New CEO joins South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation

Martin Singer:

I’m incredibly proud to be stepping into the role of CEO at South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation and honoured to have the opportunity to lead the organisation.

Over almost 40 years, the Foundation has created a remarkable legacy of empowering communities, supporting local charities and making a lasting difference across the region. I look forward to building on the successes achieved over the last four decades and ensuring we continue to be at the heart of South Yorkshire’s charitable sector.

 

Chris Booth-Mayblin, chair of South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation:

We’re delighted to have Martin on board leading the next exciting chapter for South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation as we prepare to celebrate 40 years of giving.

He’s a highly experienced leader with a strong background in building successful teams, developing strategies and driving change. Martin has a proven track-record of delivering results through collaboration and a real passion for the not-for-profit sector.

His appointment builds on the strong foundations and success achieved under the leadership of our outgoing CEO, Ruth Willis, who has dedicated 12 remarkable years of service to the Community Foundation.

 

During Ruth’s tenure, which started in 2013, she has been responsible for some of the Community Foundation’s biggest successes.

During the floods of 2019, Ruth negotiated match-funding against the Community Foundation’s Flood Appeal to create a fund of approximately £1.4 million to support affected households.

Throughout Covid, Ruth steered the Foundation through the pandemic, increasing its staff team to ensure it was able to continue awarding grants to community groups, charities and voluntary organisations.

With the High Sheriff Barry Eldred DL, Ruth was integral to producing the South Yorkshire Homeless Survival Guide and website.

She also led a Philanthropy Catalyst Match Fund Challenge - increasing the Foundation’s endowment by a further £1 million.

Other highlights included organising the 2017 Community Champion Awards in partnership with BBC Radio Sheffield, supporting the formation of South Yorkshire Charity Mentors, where she is currently a board member, creating the South Yorkshire Funder’s Forum and bringing the South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau into the Foundation.

Ruth Willis:

I’ve enjoyed a wonderful 12 years with the Community Foundation. It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside so many dedicated and talented colleagues, volunteers, donors, chairs and community groups who share my passion for making South Yorkshire a better place to live and work.

Together, we’ve supported countless local projects, created partnerships which have helped to strengthen communities and provided vital funding where it’s needed most. The generosity and resilience of people in South Yorkshire is truly inspiring.

I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved, and I retire knowing SYCF is in a strong position to continue its pivotal role as the cornerstone of community support in South Yorkshire.