Meet our team: Jess O'Neill
As Grants and Partnerships Manager, Jess plays a pivotal role at SYCF.
Every year, Jess and the grants team deliver hundreds of grants totalling over £1m to community groups and individuals across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.
Originally from London, Jess has previously worked with Sheffield Theatres and Sheffield Music Academy. She’s actively engaged in her community as a board member of Hull Truck Theatre and as a mentor with the charity, Arts Emergency.
She lives in North Sheffield with her partner, teenage daughter, dog and cat!
Tell us a bit about you and your career?
My background is predominantly in the arts; I worked in TV and film during, and after leaving University and then moved to Sheffield in 2007 to be closer to the countryside. I worked in the private sector initially but was thrilled to eventually land a role in Corporate Fundraising for Sheffield Theatres – not only the home of wonderful art, but also the home of World Snooker which is another passion of mine. I worked there for seven years and made lots of friends and connections before joining the Sheffield Music Academy (SMA) as General Manager in 2015. During this time, I also became a Trustee for Sheffield based theatre company Third Angel and music organisation Classical Sheffield.
I did lots of fundraising for SMA and managed teaching bursaries that most of the students received from the Department for Education to study at the Academy, as well as managing the day to day running and finances of this busy music school. My collective experience in fundraising and fund management and desire to move to the other side of income generation, led me to the role of Grants and Partnerships Manager at SYCF in October 2023.
What inspired you to join the Foundation?
I joined South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation because I wanted to make a positive difference in the place I now call home. I’ve always believed that strong, well-supported community groups are the heartbeat of a thriving region and SYCF gives me the opportunity to turn that belief into action.
SYCF has made such an impact in its nearly four decades working across South Yorkshire and I am so excited about the chance to build on this as we prepare to enter our 40th year in 2026.
Being part of an organisation that invests in grassroots initiatives and responds to real community needs is incredibly rewarding. It’s why I wanted to be a part of this incredible organisation and why I’m passionate about the work we do.
What does your role involve?
As Grants and Partnerships Manager, I manage all our grant-making programmes which support voluntary and community organisations across South Yorkshire.
Annually, we give out more than £1m to hundreds of voluntary and community groups. Some of our grants operate on a rolling basis, such as Sheffield Legacy Fund, while others open and close for applications throughout the year, for example of Community and Small Grants.
Currently, I am part the steering group for the Working Together in Research and Sheffield’s SEGA programmes. I am part of the Yorkshire Funder and South Yorkshire Funders Network, and I contribute where I can to local VCSE groups across the region.
I also oversee volunteer recruitment and training for grant decision-making panels and organise annual events for panel members
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your role?
That’s so hard to answer, there are so many! I really enjoy travelling across South Yorkshire to attend events and visit our community groups in person. To think that I play a small role in helping our communities to thrive is a real privilege.
We are also a true team here at SYCF. All of my colleagues are passionate and brilliant at what they do and it is so refreshing that we all work together with a common goal.
What’s been the highlight of working at SYCF?
As Grants Manager, I feel fortunate that my role is full of highlights. Being able to award funding to community groups and then see the impact it has is a real privilege. Knowing that our support is helping projects grow and strengthen communities is what makes the role so rewarding.
What is your favourite thing about South Yorkshire?
Without a doubt, it is the proximity to the Peak District and surrounding countryside. And the people in it!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
You will mostly find me at a gig or concert, at the cinema or theatre, with friends at a pub quiz or walking my silly spaniel dog with my family near my home in North Sheffield. We also like to support our local football team, and watch the snooker if we can get a ticket!