Charity’s record-breaking year of giving tops £2m

1st June 2026

A regional charity which awards grants to help communities in South Yorkshire to thrive is celebrating a record-breaking year of giving.

In its last financial year, South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF) distributed £2.1 million to voluntary and community groups across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.
 
In the reporting period, the Foundation supported 669,317 people with an overall grant application success rate of 79.2 per cent.
 
This record-breaking year brings the Foundation’s 40-year impact to a total of £40 million in grant funding awarded to a diverse range of vital causes, projects and communities. 

Martin Singer, chief executive of SYCF, said: “For 40 years, South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation has stood alongside local communities. And we’re incredibly proud this past year has been one of our most impactful yet.
 
“Thanks to the generosity of our donors and partners, we’ve been able to distribute more than £2 million in funding in just 12 months - reaching communities in every corner of South Yorkshire. That funding has gone directly to grassroots organisations, the people who know their communities best and are there when it matters most.
 
“None of this happens without our donors and partners and we are so grateful to them for supporting us to make change happen in South Yorkshire.
 
“Local generosity means local impact. Our donors and partners genuinely care about their communities, and we’re helping turn that generosity into real, practical support for grassroots groups.” 

Grant funding was used to support a range of projects which improve physical and mental health, wellbeing and safety, life skills, education, employability and enterprise and those which transform access and engagement with the environment and public spaces.

Kamran Din, director at DESA, said: “The money from South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation was pivotal in enabling us to reach a wider cohort of people.
 
“Without the funding, what happens is that we have to charge participants 50p to £1 more which ultimately has a knock-on effect and causes people to become disengaged because they can't afford it and they put additional barriers in place.
 
“I'd like to say thank you to all the donors and supporters of SYCF for their belief in DESA’s mission and hopefully we can continue to establish something amazing together.”
 
Martin added: “We’re so proud to be able announce this significant grant-making figure in what is a milestone year for SYCF. Our 40th anniversary isn’t just about celebrating what we’ve achieved. It’s about continuing to invest in South Yorkshire’s future together.
 
“As we look ahead, we’re inviting more people to be part of this journey.
 
“By supporting us, you’re investing in local communities, supporting them to thrive and make South Yorkshire a better place for everyone.”

For more information or to start a giving journey with SYCF, visit www.sycf.org.uk.