London is renowned for its culture, heritage, diversity, resilience, wealth – and, above all, its people. The capital is rich in a history that continues to shape the lives of all Londoners.
Over the next five years, City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporations charitable funder, will change thousands of lives across the capital through a new £100m charity pot.
The Trust, Londons largest independent grant maker, has just announced its new charity funding scheme, called “Bridging Divides”, detailing how it plans to reduce inequality across London.
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Refugees, victims of human trafficking, and survivors of domestic abuse are among thousands of Londoners who will benefit from the fund.
Research from City Bridge Trust has revealed that many in the capital are facing widespread inequality, poverty and disadvantage.
In response, its new funding programme will see £100m distributed to charities in the capital to help Londoners most in need – and to help communities thrive and reduce inequality.
City Bridge Trust asked Londoners, charity and community groups, the public and private sector, funders, and policymakers for their views on the health of the charity sector.
It commissioned research, facilitated focus groups, and ran an online survey to add to the strong evidence base from which this strategy has been devised.
Responses described the charity industry “in crisis” and “at tipping point”, with reductions in state funding and spiralling living costs for London contributing to a surge in demand for services for the capitals disadvantaged and marginalised communities.
Alongside these challenges, the Trust has observed increased competition within the charity sector, falling levels of public trust in civil society, and increased scrutiny of the role charities play.
We acknowledge that significant challenges lie ahead, with Brexit creating a climate of uncertainty for many charities and communities.
In response, City Bridge Trust will be taking a more flexible funding approach, offering grants of different sizes and durations, targeted social investment, and match funding.
Areas of priority for Bridging Divides include helping people experiencing food poverty, backing for environmental projects, boosting integration support services for migrants and refugees, and providing funding for people experiencing mental health difficulties.
In the next five years, it will transform the lives of thousands of Londoners most in need.
The charity funder supports around 500 organisations at any one time, giving a voice to people who are underrepresented, offering independence to those who are held back, and cutting the inequality which in todays age should not exist in the capital.
Working closely with charities, we can stay alert to the changing needs of Londoners, strengthen our communities, and make the entirety of our great city a fairer place to work and live.
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