Grants & support for London’s charitable sector

Standing with Londoners

City Bridge Foundation has a new ten-year funding policy, called Standing with Londoners. We aim to launch the first of our new funding programmes in autumn 2025.

Learn more: Standing with Londoners

Racial equity programme

This programme is for small local charities and CICs which are led by and working with people who are experiencing economic inequity because of their race or ethnicity.

Under this programme Lloyds Bank Foundation will support charities to strengthen their capacity and capabilities and become more resilient through a range of tailored development support offers alongside a three-year unrestricted grant of £75,000.

They will be holding a live webinar on Thursday, 3 April 2025 to talk through the programme. The closing date for applications is 5pm on Thursday, 29 May 2025.

Learn more: www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/funding/racial-equity-programme

New funding for legal action that addresses racial injustice in the criminal justice system

The Baring Foundation has launched a new round of funding for organisations undertaking legal action to address racial injustice in the criminal justice system.

They are seeking to fund activity which uses the law to:

• clarify or challenge legislation which disproportionately criminalises racialised people;
• address the harms caused by police in schools; and
• address the clampdown on activism in relation to issues of racial injustice (addressing the criminalisation of free speech and protest).

Grants of up to £50,000 for up to 18 months or up to £90,000 over three years are available. To be eligible, applicants need to be an anti-racist organisation or have a demonstrable history of working on anti-racism, and have an income of under £1m a year.

There is a two-stage application process for this funding. The first stage is a telephone call to discuss the suitability and eligibility of your work. Deadline for arranging a call is Friday, 30 May 2025.

Learn more: www.baringfoundation.org.uk/news-story

Local collaborations programme

This programme from Lloyds Bank Foundation will support collaborations led by small charities seeking to influence and achieve local or regional change around improving the social security system, improving access to suitable accommodation, and support for asylum seekers and refugees.

Collaborations can apply for grants of £100,000 over two years. Collaborations will have the opportunity to extend by a further year and additional £50,000.

This funding cannot be used to fund direct delivery of services and is exclusively to support partnerships to influence locally and regionally. Expressions of Interest should be submitted by Wednesday, 30 April 2025.

Learn more: www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/funding/local-collaborations-programme

Pathways Academy

Pathways Academy is the Centre for Accessible Environment’s award-winning training programme created in 2020 to give disabled people in London the confidence, skills and support needed to kick start a career in inclusive design and access.

The free, part-time training programme equips disabled people based in London with the confidence, skills, and technical knowledge needed to kick-start a career in inclusive design and accessibility. Trainees will receive 22 days of training over nine months. Topics include:

• Principles of inclusive design
• Access auditing
• Website accessibility
• Design & neurodiversity
• Accessible housing — and more

The next course starts in September 2025. Applications close on Sunday, 29 June 2025.

Learn more: www.cae.org.uk/pathways-academy

This free training course is fully funded by City Bridge Foundation.

Women and Girls Match Fund from Big Give

A seven-day online match funding campaign working with charities dedicated to serving the women and girls, fostering a future where every individual can thrive without limitations.

Women and Girls charities can apply to Big Give to have their application assessed. Successful charities are awarded a sum of match funding which is ring-fenced for their organisation. This match funding is unlocked by public donations given through Big Give’s online fundraising platform during the campaign.

Last year, £21m was raised to support 189 women and girl’s charities. The campaign will run from 8–15 October 2025. Apply by Friday, 30 May 2025.

Learn more: www.biggive.org/women-girls-match-fund

Go! London Young Entrepreneurs Start-Up Programme

Support and funding for young people who are passionate about sport, getting people active, and who want to make a positive impact in their communities.

This start-up programme is aimed at young people aged 16–24 who have a passion for sport, business, and innovation. The programme will give them the funding and support to take their ideas from the programme’s group chat to the real world.

• Up to £15,000 in grant funding is available to help kickstart new businesses
• Expert mentorship to turn ideas into solid business plans
• Access to a network of funders, peers, and industry leaders
• Training on how to pitch and secure funding for these businesses

Applications close on Thursday, 8 May 2025.

See: www.the-sse.org/courses/go-london-young-entrepreneurs

Small grants to preserve or enhance public open spaces and gardens

The Metropolitan Public Gardens Association offers grants of up to £1,500 for community and neighbourhood groups and organisations in London, to create better and greener public spaces.

Grants can typically help to transform local spaces by providing trees, benches, planting etc, which in turn aids biodiversity and helps the wellbeing of residents and visitors alike.

Grants can be awarded to organisations, amenity groups and friends groups which maintain and improve public open spaces. Applications should only relate to greenspaces which are open to the public, or where there is public access.

Applications are considered on a quarterly basis. The next deadline is the end of May 2025.

Learn more: www.mpga.org.uk/grants

SYP Trust offers small grants to organisations working with young people (typically ages 11–18) in Greater London.

They will consider work that improves the lives of young people through one or more of the following:

• access to learning and employment
• living a healthy, active life (focusing on mental health)
• giving a voice to their situation and a say in the decisions that impact their lives

Grants are typically unrestricted and valued between £5k-£10k. The Trust has a preference for applicant organisations to have an income of less than £400,000 per year.

The two-stage application process starts with a short (up to 500 words) description of how the outcomes of your work will align with SYP Trust’s focus areas.

Deadlines for stage one applications in 2025 are Monday, 31 March and Monday, 29 September.

Find out more: www.shaftesburyyoungpeople.org/our-funding-priorities

Grant funding and social investment for Black-led and Global Majority-led charities and social enterprises

The Big Business Round 1 with Pathway Fund, from Do it Now Now, offers a unique combination of grant funding and social investment to help organisations addressing critical challenges in their communities, particularly in the areas of poverty alleviation and racial equity.

The programme offers:

• Grant Funding: Eligible organisations can secure between £25,000 and £40,000 to enhance financial resilience and scale operations
  
• Social Investment: Access loans matched with grants in a 1:2 ratio, enabling funding of up to £80,000
  
• Comprehensive Support: Receive tailored guidance, capacity-building resources, and ongoing mentorship to ensure success

Eligible organisations must have an annual income between £150k and £1m. Applications opened on 14 January 2025 and will remain open until all funding is committed.

For more information see www.doitnownow.com

Small grants to run events or activities this September

The Mayor’s Community Weekend returns to London in 2025, from Friday, 12 September to Sunday, 14 September 2025.

This is a chance for the communities of London to come together and celebrate the capital. The National Lottery Community Fund is working with the Mayor of London to offer funding to help you do this.

Grants of between £500 and £2,000 are available to run activities such as street parties, picnics, cultural events, litter picks and more. Events must take place over the Mayor’s Community Weekend.

Funding opens to applications at 10am on Wednesday, 9 April 2025. Application deadline is midday on Wednesday 30 April 2025.

Find out more: www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding

Partnership opportunities with Impetus: improving school attainment and supporting young people into employment

Impetus is looking for three partner organisations to each receive £100k in core, unrestricted funding for an initial period of one year.

• One partner will be funded to improve attainment outcomes for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
  
• Two partners will be funded to support young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) into employment through skills

Apply by Thursday, 17 April 2025.

Learn more: www.impetus.org.uk/funding-opportunities

Small grants to support the education and development of children and young people

BlueSpark provides funding for projects which aim to improve the education and development of children and young people by means of educational, cultural, sporting or other activities.

Funding is for relatively small-scale projects which might not happen at all or would only happen on a smaller scale without BlueSpark’s support

Grants are typcally under £2000 and none are more than £5000. Supported age range is 5–22.

Applications are assessed roughly every eight weeks.

Learn more: www.bluesparkfoundation.org.uk

Our Funder Plus offer for funded organisations

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

Are you a social entrepreneur looking to scale your business and impact?

The Hatch Enterprise Accelerator, in partnership with City Bridge Foundation, offers a personalised 4.5 month programme with expert masterclasses, peer learning, dedicated 1‑to‑1 mentoring and the opportunity to apply for competitive grants of up to £5,000.

You help shape the content based on your specific growth needs. With just 15–20 founders per cohort, you’ll receive truly tailored support through weekly expert sessions and group workshops. Criteria:

• You’ll have a turnover of roughly £40K+
• Ready to move from working in their business (managing day-to-day operations) to working on your business—focusing on strategy, long-term vision, and growth.
• You’re aiming to generate employment within the next twelve months.
• You’re looking to grow your network and be part of an engaged cohort of other, local social entrepreneurs operating in London.

The programme will run weekly, providing valuable, focused support without overwhelming your calendar. Apply by Sunday, 13 April 2025.

Learn more: www.hatchenterprise.org/our-programmes

Living Wage Champion Awards 2025

There’s still time to apply for the Living Wage Champion Awards 2025, but the deadline is coming up fast.

Each year, Living Wage UK celebrate the individuals and organisations that go above and beyond to champion the real Living Wage, Living Hours, and Living Pension. If you or someone you know has made a real impact, now is the time to put them forward.

Applications close at midnight on Monday, 31 March 2025.

Find out more and apply today: www.livingwage.org.uk/living-wage-champion-awards-2025

Register your interest for free AI training

Media Trust are launching a free AI training programme for UK-based charities and creative talent from under-represented backgrounds.

The training will focus on using AI to enhance creativity, improve accessibility, tackle inequality, and support long-term impact.

The programme isn’t yet open for applications, but you can sign up for updates here: www.mediatrust.org/register-interest-free-ai-training

Voices of Inclusion: Experiences, Insights, and Action for the Workplace

Delivered by Passion4Social and Joy Lewis from AAI EmployAbility, this free online event focuses on sharing experiences, insights, and actionable strategies for fostering inclusive workplaces.

The event will bring together diverse perspectives to explore practical steps for creating equitable and supportive work environments and drive meaningful change.

This webinar is designed for HR professionals, DEI advocates, business leaders, and anyone passionate about fostering workplace inclusion.

When: 12–1.30pm on Wednesday, 2 April 2025.

See: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/voices-of-inclusion-experiences-insights

Leadership development programme

On Purpose London’s Associate Programme is a year-long leadership programme that pays people to develop as leaders of transformational change.

The programme brings together two six-month purpose-driven and paid work placements in a wide range of organisations, alongside a weekly half-day of training, fortnightly mentoring, and quarterly coaching.

The work placements are on purpose-driven projects where placements are expected to quickly make a difference. Placement hosts are social enterprises, social divisions of for-profit companies or commercially-minded charities.

This is a salaried placement, paying just over £27k for the year. To be eligible, applicants must have a minimum of equivalent to three years of full-time professional work experience, and have fluency in English.

Learn more: www.onpurpose.org/en/associate-programme

Managing access and inclusion

Monthly training sessions providing advice on making premises more accessible and services more inclusive for everyone, including disabled people.

This free training from Access and Sustainability Advice Service is for charities and not for profit community groups within Greater London. The sessions cover the following topics:

• Principles of inclusive design
• Understanding different access needs and how to make your buildings and services more inclusive.
• Equality Act and legislation
• Access guide, access audit & design appraisal
• Support and resources for London based charities

This session is interactive and discussion and networking is encouraged between participants.

The next monthly session is an in-person event at the Centre for Accessible Environments at 240 City Rd, London EC1V 3TJ. Date: 10am-12pm on Wednesday, 23 April 2025.

Learn more: www.cae.org.uk/asas/managing-accessibility

Everyday premises management for charity purposes

A free property webinar from the Ethical Property Foundation. This Zoom webinar will help you:

• Identify your property needs to make informed decisions that keep your team, volunteers, and beneficiaries safe.
• Recognise key risks in property management and learn how to handle them effectively.
• Explore ways to cut costs and even generate income from your space.
• Gain practical insights into maintaining your property efficiently.
• Discover steps to create a more environmentally friendly workplace.
• Understand the essentials of safely managing tenants.

The webinar takes place between 12–1pm on Thursday, 10 April 2025.

Find out more: www.propertyhelp.org/events

Paid opportunity for small charities and people with lived experience to join focus groups

NPC and partners have received funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to amplify the voices of those most impacted by climate change. Often unheard in national and local debates, this project aims to change that.

NPC are running two focus groups to hear your thoughts:

• Wednesday, 2 April, 6–8pm – for Disabled people, people from ethnic minority communities, and people facing financial insecurity
• Tuesday, 8 April, 12–2pm: For grassroots organisations and charities supporting these communities.

NPC are offering a voucher of £40 to cover time attending either session. They also have a survey which can be completed before Monday, 14 April 2025.

Learn more: www.thinknpc.org/blog/we-want-to-hear-from-you‑2

Good Finance Live: Building knowledge and partnerships for social investment

Good Finance Live is a one day, hybrid event taking place on 29 April 2025 in Friends House, Euston, London.

This is an opportunity for charity and social enterprise leaders who are actively seeking social investment to make valuable connections and delve into what repayable finance really entails.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Hear directly from peers who’ve been through the process of social investment
• Ask questions and take part in discussions around social investment and the practical considerations of repayable finance
• Connect with social investors and peers, building valuable relationships to support your organisation’s development
• Meet with a range of social investors in a dedicated networking area, with the opportunity to schedule 1:1 meetings (in person attendees only)

‘In person’ places are prioritised for organisations who:

• Have a demonstrated income stream
• Understand what their organisation requires social investment for, and the impact they are looking to make
• Know approximately how much money they need to borrow, and how this would be paid back
• Are looking to access social investment in 2025

Online places are open to anyone who wants to better understand the role of social investment and practical considerations when exploring repayable finance.

Learn more: www.goodfinance.org.uk/latest/post/good-finance

Informal sessions to discuss your ideas with social investors

Three UK social investors have come together to host Office Hours, offering a space to meet social investors and bounce ideas on their social investment and fundraising plans, in a friendly/judgement-free environment.

It’s an opportunity for organisations to share their plans and to ask questions to help inform any social investment ambitions you might have now or in the future.

Sometimes organisations feel pressure to put pitches or decks together to cater to a social investor audience, without knowing whether it’s an appropriate form of finance or what kind of detail is needed. These Office Hours are designed to give you a chance to talk about your plans informally first, see whether it might make sense, and to learn about how social investors go about making an investment decision.

No questions/​topics are prohibited, other than asking for direct connections to particular investors, or asking for content creation (e.g. putting together a deck).

To begin with three social investors who are members of the SIIG (City Bridge Foundation, Treebeard Trust and Trust for London) will host Office Hours but it’s intended other foundations / investors will attend in the future.

Organisations interested in attending should email gcartwright@acf.org.uk.

The first session is on 25 April, 9–11am at Zinc’s offices in Euston, Zinc HQ, Euston House, 24 Eversholt Street London, NW1 1AD.

You can either book in to meet one of the Trusts in person or book an online Zoom slot – just indicate which time and format works best for you in your email.

Follow us on social media