Volunteer
Our volunteers are an important part of our grant giving process, helping community groups to make a difference.
Distributing funding to community groups would not be possible without the passionate and dedicated effort of our volunteers, whether as a grant panel member or their expertise as a Trustee.
With the support of the staff team at South Yorkshire's Community Foundation, volunteers have gained insight into the regional impact of grant funding, thanks to their input in assessing applications, for example.
Our wide-ranging volunteering programme offers the chance to become involved in a variety of different roles.
As a volunteer with South Yorkshire's Community Foundation, you will be provided with:
- An introduction to the Foundation
- Details of the responsibilities of your specific volunteer role, including support and training available
- An opportunity for panel members to attend a relevant grants panel as an observer to gain an overview of the role
- Further training to learn in detail about the volunteering process
Krishna Harish, from Sheffield, is one of SYCF's Grants Panel Members, helping to ensure our grant funding goes to the community groups making the most impact. Read more here.
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.
Krishna Harish is a Grants Panel Member at SYCF
Variety through volunteering
Take a look at some of the volunteering roles we have available:
Join a grants assessment panel
- Join our independent decision-making panels to ensure our grant funding goes to the community groups making the most impact
Grant Panel Recruitment Pack
(PDF, 2.79 MB)
Marketing
- Supporting with new or existing campaigns
- Writing inspirational stories
- Assisting in managing social media sites
Administration
- Helping with our day-to-day office needs with administrative support
- Admin duties including minute taking, transcription, editing and proof-reading
Bid writing
- Learn the ropes of bid writing
- Help SYCF to bring in more funding opportunities to South Yorkshire
Fundraising
- Passionate about fundraising? Have a chat about how you can channel your passion through SYCF
Project Planning
- Support to streamline and create more effective campaigns and projects
Research
- Using databases, or using your research capabilities to support project work at the Foundation
With SYCF since Day One
Anne joined South Yorkshire's Community Foundation in 1986 after being asked to get involved with the Sheffield panel by a Trustee - keen to take the opportunity to contribute towards community development and make a difference.
She has played a significant role in the Community Foundation as a volunteer on our grant panels. Her dedication, passion and commitment was recognised as part of the national Volunteers Week.
"I have learnt so much about people and places in Sheffield and in visiting groups am constantly reminded and amazed at what can be achieved with relatively small amounts of money"
South Yorkshire's Community Foundation is keen to recruit people from ethnic minorities throughout our volunteering opportunities, to truly represent the diverse make-up of our communities in the region.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of our volunteering offer, then please get in touch.
Meet Jess
Jess is responsible for leading the team which delivers SYCF's Grants Programmes, focusing on improved ways of working and streamlining. Jess is the lead officer for managing our volunteer recruitment and training for panels - providing on-going support and an annual panel members event. Her working days are Tuesday to Friday.
Jess O'Neill
Grants and Partnerships Manager
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