Agenda item

Celia McKeon, Chief Executive of Two Ridings Community Foundation, presented the report and provided the following updates.

·        Since the end of the financial year, two further rounds of grants have been awarded. In March, the panel met and awarded organisational development and small grants totalling £46,667. A further round of applications opened in June, with the panel meeting in September to award grants totalling almost £30,000.

·        The fund will reopen for applications in June 2026, with an anticipated application window of 6–8 weeks. During this period, support will be provided to applicants and following due diligence and assessment, the panel will meet in September 2026 to make a decision on the applications received.

Following these updates, the following answers were provided to queries raised by members.

·        It was clarified that while Two Ridings also administers funds covering other parts of North Yorkshire, the Heart of Yorkshire Fund is limited to the former Selby District Council area. Details of all Two Riding funds, including those available to the Ainsty area, are published on their website. As funds open and close throughout the year, the website is the most reliable source for up-to-date information. In response to a query about the Allerton Waste Recovery Fund, it was confirmed that the fund has now closed and that there is no remaining balance.

·        Further information was requested on the grant awarded to ‘Moving the Masses’ and their activities. This information would be provided after the meeting.

·        Concerns were raised about the short application window for grants, with Members noting that while extending the period could increase administrative costs, the current approach may restrict access for some groups who need support but must wait to apply. In response, it was explained that the 6–8 week window is intended to strike a balance between being open long enough for applications and providing quick decisions, as a longer window would delay outcomes. It was highlighted that if sufficient funds are available, additional rounds may be opened during the year. It was also highlighted that groups can apply to other Two Ridings programmes at different times of the year – Two Ridings will signpost groups to the most suitable funding opportunities, and urgent needs outside the main window can often be addressed through alternative funds.

·        It was highlighted that the Fund is promoted on social media, the organisation’s newsletter, and its website, giving groups the maximum opportunity to be informed. Members expressed interest in receiving regular updates on awarded grants in order to support their promotion. In response, it was confirmed that once panels have met and grants have been awarded, a list of successful applications and details of the recipient organisations can be shared with members to help them disseminate the information locally. It was also suggested that letters to successful organisations can include a request for funded groups to inform their local councillors about their activities, to help ensure councillors are aware and engaged.

·        Members asked about outcome reporting for funded projects. In response, it was confirmed that Two Ridings monitors and evaluates all grants, with reporting requirements kept proportionate to the size of the award to avoid overburdening smaller groups. All grantees provide an end-of-grant report detailing activities, numbers supported, impact achieved, learning gained, and plans for continuation. To avoid overload, individual reports are not routinely shared with the panel, but the overall impact of the Fund is reviewed.

Resolved

a)     That the update is noted.

b)     That further information on the grant awarded to ‘Moving the Masses’ be provided after the meeting.

c)     That updates on successful grantees be shared with Members so that they can help to promote the organisations.