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 19 hours
Latest Reviews
Nov 13, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
City Bridge Trust have updated their funding priorities recently so check that the project matches them, and make sure to include this in the application.
Pros
Gives more than money
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?
Average
Forms are a little long and frustrating, but they are willing to help you with finalising information. There was a big backlog of applications when we applied so took a long time to get a response.
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
Offers good support alongside money via various programmes - e.g training, consultancy support.
Responded well to covid with additional grants and reduced reporting requirements.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Improve communication response times.
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 are currently reviewing our application process looking at how and at which points in the process we contact applicants so we hope to improve this in the future.
Nov 2, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018
My advice is to read the guidance notes carefully and talk to the trust before making an application.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
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?
2018
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
Communication
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Increase catch-up calls with grantees to help build stronger relationships and understanding.
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?
Provide more understanding of the teams involved in each priority area.
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 giving feedback, which will be shared with the whole team in our ongoing efforts to improve our processes.
Oct 29, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2016
They should know about the funder's grant committed programmes and overall background.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
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?
2016
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Very accessible and understanding.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Supportive not only with giving grants, but additional training paid by them.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Flexible and additional support
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 are pleased to hear that you found us flexible and appreciated our additional support and training.
Oct 22, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
Pros
Insightful
Friendly
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
Communication. Porta for submissions of requirements is very efficient too.
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 this great feedback. Our Funding Managers are committed to having as good relationships as possible with organisations we fund, so we are delighted that you feel we are insightful and responsive.
Oct 12, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
Plan ahead. Great funder with clear communication, though the decision-making process was slow.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
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
Always easy to reach by phone or email.
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
This is a strategic funder that trusts the groups it funds.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
The decision-making time can impact on staff retention and I think the funder should have a question about this. In our case we had to let go a person who was a real asset to the sector.
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?
This funder understands the need for personal resilience and has put in very useful place free support for funded groups. City Bridge Trust are strategic and are gradually capacity-building the sector as a whole. They are a great funder with thorough application forms and then much appreciated light-touch monitoring and contact, with an interest in the end results. They respond to twitter tagging too.
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 very much for your honest feedback. We are delighted to hear that you feel trusted by CBT and that you appreciate the support we offer around resilience and other free support. We are sorry to hear that you had to let a member of staff go while waiting for the results of your application. This is such a shame. We will feed back all of your comments to our teams.
Nov 13, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
City Bridge Trust have updated their funding priorities recently so check that the project matches them, and make sure to include this in the application.
Pros
Gives more than money
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?
Average
Forms are a little long and frustrating, but they are willing to help you with finalising information. There was a big backlog of applications when we applied so took a long time to get a response.
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
Offers good support alongside money via various programmes - e.g training, consultancy support. Responded well to covid with additional grants and reduced reporting requirements.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Improve communication response times.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback. We are currently reviewing our application process looking at how and at which points in the process we contact applicants so we hope to improve this in the future.
Nov 2, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018
My advice is to read the guidance notes carefully and talk to the trust before making an application.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
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?
2018
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
Communication
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Increase catch-up calls with grantees to help build stronger relationships and understanding.
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?
Provide more understanding of the teams involved in each priority area.
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for giving feedback, which will be shared with the whole team in our ongoing efforts to improve our processes.
Oct 29, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2016
They should know about the funder's grant committed programmes and overall background.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
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?
2016
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Very accessible and understanding.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Supportive not only with giving grants, but additional training paid by them.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Flexible and additional support
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback, we are pleased to hear that you found us flexible and appreciated our additional support and training.
Oct 22, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
Pros
Insightful
Friendly
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
Communication. Porta for submissions of requirements is very efficient too.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for this great feedback. Our Funding Managers are committed to having as good relationships as possible with organisations we fund, so we are delighted that you feel we are insightful and responsive.
Oct 12, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
Plan ahead. Great funder with clear communication, though the decision-making process was slow.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
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
Always easy to reach by phone or email.
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
This is a strategic funder that trusts the groups it funds.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
The decision-making time can impact on staff retention and I think the funder should have a question about this. In our case we had to let go a person who was a real asset to the sector.
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?
This funder understands the need for personal resilience and has put in very useful place free support for funded groups. City Bridge Trust are strategic and are gradually capacity-building the sector as a whole. They are a great funder with thorough application forms and then much appreciated light-touch monitoring and contact, with an interest in the end results. They respond to twitter tagging too.
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you very much for your honest feedback. We are delighted to hear that you feel trusted by CBT and that you appreciate the support we offer around resilience and other free support. We are sorry to hear that you had to let a member of staff go while waiting for the results of your application. This is such a shame. We will feed back all of your comments to our teams.