City Bridge Foundation
We provide grants and use our resources to help communities foster connections, become more resilient and build a more equal London.
Overview
Total reviews: 2
Median 5.5 hours
Latest Reviews
Aug 8, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
The followings are my experience with City Bridge Trust:
1) The waiting time for decision is very long time, about 6 months or even longer for my experience
2) City Bridge's process of keeping applicants informed during the wait is quite poor from my experience as I called number of times to ask for an update and I have been told grant officer looking at your application will call you but it hardly happened.
3) City Bridge Application quite long and it took a month to complete as somebody from smaller charity
Pros
Culturally sensitive
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Bad
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Average
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
SUPPORTIVE FOR GRANTEES
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
SHORTEN YOUR APPLICATION TURNAROUND TIME AND SIMPLIFY YOUR APPLICATION.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback, we really appreciate hearing our applicants' experience and are currently working on improving our decision times.
Jun 4, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2017
Very helpful grants officers, you need a clear idea of what you are applying for, the guidelines are quite strict,. One of the few trusts that will pay for salaries and understand the need for clear accounting by any applicants.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
Culturally sensitive
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2017
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Very helpful as they offer other supportive services such as professional guidance and development for charities and are very committed to climate change.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
cares deeply about the health and welfare of the people of London
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Could they fund two salaried posts instead of one to develop projects more sustainably although I realise funding pots are finite
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?
Not really, they have an excellent website
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback and for helping others understand more about what we offer.
Apr 29, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
That they should apply to the CBT as they are an excellent funder as further to financial support they offer other in-kind help and are open to discussions around budget allocations.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Culturally sensitive
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
They are incredibly approachable and accessible.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
They add far more value that the essential core funding they offer us.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Keeps the dialogue open; they communicate very well with us as a grantee.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Keep things running as they are, this is an excellent funder that is very supportive and understanding. Even requesting a shorter interim report this year has been unexpected but very considerate when thinking of the last year.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?
Not from our perspective.
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for sending your feedback and we are pleased to hear that we are helping with our shorter reporting requirements.
Apr 28, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
City Bridge are a fair and transparent funder, and are clear about what they are looking for and what they will support, and how. Their guidance and requirements are good. However, they are VERY hot on the numbers, and even (obvious) rounding errors get their finance team in a bit of a spin - with everything having to be completed in a very (time consuming) format which isn't always clear - particuarly to smaller organisations who don't think like they do. However, they will support you with this, and it is often an itterative process whilst you jump through the hoops. It does take an awful lot of time to get right (their "right"). Once you get the grant - they are very easy to deal with and are supportive!
Pros
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
Understands nonprofits and issues
Responsive
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Open and accountable as to their decision making. Funder visits as part of the applicaiton process help with this.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Consider the way that you request financial information, making it easier for organisations to present in a way that means they don't have to jump through very complicated, complex hoops!
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback - this will be passed on for ongoing review of our processes.
Apr 20, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
CBT listen. They have always provided us with straightforward advice. It appears to me that they want to fund projects sustainably, so fund fully and, in our experience, have then offered subsequent benefits to support funded organisations. Excellent flexible response to the Covid 19 pandemic.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Responsive
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Open, friendly and supportive.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
The additional support and guidance offered as well as the responsiveness of grant officers is much appreciated.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Additional support and really trying to understand the experience and problems facing the sector.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Keep going, I think you are a good example to other funders of how to be flexible and supportive with funded organisations.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?
We are really grateful for the insightful and innovative response this funder took during the Covid 19 pandemic. We were invited to convert a year of funding to essential/core costs to support our organisation through the period and were able to adjust our offer to our beneficiaries and plug a hole in expected income which was really supportive to our survival through the whole period.
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your response - we are pleased that we have been able to support you through the pandemic.
Aug 8, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
The followings are my experience with City Bridge Trust:
1) The waiting time for decision is very long time, about 6 months or even longer for my experience
2) City Bridge's process of keeping applicants informed during the wait is quite poor from my experience as I called number of times to ask for an update and I have been told grant officer looking at your application will call you but it hardly happened.
3) City Bridge Application quite long and it took a month to complete as somebody from smaller charity
Pros
Culturally sensitive
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Bad
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Average
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
SUPPORTIVE FOR GRANTEES
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
SHORTEN YOUR APPLICATION TURNAROUND TIME AND SIMPLIFY YOUR APPLICATION.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback, we really appreciate hearing our applicants' experience and are currently working on improving our decision times.
Jun 4, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2017
Very helpful grants officers, you need a clear idea of what you are applying for, the guidelines are quite strict,. One of the few trusts that will pay for salaries and understand the need for clear accounting by any applicants.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
Culturally sensitive
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2017
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Very helpful as they offer other supportive services such as professional guidance and development for charities and are very committed to climate change.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
cares deeply about the health and welfare of the people of London
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Could they fund two salaried posts instead of one to develop projects more sustainably although I realise funding pots are finite
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?
Not really, they have an excellent website
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback and for helping others understand more about what we offer.
Apr 29, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
That they should apply to the CBT as they are an excellent funder as further to financial support they offer other in-kind help and are open to discussions around budget allocations.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Culturally sensitive
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
They are incredibly approachable and accessible.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
They add far more value that the essential core funding they offer us.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Keeps the dialogue open; they communicate very well with us as a grantee.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Keep things running as they are, this is an excellent funder that is very supportive and understanding. Even requesting a shorter interim report this year has been unexpected but very considerate when thinking of the last year.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?
Not from our perspective.
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for sending your feedback and we are pleased to hear that we are helping with our shorter reporting requirements.
Apr 28, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
City Bridge are a fair and transparent funder, and are clear about what they are looking for and what they will support, and how. Their guidance and requirements are good. However, they are VERY hot on the numbers, and even (obvious) rounding errors get their finance team in a bit of a spin - with everything having to be completed in a very (time consuming) format which isn't always clear - particuarly to smaller organisations who don't think like they do. However, they will support you with this, and it is often an itterative process whilst you jump through the hoops. It does take an awful lot of time to get right (their "right"). Once you get the grant - they are very easy to deal with and are supportive!
Pros
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
Understands nonprofits and issues
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Open and accountable as to their decision making. Funder visits as part of the applicaiton process help with this.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Consider the way that you request financial information, making it easier for organisations to present in a way that means they don't have to jump through very complicated, complex hoops!
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback - this will be passed on for ongoing review of our processes.
Apr 20, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
CBT listen. They have always provided us with straightforward advice. It appears to me that they want to fund projects sustainably, so fund fully and, in our experience, have then offered subsequent benefits to support funded organisations. Excellent flexible response to the Covid 19 pandemic.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Open, friendly and supportive.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
The additional support and guidance offered as well as the responsiveness of grant officers is much appreciated.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Additional support and really trying to understand the experience and problems facing the sector.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Keep going, I think you are a good example to other funders of how to be flexible and supportive with funded organisations.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?
We are really grateful for the insightful and innovative response this funder took during the Covid 19 pandemic. We were invited to convert a year of funding to essential/core costs to support our organisation through the period and were able to adjust our offer to our beneficiaries and plug a hole in expected income which was really supportive to our survival through the whole period.
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your response - we are pleased that we have been able to support you through the pandemic.