Set up your own fund with £50,000
If you have a specific issue you want to address in the region (climate, homelessness for example) or there is a particular group of people you want to benefit (children & young people, for example) £50,000 can set up your own personalised fund. Various families in the region have their own funds and businesses like the Bettys & Taylors Group use their funding to address the issues they want to address across their area.
See the impact of grants made directly from a named fund managed by Two Ridings:
Cooking course leading to employment
Giroscope, Hull | Bettys Family Fund
Giroscope in Hull received nearly £50,000 over three years to run a youth cooking programme. In its final year, a third of the 71 participants achieved life-changing outcomes—15 gained jobs and 9 pursued further education. With new skills and confidence, they transformed their lives and strengthened their community..
“Courtney started out shy, but her passion for cooking quickly shone through. With growing skill and confidence, she earned a pastry apprenticeship—her progress has been remarkable.”
Improving children’s lives throughout Yorkshire
Williams Family Fund
One family fund focuses on supporting children and young people, wanting to affect change, particularly for those who have been affected by adversity. £50,000 supported 5 groups with year long projects ranging from family and individual counselling sessions, art workshops leading to recognised arts qualifications, life skills in the kitchen, accessible swimming sessions, helping kids build social connections as well as confidence and a dedicated Youth Council for Scarborough to enable’s young people’s voices be heard and dedicated action taken.
Because impact doesn't end with what we've done
It begins with what we choose to do next