South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF) is celebrating a double nomination at the Yorkshire Choice Awards 2026.
The Foundation has been nominated in the Charitable Excellence category, recognising its impact across the region over the past 40 years.
Since being founded in 1986, SYCF has invested more than £40 million into local charities and grassroots projects, helping to make South Yorkshire healthier, fairer and safer. Funding has supported everything from foodbanks and mental health services to projects helping young people into education and employment.
Long-serving SYCF supporter Anne Dean, from Sheffield, has also been nominated in the Volunteer of the Year category.
Anne began volunteering in 1986 - the year the Foundation was established - and for almost four decades has played a vital role in supporting community groups across the region. She remains closely involved in the charity’s grant-giving, helping to ensure funding reaches those who need it most.
SYCF volunteer Anne Dean has been nominated for a Yorkshire Choice Award
We’re incredibly proud to be nominated, especially as we celebrate our 40th year. It means a great deal to see the difference we make in communities being recognised in this way.
We’re also delighted to see Anne nominated. Her dedication over the past four decades has been nothing short of extraordinary. She takes great pride in working with the rest of our dedicated volunteers to ensure that funding decisions are fair and reach the communities who need it most.
Martin Singer, Chief Executive of South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation
Beyond grant giving programmes and emergency appeals such as the South Yorkshire Flood Disaster Relief Appeal, SYCF guides businesses to grow and develop social value, through its South Yorkshire’s Giving Network and supports the voluntary sector through its South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau (SYFAB) training and advice programme.
Martin added:
Behind the numbers are thousands of lives changed for the better and that’s what drives us in our mission to build stronger communities and brighter futures across South Yorkshire.
Winners will be decided by public vote via VOTE FOR YOUR 2026 YORKSHIRE CHOICE WINNERS. Voting closes on 1 March 2026.
Meet Martin
Martin Singer is our Chief Executive, overseeing the Foundation’s daily operations, strategic development, and growth. With 25 years of experience in leadership roles across retail, he brings a wealth of expertise to his role. Martin is also dedicated to giving back to the community through his volunteer work as a Director and Trustee at local organisations, such as the Sheffield Museums Trust.
Martin Singer
Chief Executive
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