Volunteers Week 2024

Krishna Harish, from Sheffield, is one of our Grants Panel Members, helping to ensure SYCF's grant funding goes to the community groups making the most impact.

To mark Volunteers Week 2024, we put the spotlight on Krishna to highlight her work for the Community Foundation to inspire others to get involved.

Volunteers' Week celebrates the amazing contributions volunteers make to communities across the UK.

It’s a chance to recognise, celebrate and thank our incredible volunteers for all they contribute to our local communities.

As well as helping others, volunteering has been shown to improve volunteers' wellbeing too. Volunteering can also help you gain valuable new skills and experiences, and boost your confidence.

Krishna Harish is a Grants Panel Member at SYCF

Krishna Harish is a Grants Panel Member at SYCF

Krishna's story

My passion is to contribute to the growth and development of my local community by supporting impactful grassroots initiatives. By volunteering as a Grants Panel Member, I can align my personal values with SYCF's mission, helping to ensure that resources are allocated effectively to projects that address local needs, promote social cohesion, and enhance the overall quality of life in South Yorkshire. Through this role, I actively engage in fostering community resilience and sustainability, empowering local groups to create meaningful and lasting change.

As part of my role, I review grant applications, participate in panel meetings in Rotherham and Sheffield, and help make fair and effective funding decisions. By carefully evaluating each grant application, I ensure that resources are directed towards projects that address key local issues, promote social inclusion, and improve the quality of life for residents. My participation in panel meetings allows for collaborative decision-making, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives is considered. This helps to ensure that our funding decisions are equitable and impactful, ultimately contributing to the resilience and sustainability of communities across South Yorkshire.

By participating in the grant review process, you help ensure that vital funding reaches organizations that address key issues and promote social cohesion. This role provides valuable experience in nonprofit operations and strategic decision-making, enhancing your communication skills and understanding of community needs. Additionally, you will see the direct impact of your contributions, as the projects you support lead to real, positive changes in the lives of residents. Volunteering in this capacity not only benefits the community but also offers personal growth and a deeper connection to the place you call home.

To find out more or get involved visit our volunteers page. 

Meet Jess

Jess is responsible for leading the team that delivers effectively and efficiently the SYCF's Grants Programmes and identifying improved ways of working and streamlining. Jess will be the lead officer for managing SYCF's proactive volunteer recruitment for its panels, recruiting and increasing diversity, training and providing on-going support including an annual panel members event. Her working days are Tuesday to Friday.

Jess O'Neill

Grants and Partnerships Manager

Jess O'Neill's LinkedIn page
Jess O'Neill