The York Community Fund is a new independent fund set up as a partnership between Two Ridings Community Foundation, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, City of York Council, York CVS and York Together.
The fund has been created to actively improve the wellbeing for the people who live, work and study in York, support purposeful community action and create a sense of belonging.
The guidelines for this fund were created by the York community through a participatory decision-making process. A participatory approach ensures decisions can be made collectively. It involves people with lived experience as well as practiced and professional experience. Decisions on which applications will be funded will also be made by this community panel.
Fund priorities
Organisations should clearly demonstrate how they are addressing local need in at least one of the following priorities. This can either be through funding your core costs (e.g. a wellbeing support organisation paying for their overheads) or through providing activity, projects or support.
Affordability and cost of living
For example:
· Organisations being able to keep the lights on / doors open
· Taking action to tackle the cost-of-living crisis
· Reducing food and / fuel poverty
· Personal budget management
Climate action
For example:
· Taking action to support environmental improvements
· Increasing walking and cycling for climate and health
Equalities and Human Rights
For example:
· Providing culturally appropriate activities & opportunities that promote equity, diversity and inclusion, health and wellbeing
· Neurodiversity inclusion
· Providing advocacy and support for people experiencing disadvantage or discrimination
Health and wellbeing
For example:
· Creating a joined up, holistic approach to health and wellbeing
· Counselling, mentoring, befriending and advocacy
· Parenting support e.g. new parents, parenting skills
· Providing opportunities for social interaction, confidence building and/or skills development.