Two Ridings Community Foundation
Since 2000 we have made thousands of grants totalling over £18 million to local charities and community groups helping them support local people. Our vision is a connected and thriving region for all.
Overview
Total reviews: 2
Median 11 hours
Latest Reviews
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Jul 15, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
Two ridings have always been a very good funder, very quick to react and pay the funds. No complicated forms.
However my recent experience has been disappointing with the small grant fund taking months to make the payment into my account,
Pros
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
They make the process easy and don't ask for lots of quotes, which are very difficult to get.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
I think they need to look at their processes as they seem to have had problems recently replying to requests and making payments.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from Two Ridings Community Foundation
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback, we are sorry to hear that the payment process was slow this time, we have recently made some changes which have presented some teething problems but hopefully things are improving now and will speed the process up considerably.
Jul 15, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
It’s worth having a chat with a member of TRCF staff before applying to check you are on on the right lines. The application questions are very thorough but fair. Read the guidelines carefully.
Pros
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
The staff are very helpful
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
To let me know when we’re not successful before I find out from other sources or before I have to chase up.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from Two Ridings Community Foundation
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback, we will look into processes around advising groups of outcomes and see what improvements can be made here.
Jul 14, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
Read the eligibility carefully and make sure answers clearly correlate.
They are extremely approachable as funders so get in touch with ideas or questions first.
Pros
Gives more than money
Risk taker
Friendly
Builds relationships
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
I love that volunteer assessors call to talk through the application. It is so helpful to have the opportunity to elaborate on certain sections or make clarifications about sections which may risk being misunderstood. You feel your application is being considered to its fullest.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from Two Ridings Community Foundation
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback, great to hear that you appreciated the assessment process. Our volunteers love to chat to groups and this process helps to bring the application to life and make sure that we fully understand the funding request.
Jul 14, 2021
applied in 2019
The concept is great, sadly we felt that this may have been misleading, because it suggested and was intended, from our understanding, to be for community groups to draw down funding for projects which would benefit their community and could be delivered with funding partners. However we did not understand that we couldn’t apply if we wouldn’t physically be delivering the project. It became abundantly clear from a phone call with a staff member, once we’d submitted the application, that we were not going to fulfil those criteria, but not until after we had spent many hours gathering data and info for the application and filling it in.
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Applied and not funded
If you were funded tell us the outcome
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Average
We are not sure. If the criteria are as rigid as we eventually found them to be, perhaps not as successful as they could otherwise be.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
I don’t know of an example, sorry.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Please speak to those who intend to apply, before they apply. It may save a lot of wasted time and disappointment.
Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?
Not possible to comment on this one.
Reply from Two Ridings Community Foundation
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry that your application was not successful on this occasion. If you do wish to make an application in future, we would be very happy to chat it through with you to ensure that the request meets the relevant criteria and priorities.
Jul 14, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
They're approachable, responsive and helpful. Give clear advice and guidance on both eligibility and completing the application
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Culturally sensitive
Insightful
Friendly
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
I'm not really sure what it's goals are as I don't read their annual report etc. All I can say is that they have funded us several times (and have rejected us a couple of time), and they seem fair and keen to support good work
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Helps you when you have a question about an application or an existing grant
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
To re-gain pre-civid levels of accessibility
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Very good
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from Two Ridings Community Foundation
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback, we are pleased that you have found staff approachable and advice helpful. Without a doubt the last year has presented some huge challenges and we hope that the introduction of our new small grants scheme represents a move back towards pre-covid accessibility.