Offering Rotherham good causes the chance to win up to £20,000 – and how to apply
York Racecourse and Sky Bet have announced the return of the Sky Bet Ebor Community Sweepstake for 2026, offering an incredible opportunity for Yorkshire-based charities, community groups and good causes to secure funding of up to £20,000.
A key feature of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival, which runs from Wednesday 19th to Saturday 22nd August, is the popular sweepstake which invites applications from organisations across the region.
As many as 22 good causes will be shortlisted and each matched with a horse running in the prestigious Sky Bet Ebor Handicap on Saturday 22nd August, with pairings revealed during a televised live draw on Thursday 20th August.
The good cause matched with the winning horse will receive a £20,000 donation to support their work. Second and third place entries will receive £5,000 and £2,000 respectively, while all other shortlisted groups will each receive £1,000 towards their projects or initiatives, ensuring every participant benefits.
Applications are now open and close on 17th July 2026. To enter, organisations are required to complete a simple online form outlining their community efforts and how they would use the funding should their horse win.
The impact of the initiative is already clear. In 2025, East Riding-based M.A.S.H (Military Assistance Social Hub), which creates safe and welcoming spaces for the Armed Forces community, secured the £20,000 top prize following the success of Ethical Diamond. The funding has since enabled the charity to establish its roots by opening a new office space.
Reflecting on the win, Chairman Craig Leach said: “Going into the day, we genuinely thought that if we were fortunate enough to win £1,000, it would make a real difference.
To then be announced as the winner of £20,000 was completely beyond anything we could have imagined. That funding has had a transformational impact over the past year. Winning has placed us in a position where we are now able to grow and expand in ways we simply did not think were possible
James Brennan, Head of Marketing and Sponsorship at York Racecourse, added: “We are hugely proud of how the Community Sweepstake spotlights grassroots organisations across Yorkshire and supports them in their amazing work. With a new round of causes to be nominated, it’s sure to provide an emotional postscript to the racing action.”
Michael Shinners, Head of Sports PR at Sky Betting & Gaming, commented: “The Community Sweepstake has become a key part of the Ebor Festival, bringing vital funding and awareness to outstanding Yorkshire charities. Every donation has a lasting impact, and we’re excited to learn more about the 2026 applicants.”
Enter now
To submit an entry, complete the online form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzh7aqjhPoYDNJ_GNHP4HtrgHVWtLhGzOvjvw0qaVwsB-1sQ/viewform
To comply with Sky Bet’s responsible gambling policies, applications from organisations working exclusively with individuals under 18-years-old will not be eligible.
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