The South Yorkshire Mayor's Youth Impact Fund

Too many young people face financial barriers that make it harder to access the equipment, training, travel, and development opportunities that could help them take the next step.

The Mayor’s Youth Impact Fund has been created to help change that.

Created by South Yorkshire's Mayor, Oliver Coppard, the fund is a commitment to making South Yorkshire a place where every young person has the chance to succeed, regardless of their background.

Grants awarded could cover travel costs to competitions, pay for new musical instruments or sports equipment, or cover training or club fees.

Why the Fund Matters

Every young person should have a fairer chance to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background or circumstances. The Mayors Youth Impact Fund helps talented young people access opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach, creating a fairer South Yorkshire where people can thrive and ambition can be realised.

About the Fund

The fund provides grants of between £2,000 and £10,000 to exceptionally talented young people living in South Yorkshire. Funding can support:

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to young people aged 11 to 19 who live in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham or Sheffield, face financial barriers, and can demonstrate exceptional talent, commitment or potential in their chosen field.

Help Change a Young Person’s Future

Every donation from businesses, organisations and individuals will help talented young people access opportunities that could shape the rest of their lives.

Whether that’s an athlete dreaming of Olympic success, a musician who has the talent to be a future Tramlines headliner, a fashion designer destined for London Fashion Week, or an innovator with ideas that could one day change the world.

Together, we can ensure opportunity is not limited by circumstance.

Interested in becoming a corporate partner? Get in touch.

Other ways to support

South Yorkshire is full of extraordinary young people. We’ve given the world everyone from Jess Ennis to the Arctic Monkeys to Kevin Keegan to Dame Julia Diana Rigg. I want this Fund to help open doors, create opportunities and make sure talent isn't held back by circumstances. Because when young people here are given the chance to do what they do best, I know there's no limit to what they can achieve.

South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard

FAQs

What is the Fund?

Hosted by South Yorkshire's Community Foundation, and in partnership with the King's Trust, the fund will identify and support exceptional young talent in South Yorkshire that face substantial economic barriers to achieving success. 

How do people apply?

Applications will be open from Wednesday 7th October to Friday 4^th December 2026, 9am, for young people in South Yorkshire aged 11-19 who can demonstrate exceptional talent. This can be in any field, including sport, arts and culture, science, technology, entrepreneurship.

The current economic threshold is Free School Meals, or equivalent if not in education. The fund will be advertised across South Yorkshire, via South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, South Yorkshire Community Foundation, Kings Trust and partners.

Young people can apply directly, although nominations and referrals from trusted adults such as youth workers, teachers, coaches and community leaders are encouraged.

Applicants must live in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham or Sheffield.

What do they get?

The first round will pilot the scheme. The inaugural Grants Panel will meet in February 2027 to assess applications and will likely select around 5-7 young people with grants of between £2,000-£10,000 to support with equipment, travel, training. Further rounds of funding applications will follow.

Alongside financial support, successful applicants may have opportunities to connect with ambassadors, mentors and other sources of support

The fund is intended to remove barriers to opportunity. It is not a general hardship fund.

Give me an example of who the fund will support, and how?

A talented runner from Wath cannot fulfil her potential because she cannot afford the right equipment, travel or fees for the local athletic club. Nominated by her PE teacher for funding, a grant is provided to help provide the support required for this athlete to achieve her potential.

The same applies to talented musicians, actors, scientists, fashion designers - you name it!

How will you identify talent?

We are currently writing to invite a number of Ambassadors who are successful in their field and with a connection to South Yorkshire. If you have any suggestions for such ambassadors, who you think can identify exceptional local talent, then please let us know!

Furthermore, we know that youth workers are often best placed to spot potential that others may miss. We would welcome your help in identifying talented young people who could benefit from the Fund, and in promoting the opportunity through your networks.

Why have we created the Fund?

This is a cause very close to the Mayors heart. Throughout his time in South Yorkshire, Oliver has seen too many talented young people in South Yorkshire unable to pursue opportunities because of the costs involved. This was also the case with one of Oliver's closest friends growing up. The Mayor's Youth Impact Fund aims to remove those barriers and ensure that talent, ambition and potential are not limited by family income.

Anything else?

Working with South Yorkshire's Community Foundation and Kings Trust, we will try to signpost applicants to alternative funding where available.