Honouring groups making lasting local impact

As part of the celebrations marking 40 years of South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF) in 2026, we’re inviting voluntary and community groups from across the region who have been funded by SYCF to showcase their work and enter this special awards programme.

We’ll be recognising exceptional community impact across each of South Yorkshire’s four regions.

A winner will be selected from each area, celebrating the positive change happening in every corner of our region.

What we’re looking for:

Groups who are making a meaningful, lasting difference in their community. For example:

  • Demonstrating strong impact on local people or places
  • Responding to community needs in creative or effective ways
  • Running projects that support our key themes – crime and safety, disadvantaged and socio-economic inequality, housing and homelessness and work and the local economy
  • Evidence of sustained commitment or long-term change

Shortlisted groups will be invited to attend a special event in May 2026.

  • Entry deadline:

    28th February 2026

  • Shortlist announced:

    Spring 2026

  • Celebration event:

    14th May 2026

Meet Jess

Jess works Tuesdays - Fridays every week and oversees all of the grant programmes, so is able to help with specific and general queries about our programmes, our application systems and processes.

She also oversees our panels and our many volunteers that lead on our decision making for many of our funds.

Jess holds a weekly Teams drop-in sessions as an opportunity to chat to groups about any questions they may have, or assistance with our application system. These are held most Wednesdays 4pm - 5pm. The link to these meetings can be found on our Apply page.

Jess O'Neill

Grants and Partnerships Manager

0114 242 4857

JOneill@sycf.org.uk

Jess O'Neill