Head of South Yorkshire's biggest community group steps down

Ruth Willis is stepping down as CEO of South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF) having been at the helm since 2013.

SYCF supports thousands of community groups throughout Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster and Sheffield with grant funding and training to improve the lives of local people and make a positive difference.

Ruth has been responsible for expanding SYCF - bringing South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau into the organisation ensuring it continues to provide its valuable local and national funding training programme.

She also introduced Vital Signs – a major research project undertaken by SYCF every three years providing the opportunity for members of the public to have a say on their local area linked to ten key themes.

Other highlights include raising £1.3m to support communities affected by the 2019 floods, the launch of a Philanthropy Match Challenge in conjunction with the Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation, which raised £1m, and partnering with two Community Foundation Donors to establish the innovative South Yorkshire Charity Mentors programme.

Ruth said: “I’m extremely proud of the work we have delivered over the last decade to transform South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation into the incredible charity it is today.”

Professor Chris Booth-Mayblin, chair of SYCF, said: “Under Ruth’s leadership, we have significantly expanded our grant giving programmes enabling us to make an even bigger positive impact on the local community, improving the lives of people in South Yorkshire. She has been pivotal to the Foundation’s success and will be a hard act to follow.”

SYCF will now begin the process of recruiting for a new CEO.