Member Article

Sheffield charity thanks supporters with High Sheriff Luncheon and launches new look

One of the region’s leading charities, South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF), is celebrating another successful year having distributed over £1.1 million to community groups and individuals and the organisation is welcoming over 100 guests to a special High Sheriff Luncheon to thank them for their support.

Held on Friday 16 October at Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield, the event was hosted by the High Sheriff of South Yorkshire and the Trustees of SYCF. As well as an address by guest speaker Andrew Coombe, Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire and president of SYCF, the lunch also saw the launch of the charity’s new look.

The new identity has been designed to increase awareness of the charity with a more modern and memorable image and a focus on the positive impact of community giving.

The event was sponsored by Grant Thornton, Investec, Yorkshire Bank, Key Fund and Brewster Pratap.

“Since being established in 1986, South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation has inspired community giving and supported local communities as they tackle important social issues,” explains Ruth Willis, CEO of SYCF. “As we approach our 30th anniversary next year, we are celebrating the real impact and social change made possible through community giving and community grants. Our achievements include an endowment fund of over £10,000,000; more than £25 million given out in awards; and 7,339 grants given out with an average grant size of £3,418.

“In order to continue this valuable work, we rely on the support of local businesses and Grant Thornton has always been there for us. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them along with all of our donors, charity partners, SY100 Club members, sponsors and supporters for their ongoing commitment to SYCF.”

Suzy Harris-Milnes, senior tax manager at Grant Thornton in Sheffield, comments: “Like SYCF, Grant Thornton has been in the Sheffield City Region for many years and is committed to making it a better place in which to live and work.

“We’ve enjoyed a long relationship with SYCF, from sponsoring events such as this to using our expertise and contacts to set up a panel of professional advisers to support the charity’s work with local philanthropists. It’s fantastic to see the charity continuing to move forward with its dynamic new re-launch and also to see so many other organisations in the region lending their support and helping SYCF to have a positive impact on the lives of local people. We are proud to continue our support of such a valuable charity.”

South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation raises funds from businesses, philanthropists, trusts and statutory bodies and uses these funds to meet the needs of local people facing economic hardship and other barriers to aspiration, so improving lives in local communities.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Kilmurray .