Working to reduce inequality and grow stronger, more resilient and thriving communities across Greater London
We are London’s largest independent charitable funder, and our vision is for London to be a city where all individuals and communities can thrive, especially those experiencing disadvantage and marginalisation.
Our mission is to reduce inequality and grow more cohesive communities for a London that serves everyone.
Once the charity has met its responsibilities of managing and protecting the five bridges, we are able to distribute the surplus income for charitable purposes benefiting the people of Greater London.
We award over £30 million a year to charities across London, and can support over 1,000 organisations at any one time.
Our grant making is guided by our funding strategy for 2018–2028, Bridging Divides. This strategy provides the vision and strategic direction for us as a charitable funder. We are committed to using our funding, knowledge, networks and assets to support Londoners and London’s communities who are experiencing disadvantage and marginalisation to thrive.
In March 2024, we began the process of developing a new 10-year funding policy to replace the Bridging Divides strategy. Our aim is to ensure our funding is targeted where it has the greatest impact.
In October 2024, having committed exceptional levels of funding to London’s charitable sector until 2026, City Bridge Foundation closed all rolling grants programmes to new applications for one year.
A new funding strategy will be launched in autumn 2025.
In addition to our traditional grant making, we collaborate, fund and support larger organisations with the joint ambition of strengthening the sector. This includes collaborative funding programmes, research, feasibility studies and conferences, and are often undertaken in partnership with other bodies and organisations.
We publish details of grants awarded and organisations funded by City Bridge Foundation.
We provide accessible, long-term, and flexible finance for social change. We invest in a diverse range of organisations which tackle disadvantage and marginalisation across London.
Our trustee, the City of London Corporation, has a strong track record of charitable giving over many centuries. Together, we reach far beyond the Square Mile’s boundaries and across the private, public and charitable community sectors.
The Central Funding and Charity Management Team are responsible for managing the grant-making within the City Corporation and work closely with our funding team, ensuring together we practise philanthropic excellence.
The Central Grants Programme has three funding areas:
