The Connecting South Yorkshire Fund

The South Yorkshire Digital Inclusion Network and Citizens Advice Doncaster are pleased to have funds available for projects running in 2024 and 2025 for groups wishing to improve their own digital connectivity, or the offer they provide to their community. Grants will be issued on a first come, first served basis to groups who meet the eligibility criteria noted below.

Who is The Connecting South Yorkshire Fund for?

Grants of up to £3,000 are for charitable and community groups where this support can make a real difference and priority will be given to projects which will be wholly or mostly funded by this grant.

We welcome applications from all community and voluntary groups and organisations operating for the benefit of South Yorkshire communities. Groups must therefore have beneficiaries who live in South Yorkshire and be locally led and run. This includes locally constituted and managed branches of national or large charities. 

Please note that the grant amount and a previous turnover limit for this fund have recently changed.

What can I spend the money on?

This grant is intended to help groups who wish to improve their own digital connectivity and/or for those who help individuals access services online. Actvitiy could include:

• Support providing and improving public access to internet connections and/or technology. 
• Support with the costs associated with the delivery of community based digital inclusion activities, enhancing digital skills, and improving access to online services and information. 

This might include:

• Laptops or IT equipment (routers, cables, webcams, audio equipment etc.)
• Broadband connectivity for you or a group you support
• Project costs for digital literacy programmes
• Improving connections and mobile communication with the people your group and organisation supports

How do we apply?

 Before sending in your application you will first need to:

• Sign up to the Good Things Foundation network to find out about their National Device and Data Bank here www.goodthingsfoundation.org/network/join/
• Complete the South Yorkshire Digital Inclusion Survey https://forms.gle/K1U2wS4bTVrAqSk4A
• Sign up to the South Yorkshire Digital Inclusion Network to receive updates and invites to relevant events https://forms.gle/FuKKjMETdszCsh1v8

Then complete the short application form below. We can accept these forms online, or by hand.  You need to:

• Complete the SYCF Connecting South Yorkshire Application Form online linked below (you can also request this form to complete by hand by contacting us on grants@sycf.org.uk or by telephone on 0114 242 4294.)
• Send us a reference if you are new to SYCF. The reference form is attached to the registration online form or can be sent to you/your referee directly. Please ask them to complete and return the form to us via email or post. We only need a reference from you if you have not applied to SYCF for funds in the past, or it was more than 3 years ago.

Groups applying for the fund are also required to provide:

• A copy of your group’s signed Constitution or Rules which should tell us the names of at least three unrelated Trustees or Directors. If you are a registered charity, or have supplied this on previous applications to SYCF you do not need to resend this document as we will have it on file.
• Your most recent set of audited accounts, or a 12 months income/expenditure sheet so we can understand the finances at your organisation.
• A copy of a recent bank statement in the name of your organisation
• if you would like to purchase any single item over £200 we will need to see two quotes for that purchase wiith information in your application to tell us why you have chosen the particular supplier.
• If you work with vulnerable adults and/or children we will need a copy of your Safeguarding Policy.

We aim to come back to you with 6-8 weeks of receiving an eligible application (i.e. all requested supporting documentation received).

Funds will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. £40,000 will be available in 2024 -2025 to groups working in South Yorkshire.