Hey Smile Foundation

HEY Smile Foundation, founded in 2008 by Jim Dick OBE, is a Yorkshire-based infrastructure charity dedicated to strengthening the voluntary sector in Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire. It empowers local charities, people, and communities to address social inequalities and build resilience through grants, capacity building, governance support, funding advice, and partnerships. Rooted in values of collaboration, generosity, learning, and long-term change, it amplifies seldom-heard voices, fosters innovation, and drives sustainable impact via programmes like the Smile Trustee Network, Trustee Academy, and Beecan funding platform.

The foundation funds health and wellbeing (e.g., social prescribing with NHS partners), community development, digital inclusion, skills/education, volunteering, finance support, and employment initiatives. Beneficiaries include children, young people, older adults, disabled individuals, grassroots charities, and marginalised groups. Supported activities encompass project grants, core/running costs, training, equipment, volunteer expenses, events, and leadership development, prioritising small organisations tackling inequalities and organisational resilience.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and constituted community groups based in Hull or East Riding of Yorkshire, with a preference for those under £1m income, holding bank accounts and safeguarding policies. No religious restrictions apply.

Grants range from £500–£10,000 (typically £1,000–£2,000), via the Beecan portal with rolling applications for schemes like Health in Our Community; competitive rounds (e.g., I Am Fund) have February, June, and October deadlines, next on 30 September 2025. Contact the Hive team pre-application. It rarely funds capital projects or major unrestricted grants, standing out as a dual funder-enabler with deep local expertise, risk-tolerant innovation, and focus on systems change over short-term relief.