Funding Change

We approach the topic of money with intention. Whether we're using it, talking about it, or thinking about it, we do so with the full recognition of the power and privilege it grants. We are most interested in participatory forms of grant-making and wealth redistribution, and our focus is hyperlocal.

By this, we mean that we want people who live in York to be the ones deciding how money is spent. Above all, we want to make sure that those with voices that are often marginalised and ignored get a say in where our money goes.

As a collective, we are committed to spending and investing locally, adding to the local economy and bolstering small businesses.

STEW events

STEW

For the past few years, we've been running regular STEW events in York.

Inspired by Detroit's SOUP model, STEW gives local grassroots groups the chance to pitch for funding - but it's more than that. The event brings people together for a cosy evening of good food and community vibes, and lets them decide how money should be spent in their local area.

How does the event work?

Eat - Attendees are invited to pull up a chair, settle in and enjoy some hearty stew.

Listen - The audience then listens to three people from across the city who will each have just four minutes (!) to pitch their community grassroots project idea in front of the audience.

Vote - Each person in the room decides which project will benefit York the most, and who should win the majority of funding.

Runners-up never walk away empty-handed and receive at least £100.

See upcoming STEWS

Who we will fund

Who

To get funding from York Together you can be:

An individual
Grassroots group

You must be working towards on or more of the following:

A more Fair York
A more Just York
A more Sustainable York.

If you are applying on behalf of a grassroots group, that group must:

Have an income of under £20,000.
Be working in York.

We will prioritise:

Groups led by people with experiences of the injustices that they are fighting.
Those that are excluded from other sources of funding such as unincorporated groups, those without a bank account, or those that are fiscally hosted.
Those who can talk about how they include people who face discrimination and marginalisation in their work including: disabled people, people of colour, neurodivergent people, women, people who are LGBTQ+, and travellers and gypsies.

We will not fund:

Projects or groups that are outside of York.
Groups with income over £20,000.

Barriers

Many funders require grantees to have a registered bank account, annual records and audited financial information. If groups that cannot demonstrate this (despite doing effective work) they are deemed unfit to apply for funding.

Barriers to change

Most funding frameworks (whether national or local) often prioritise proven track records and organisational history over innovation and emerging ideas. As a result, it's almost impossible for grassroots groups to become visible to potential funders, and they are left unsupported.

York Together believes that a lack of access to funding for informal collectives, community organisers, and activists is a key barrier to change. We want to play a role in breaking this barrier down.

The reasons why it is hard for grassroots groups and individual organisers and activists to access funding are many. We could write a whole article on this (we keep meaning to!).

In short, traditional funders tend to prioritise registered charities that have a history of delivering projects and services. This is because Charities are regulated by the Charity Commission which makes funders feel that there is a check and balance system in place to ensure that charities are not misusing their money and are doing good work.

A short (and incomplete) list of reasons why informal groups might be excluded from receiving grants:

1) Formal financial infrastructure

2) Specialist expertise and time constraints

Grassroots groups and new start-ups often have no previous background in applying for funding, and usually don't have a paid workforce to dedicate time to learning what makes an application successful.

By way of their design, funding processes require applicants to have years of experience in applying.

For instance, applications often ask the writer to show confidence with the use of formal language and funding jargon. Even for smaller pots of funding, there's an expectation that applicants will understand how fund budgeting and reporting work. This is an unrealistic and inaccessible ask for those people who are working on the ground and dedicating their time voluntarily to a cause.

Through our work with groups in the York area, we have found that many groups are discouraged from applying for funding, even before beginning the process. Applications can be intimidating, complex, and time-consuming, something that is often beyond the capacity of smaller groups.