Grants & support for London’s charitable sector

We’re aware that recent protests in London have increased tensions and hostility for many communities and charities, including instances of intimidation and racism which are completely unacceptable.

We will continue to support work across the charitable sector in London serving its most diverse communities, addressing inequalities and catalysing change.

If you are in receipt of City Bridge Foundation funding and are facing disruption and would like additional support, please get in touch with your Funding Manager. We will be as flexible as we can in terms of grant management and reporting. Please talk to us if you need to, we’re here to help.

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Hear about the latest open funding opportunities and offers of free support for London’s charitable and social enterprise sector.

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A new initiative from the Mayor of London to promote unity, respect and togetherness across the capital.

Funding of up to £60,000 is available for up to 15 organisations to develop and deliver a programme of work as a Loved and Wanted space. This programme can be made up of new and/​or existing activities. The total available funding is £900,000.

Activities should

• Build relationships among Londoners from different communities and faith backgrounds
• Improve access to the support and services Londoners need to participate fully in community life
• Take place between February 2026 and March 2028

Applicants should be incorporated, community organisations or partnerships/​consortia. Lead applicants must have an annual turnover between £100,000 and £10 million.

Applicants will need to be able to deliver activities within a physical space where Londoners can come together, and be able to operate out of this space until March 2028. They will need to have operated in the same local area for the past five years.

Expressions of Interest should be submitted by Sunday 19 October 2025. 

Learn more and sign up to a webinar at www.london.gov.uk/loved-and-wanted-fund

The Triangle Trust has opened a second funding round for 2025. Grants are available to fund work with young women and girls between the ages of 11 and 30 who are either already caught up in the criminal justice system or are highly vulnerable and likely to enter it.

Projects will need to either be working towards reducing reoffending behaviours or reducing first convictions.

The Trust is particularly interested in funding projects working with young women and girls who are either care-experienced, come from Black or minoritised/​racialised communities, are neurodiverse, excluded from school or vulnerable to being so, are involved with gangs and county lines, and work that is led by people with lived experience.

• Their Main Grants Programme offers between £30,000 and £80,000 for projects that have a duration of one to two years. This is open to organisations where 80% of the total work they do across all projects is with women and girls.
   
• A Small Grants Programme offers funding of £10,000 for grassroots organisations where 100% of the work they do is with women and girls, and where the organisation’s annual income is £50,000 or less.

Applications deadline: Tuesday 21 October 2025.

Find out more: www.triangletrust.org.uk

The Pixel Fund can provide grants to charities involved in the mental health and wellbeing of children and young adults.

Grants are usually for specific projects that will provide a measurable difference to a charity’s users. Funding usually ranges from £2,500 to £5,000. Their trustees have a strong preference for organisations with annual income of under £2m.

Potential applicants will need to attend a Pixel Fund Q&A Drop-in Meeting before applying. Next available date is at 1pm on Wednesday 10 December 2025.

Learn more at www.pixelfund.org.uk

Gilly’s is a family-founded grant-making organisation. Each year they offer grants of up to £5,000 to support small charities working to improve the lives of disadvantaged children, young people, families and adults.

What they can fund:

• Running costs of a new or existing service or programme
• Specific projects designed to provide long-term benefits to significant numbers of individuals

Application deadline: midnight on Sunday, 5 October 2025

See: www.gillianstevensontrustuk.org/apply-for-funding

Jointly funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England, Supporting Grassroots Music is designed to help secure the sustainability of the grassroots music sector.

You can apply to Supporting Grassroots Music for between £1,000 and £40,000, for projects up to three years in length.

The programme currently supports venues, festivals and promoters, recording studios and rehearsal spaces as well as sector bodies operating in grassroots music. It also supports grassroots music sector bodies in their work to develop and support the sector.

Eligible projects support the transition of artists, bands and industry professionals to sustainable careers in music, as well as the development of new audiences and the grassroots music sector as a whole.

Applications can be made by organisations (both registered companies and unincorporated groups), and individuals (working either on their own behalf or as a sole trader).

Applications are accepted on a monthly, rolling basis.

Learn more: www.artscouncil.org.uk/supporting-grassroots-music

The Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme recognises outstanding young people aged 11–25 across London and Essex. It can also offer small grants to the organisations supporting them.

Groups on the scheme get to celebrate the achievements of young people and apply for a package of grants, worth up to £6,400 per year, to support their activities.

Organisations on the scheme nominate young people they would like to celebrate and acknowledge for an Achievement Award. Each award winner then receives a certificate, pin badge and a book from Sir Jack.

They also choose how to spend a £300 grant to benefit their school or organisation. As well as this, organisations on the scheme get to apply for a package of other small grants throughout the year.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Learn more: www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/opportunities

Improving your digital presence can be transformational, but it can be tough to secure funding in this area. The Fat Beehive Foundation exists to change that, offering small grants of up to £2,500 to charities with a turnover of less than £1m.

Their Trustees are particularly keen to support traditionally hard-to-fund organisations, such as those supporting prisoners, refugees, or disadvantaged youth

Funding can a wide range of digital projects, such as building a new website, developing online resources, or improving digital accessibility. These grants are designed to support specific digital projects — not general IT needs.

Funding is awarded twice a year. Next application deadline is Tuesday, 30 September 2025, followed by late March 2026.

Learn more: www.fatbeehivefoundation.org.uk/what-we-fund

The Motability Foundation has a wide range of grants to support organisations which provide services for disabled people, or work to make transport more accessible.

Eight different grants are currently available, ranging from small grants to large grants.

Learn more: www.motabilityfoundation.org.uk/organisation-grants

Two arts-based funds are available, both focused on arts education – a Teacher Development Fund and an Arts-based Learning Fund.

• The Teacher Development Fund can offer up to £165,000 per application, for projects lasting for two academic years. This fund is designed to support teachers to develop arts-based approaches which create equitable classrooms where all children learn and thrive. Deadline: 12 noon on Wednesday, 12 November 2025.
   
• The Arts-based Learning Fund an offer from £30,000 to £300,000 (up to £100,000 per year), for between one and four years. This fund is designed to support arts and cultural organisations to work in partnership with schools and make arts-based learning a core part of education. Deadline: Rolling application cycle

Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s Youth Fund and Migration Fund also remain open, with applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Learn more: www.phf.org.uk/funding

Active Thames is a partnership programme designed to support the development of watersports on the tidal Thames and inland waterways in London, Kent, and Essex.

It is focused on improving access, diversity, and inclusion, while raising awareness of the benefits of physical activity in blue space.

Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that align with one or more of the following objectives:

• Increase diversity in participation: Particularly among under-represented groups.
• Workforce Development: Enhancing the skills and capabilities of coaches, volunteers, and administrative support teams.

Typical award size £5,000. This year the Fund has £100,000 to award. Project delivery must start in spring 2026 and conclude by autumn 2026.

Applications close on 19 October 2025.

Learn more: www.activethames.co.uk/active-thames-fund

The Shift the Scene Fund from Youth Music will fund creative opportunities for Disabled young people, pushing for genuine inclusion, ambition and accessibility.

Through advocacy, creativity, and community, they want organisations to ​‘shift the scene’ and create spaces where Disabled voices lead.

Grants will be made to organisations for work that is sustained over a three to four year period. Opportunities will be funded across all art forms, not just music. The size of grants has yet to be published.

Application guidance and questions will be published on Wednesday 1 October 2025.

Applications will open on Friday, 31 October 2025 with an application deadline of Friday, 28 November 2025.

Learn more and sign up for updates at www.youthmusic.org.uk/excluded-by-design (scroll down).

The Shackleton Foundation provides seed funding (a grant or loan of up to £15,000) and support to early-stage social ventures with a primary focus on benefiting young people in the UK.

They are looking to support individuals, often with lived experience, who display courage, resilience and leadership who have a big bold idea to help young people in the UK. Eligible ideas must:

• Solely benefit young people (0–25)
• Be from NEW organisations (less than one year old)
• Be innovative and fresh
• Fulfil a clear need and demand
• Have a real social impact with well defined outputs and goals
• Have the potential for real growth and sustainability

Successful applicants will receive further assistance with the practical aspects of starting up a social venture.

Application deadline: 5pm on Friday, 31 October 2025

Learn more: www.shackletonfoundation.org

The Chapman Charitable Trust can offer small grants of between £1,000 and £3,000 to support charities which are addressing the root causes of problems, under the three following headings:

• Conserving our natural environment and promoting the sustainable use of resources
• Increasing the accessibility of the arts, especially for young people
• Promoting physical and mental wellbeing

The trustees meet twice a year, in March and September, to consider applications received in the preceding months.

Next deadline for applications is midnight on Saturday, 28 February 2026.

Learn more: www.chapmancharitabletrust.org.uk

The Marsh Charitable Trust focuses on providing funding which could help small registered charities pay for various running costs, such as volunteer expenses, training days, equipment maintenance and other core outgoings.

Grants are unrestricted and range from £300-£2,000. Successful new applicants can expect to receive a grant at the lower end of this scale.

The Trust aims to build long-standing relationships with successful applicants and, subject to an annual review, continue its support over time.

Applications are processed on an on-going basis – there is no deadline.

Learn more: www.marshcharitabletrust.org/grants

Every organisation funded by City Bridge Foundation can apply for free, additional support that goes beyond funding. This is our Funder Plus offer.

For instance, we can provide fee support your organisation’s development and governance, fundraising or business planning.

Eligible funded organisation can benefit from free access to training courses, attendance at conferences, and/​or peer-to-peer learning. Many more support options are available. City Bridge Foundation offers all of this at no financial cost to your organisation.

Learn more at www.citybridgefoundation.org.uk/funder-plus

An intensive and innovative programme, designed to improve the Sustainability, Fundraising Capabilities and Leadership of Black, Asian, Multi-Ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) led charities and social enterprises with an annual income between £0 — £250,000.

Now in its 10th year, the Accelerator Programme is the only one of its kind in the UK. It is worth £3,000 per organisation but is offered for free to qualifying organisations.

Successful applicants will be expected to attend a one-day (9:30am — 4pm) monthly session for eight months, from 28th November 2025 — 12th June 2026.

Application deadline: Sunday 26 October 2025.

Learn more: www.theavocadofoundation.typeform.com/to/wpnkqnGs

Go! London’s new capacity building programme is designed to support grassroots organisations delivering sport and physical activity for young people across London.

The programme includes four in-person sessions over five months, each focused on strengthening your organisation’s impact, sustainability, and growth. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your work, this is a valuable opportunity to learn, collaborate, and connect with peers across the sector.

Three tailored pathways are available — Base, Ascent, and Summit—matched to your organisation’s development stage.

Expert-led sessions will be delivered in person at Bayes Business School’s Finsbury Square campus. There will be opportunities to network and share learning with other grassroots organisations.

Applications will close when the programme reaches maximum capacity. Learn more and register your interest at www.golondon.org.uk

This toolkit from Communities Prepared provides practical information and guidance to help communities better prepare for and respond to future challenges and emergencies.

It is designed for anyone interested in building greater community resilience in their local area. Key features of the toolkit include:

• Identifying local resources and partners.
• Developing relationships with and supporting volunteers.
• Utilising community spaces to support your community.

The toolkit is designed for use by voluntary, community, faith, and neighbourhood groups aiming to enhance their community resilience. It is a practical, usable resource with information, guidance, links, and templates.

With growing challenges, particularly from the climate crisis, it is crucial for communities across London to be better prepared, respond effectively, and recover from future challenges.

Download the toolkit here: www.londonemergenciestrust.org.uk/news

This practical, online session is designed to help voluntary organisations understand lease jargon, negotiate effectively, manage landlord relationships, and avoid common pitfalls such as rent reviews and break clauses.

Participants will also receive an information pack and access to free follow-up advice. This session is part of an ongoing series of free webinars delivered by the Ethical Property Foundation.

Time and date: 12–1pm on Thursday, 30 October 2025

Booking link: www.propertyhelp.org/events

Supported by City Bridge Foundation.

Women’s Enterprise Growth Programme 2026his is a free nine-month support programme for women-led enterprises, offering coaching, networking, and the chance to secure a grant of up to £7,000.

The programme is designed specifically for women and non-binary people aged 18–35 living or working in London or Liverpool. You’ll develop the skills, strengths and networks required to grow purpose-led enterprises and in turn create new jobs for underserved communities.

Run by The School for Social Entrepreneurs, this programme will reopen this autumn.

Learn more and register your interest to hear when this this programme reopens at www.the-sse.org/courses

Free online suicide prevention training to those working with vulnerable people, or anyone who is interested in learning more about suicide prevention

These two-hour training sessions are designed to help reduce the number of suicides occurring in the community. These sessions are open to residents of the City of London, Hackney, Waltham Forest, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Havering, Redbridge, or Barking and Dagenham.

You will gain:

• An increased understanding of the risk factors of suicide
• Improved confidence to support someone who is suicidal
• Practical skills, such as the ability to signpost a suicidal person to local organisations who can give them further support

Upcoming sessions

• 3–5pm on Thursday, 16 October 2025
• 2–4pm on Thursday, 6 November2025
• 2–4pm on Monday, 1 December 2025

Learn more: www.mindchwf.org.uk/services/suicide-prevention

Online peer support sessions for charity leaders to pause, share, and learn.

These free sessions from IVAR (Institute for Voluntary Action Research) combine open peer support with expert-led conversations, tackling the most pressing and recurring charity challenges leaders face.

Two ways to take part

• Open conversations: These flexible conversations offer leaders a chance to talk openly about challenges and connect with peers who understand – all guided by IVAR’s expert facilitators.
   
• Focused sessions: Themed, focused discussions co-facilitated by expert partners, built around topics that charity leaders tell us are most pressing and persistent.

Learn more: www.ivar.org.uk/leading-in-uncertainty

Do you know a legal adviser or advice service in London that deserves a medal?

Now is your chance to give them the recognition they deserve by making a nomination to the inaugural Advice Services Alliance Advising Londoners Awards, organised in partnership with University House Legal Advice Clinic.

Entry is free, with nominations available in eight categories:

1. Best pan-London advice service
2. Best borough-wide advice service
3. Best contribution to advice by a team
4. Best contribution to advice by an individual
5. Best use of innovation by an advice service
6. Best advice service promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
7. Best advice wellbeing project or initiative
8. Best use of evidence in advice work to achieve positive change.

The deadline for entries is midnight on Wednesday, 8 October 2025.

The winner of each category will be announced on the night at the Advising Londoners Award Ceremony on the 18 November 2025. It will be hosted by Clifford Chance LLP at their offices in Canary Wharf.

Learn more: www.asauk.org.uk/advising-londoners-awards

Equipping leaders with the skills and community to scale their impact

Acumen invests in social entrepreneurs and accompanies them on the journey to create transformational change. They aim to identify and prepare these leaders with the hard skills required to build scalable solutions to poverty and the harder skills of moral leadership to re-imagine and build a better world.

Their UK Fellowship is a reflective program that brings together a cohort of individuals with an entrepreneurial mindset and a commitment to solving problems of poverty across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The programme equips them with the tools and community to strengthen their leadership, scale their impact, and create meaningful change.

Fellows remain in their jobs and participate in am eight-month hybrid program consisting of virtual sessions, in-person working, and self-paced learning.

Applications for the next Fellowship close on Friday, 28 October 2025.

Find out more: www.fellowship.acumenacademy.org/uk

This free, half-day virtual event will empower trustees and treasurers to prepare for change and to deliver effective financial governance for small charities.

Programme highlights

• Learn what’s new for small (Tier 1) charities in the Charities SORP 2026.
• Find out about the latest updates impacting charitable companies from Companies House.
• Hear why charitable companies may want to change their structure and how to convert successfully.
• Learn from a funder about how to structure your annual report for success.
• Explore suitable finance systems for small charities with top tips for selection and implementation.
• Stay compliant with top 10 tax tips that every trustee and treasurer should know.

Date and time: 9am-1pm on Wednesday, 1 October 2025.

You can see the full programme, expert speakers and book your place here: www/events.icaew.com/pd/31690

This free, half-day virtual event will empower trustees and treasurers to prepare for change and to deliver effective financial governance for small charities.

Programme highlights

• Learn what’s new for small (Tier 1) charities in the Charities SORP 2026.
• Find out about the latest updates impacting charitable companies from Companies House.
• Hear why charitable companies may want to change their structure and how to convert successfully.
• Learn from a funder about how to structure your annual report for success.
• Explore suitable finance systems for small charities with top tips for selection and implementation.
• Stay compliant with top 10 tax tips that every trustee and treasurer should know.

Date and time: 9am-1pm on Wednesday, 1 October 2025.

You can see the full programme, expert speakers and book your place here: www/events.icaew.com/pd/31690

Hosted by the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, the Awards are a badge of excellence and are the only one of their kind that recognise fundraising best practice in the charity sector.

They provide a platform to showcase the hard work, dedication, passion and innovation of fundraisers. The Awards are free to enter and are open to charities of all sizes and suppliers to the charity sector in the UK.

There are 12 categories to choose from and you can submit nominations in more than one category.

Every shortlisted nominee receives two complimentary tickets to the Awards ceremony on Thursday, 4 June 2026 at the QEII Centre in London.

Nominations close at midnight on Monday, 15 December 2025.

Learn more: www.ciof.org.uk/awards/national-fundraising-awards

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