£14m long-term funding boost for charities fighting inequality

City Bridge Foundation has awarded the first 13 grants from its Anchor Programme, which provides long-term core funding for equity-led infrastructure organisations tackling societal inequality.

They include funding for organisations working with Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, LGBTQIA+ communities and organisations supporting Deaf and disabled people.

The programme, co-designed with civil society organisations, is believed to be unique among funders and offers grants for up to 10 years – twice as long as the maximum usually offered by City Bridge Foundation.

“As far as we know, no other funder offers this kind of core funding for up to 10 years, which gives recipients the time and space they need to collaborate, take risks and create systemic change.

“It reduces the need for constant fundraising, means charities can address the causes rather than just the symptoms of inequality, and allows more capacity for long-term projects which can deliver truly meaningful results.”

Grants awarded include £1,491,000 to Action for Race Equality to enable it to continue to support the BME voluntary sector.

Jeremy Crook OBE, Chief Executive for Action for Race Equality, said:

“I want to thank City Bridge Foundation for awarding ARE this significant and transformational grant. It allows us to support our core team, influence policy makers and strengthen Black and Asian led civil society organisations which play a key role in supporting people who face socio-economic disadvantage and systemic barriers.

“The foundation’s support is a massive boost for ARE and shows confidence in our approach, expertise and commitment, and we look forward to making a positive impact over the next decade. A key component in tackling poverty and racial disadvantage is the presence of a sustainable and vibrant ethnically diverse civil society sector.

“We can now confidently plan in line with our strategy and to continue to challenge and support the change we need to make, so London is fair, equitable and inclusive. Working closely with the foundation and other partners, we hope to set a precedent for other funders and investors to follow.”

Expressions of interest for the second round of grants from the Anchor Programme are due to open in 2024. More information is at www.citybridgefoundation.org.uk/funding/the-anchor-programme

Organisations awarded funding from the Anchor Programme

- £1,491,000 over 10 years to Action for Race Equality for salaries, consultant fees, evaluation and overhead costs to enable it to continue to support the BME voluntary sector

- £1.5 million over 10 years to Alliance for Inclusive Education to strengthen its ability to challenge systemic barriers to inclusive education, and to support disabled-led charities

- £1,408,400 over 10 years to Consortium LGBT to support key strategic roles for the development of LGBT+ sector organisations

- £979,370 over seven years to the End Violence Against Women Coalition for core costs in its work to end violence against women and girls

- £993,700 over eight years to Galop to support its policy and research team to undertake a mapping study of LGBT+ specialist support services

- £999,200 over 10 years to the HEAR Equality and Human Rights Network for its core work providing a collective and inclusive voice for equality, social justice and human rights

- £1,202,900 over 10 years to Imkaan to support its core functions through policy research and advocacy in the violence against black and minoritised women and girls sector

- £979,500 over seven years to Inclusion Barnet to support its work challenging systemic barriers which negatively impact disabled people and other marginalised groups in Barnet

- £1,283,370 over 10 years to The Interlink Foundation to support its core functions through policy, research and community voice to address systemic barriers to the orthodox Jewish community accessing key services

- £591,300 over seven years to the Migrants Rights Network for core funding for its work towards greater justice and equity for migrants and refugees

- £925,000 over 10 years to the Muslim Charities Forum for the development and launching of a strengthened governance support framework, including a governance support lead

- £543,400 over eight years to Southall Community Alliance for core costs enabling it to support global majority voluntary sector groups and to challenge systemic barriers in Southall

- £1,003,000 over seven years to Spectra CIC for core funding to build capacity among charities supporting trans communities and sex workers

Total funding awarded in round one of the Anchor Programme: £13,900,140