Most decisions are made within 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the fund and how quickly we receive all the required documents. If anything is missing, the process may take longer, so it’s helpful to send everything together when you apply, if you can. Each fund’s guidance notes also include an indication of when applicants can expect to hear back.

Start by choosing the fund whose location, priorities and aims best match your project. If we feel your work would be a stronger fit for another fund, we will talk to you about moving your application. If you’re unsure, simply get in touch, and we’ll talk it through with you. Our grants team are always happy to help.

As our funds are limited and we often receive far more applications than we can support, we give priority to smaller and grassroots organisations, where a typical grant of around £4,800 can have a real impact. Most of our funds don’t support organisations with an income above £500,000, and some have lower thresholds. If you’re just over the limit, please speak with us before submitting an application. Please check the guidance notes for the turnover limit on the fund you want to apply to.

You can apply if your project delivers clear benefits to people in York, North, Hull or East Yorkshire. We give priority to organisations with a genuine local presence, so if you are based elsewhere, you’ll need to demonstrate strong local connections, partnerships and a good understanding of the community you aim to support.

Some funds offer multi‑year support, and where this is possible, it will be explained in the guidance notes. However, some offer funding for projects lasting up to one year.

Our funds can support project costs, activity costs, equipment, and, in many cases, a fair contribution towards your organisation’s overheads/running costs. We encourage groups to consider full cost recovery so that you’re not left trying to cover hidden or unfunded overheads.

Full cost recovery is a way of ensuring that your project covers its fair share of your organisation’s overheads/running costs, such as management, administration, insurance or rent. It’s designed to help organisations stay sustainable and avoid underfunding essential work.

Yes, unless your organisation can reclaim it. If you can claim VAT back, the grant may be paid without VAT, or you may need to return any reclaimed amounts at a later stage.

All our funds do cover full cost recovery, because we know these costs help keep organisations going and allow them to deliver good work. The majority of our funds do not cover 100% of these costs. If a particular fund cannot support overheads, it makes this clear in the guidance notes.

Yes. You will need a fiscal host who can hold the grant money for you and show it separately ringfenced in their accounts. Or use a fiscal host organisation such as Change Nest.

No. We support a wide range of not‑for‑profit organisations, including unregistered community groups.

Yes, provided the work you want funding for is entirely charitable, and your organisation has an asset lock, the correct dissolution clause, and at least three unrelated directors with equal control. We cannot fund trading activity or overheads / general running costs for CICs, Companies or CBSs, but we can support charitable projects and Full Cost Recovery. If you’re uncertain about the details, we’re happy to advise.

You can also read our additional guidance for CICs and CBSs to check the specific requirements.

In most cases, yes. We usually expect organisations to have been actively working in their community for at least three months, even if they have only recently been formally constituted. Some funds require a longer period, which will be stated in the fund’s guidance notes.

You can apply if you operate as a local branch with your own governing document, trustees/management committee, accounts and bank account. We can’t fund national bodies directly, but we can support local groups working in their communities.

Please get in touch with us; we may still be able to consider your application, but only if we know what’s missing.

Only ask for what you genuinely need; you won’t be penalised for requesting the full amount available. If it’s part of a bigger project, let us know where the rest of the funding will come from and if it has been secured.

Most of our funds don’t require it. A few may, and where that’s the case, it will be clear in the guidance notes. Match funding can also be “in‑kind” support, like volunteer time.

This is about being accountable and making sure funds are handled safely. As part of our due diligence, we carry out basic checks to confirm who is responsible for managing the grant. All information is stored securely and only used for grant purposes.

As a general rule, we ask for two like-for-like quotes for any item or work valued at £250 and over. Different funds may have different requirements, and this will be detailed in the guidance notes.

Please check your junk or spam folder, as automated emails sometimes end up there. If you still can’t find it, give us a call and we’ll check your application has been received.

Talking with an assessor helps us understand your project in a richer and more personal way. It also gives you the chance to share details that might not come across clearly in the form and to ask any questions you may have about the process.

Yes, absolutely. If you need support to complete your application, please call us and we’ll talk you through it. We also run monthly Drop‑In & Learn sessions, which are a friendly and welcoming way to pick up new skills, hear about our open funds, and meet the grants team. These sessions are ideal if you’re new to applying for funding, want to strengthen your application, or simply prefer talking things through with a real person. You can find upcoming dates and book your place on our website via the event page.

We look for clear evidence of need, a thoughtful approach to reaching the people who will benefit, a realistic and well‑explained budget that is clearly linked to the narrative, and a project that is achievable and relevant to the fund’s priorities. We also consider the organisation’s size, capacity and financial position, especially where resources are limited.

Strong applications tend to explain the need clearly and concisely, set out the benefits in a straightforward way, demonstrate a realistic and manageable plan, and show that local people have influenced the design of the project. A clear and honest budget also helps your case.

Applications may be unsuccessful if the project does not meet the criteria of the fund, if key documents are missing, if the budget is unclear, or if the project lacks evidence of community involvement or need. Previous issues with reporting can also affect eligibility.

Once an application has been checked and assessed, a summary is prepared for a grants panel. Our panels include local residents, subject specialists, and people with experience of community needs. Their recommendations then go to our Grants Committee for final approval. We aim for the process to be fair, thoughtful and rooted in local knowledge.

Once you have accepted your offer and provided a recent bank statement in your organisation’s name, along with any outstanding conditions, payment usually arrives within two weeks.

We always welcome grantees sharing good news about their work and acknowledging support from Two Ridings Community Foundation. It helps raise the profile of your organisation, shines a light on the power of local giving, and encourages more support for communities across North and East Yorkshire. If you’re including our name in your publicity or reports, please use our full name. You can also use our logo when talking about your project; guidance and downloadable versions are available here.

We also love seeing photos, stories and updates from your project, so please do send them our way or tag us on social media so we can help share and celebrate your work.

Possibly, but please speak to us about this first. We are happy to discuss changes as long as they still support the overall purpose of your original application. Spending the grant on something not agreed upon without permission may mean some or all of the funding needs to be returned.

In many cases, we can agree on an extension, as long as it’s allowed within the rules of the fund. Please let us know as soon as possible if your project timeline is changing so we can best support you.

We may visit to see how your project is developing or as part of our reporting process. We also occasionally bring donors or supporters to meet the groups they have funded, as it helps them see the real‑life impact of their generosity. You would be fully informed before this takes plac,e and we do not expect any special treatment if we come.

Reporting helps us confirm that the grant has been used as planned and gives us a clearer picture of what your project achieved. Your honest feedback, including challenges, helps us shape future funding so it better supports local needs.

A short story about someone your project has helped brings your work to life in a way numbers alone can’t. It helps us demonstrate the value of community‑led projects and encourages donors to continue supporting groups like yours.