Charities transforming East Riding communities offered free fundraising support

Local charities and groups are being given a unique chance to access free training and support to bolster their fundraising skills and knowledge as they continue to help others across the East Riding.

She Productions

HEY Smile Foundation has teamed up with Fundraising Everywhere, an online training tool which provides professional development, peer support and networking for fundraisers and future charity leaders.

Funded by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, any charity or group which can demonstrate it has a positive impact on East Riding communities can apply for one of the 100 licenses available to enable its volunteers or staff to expand their fundraising knowledge.

The licenses will give fundraisers access to Fundraising Everywhere’s courses, events and a resource library, as well as information about latest sector trends, giving them increased clarity, confidence and connections to achieve success.

HEY Smile Foundation is also planning informative webinars for those involved in the training to help further expand participants’ knowledge and skills in a range of key fundraising areas and beyond.

Nick Middleton, Head of Community Development at HEY Smile Foundation, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for charities and groups making a difference across the East Riding to broaden their fundraising horizons and really make the most of this fantastic online training tool.

“Fundraisers dedicate their careers to good causes, but often without access to formal training or support. We know they already have a wealth of experience, but this is a chance to build on that and gain even more knowledge to help their groups and charities grow.

“We know every penny counts and we’re delighted to open up this door to maximise the efforts of those involved, especially online.

“It has been a challenging time for everyone and we’re grateful to East Riding of Yorkshire Council for providing this incredible opportunity to help charities and groups move forward positively.”

East Riding theatre company She Productions, which is dedicated to educating, collaborating, empowering communities and ensuring women are heard, is among the charities which will benefit from one of the Fundraising Everywhere licenses.

Ellie Claughton, Chair of She Productions, which is based at East Riding Theatre, said: “Having access to a resource like Fundraising Everywhere is such a gift for a small charity like She Productions.

“Fundraising is vital to developing our work and the more tools the team have to support them with this the better.

“Securing arts funding can be tricky at the best of times, so we’re hugely grateful to Smile for including us in this support.”

Any charity or group applying for the Fundraising Everywhere licenses must be registered with dedicated online grant management tool Beecan and complete and an online evaluation survey twice a year. Visit beecan.org to register.

An expression of interest form for a license can be found here.

For more information, please email hive@heysmilefoundation.org