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: 40
Median 10 hours
Latest Reviews
May 27, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018
Try and have a conversation beforehand. Believe they really want to fund good work and want to support you. They've been very flexible and clear with what they expect.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
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?
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
Flexibility and feeling of support in covid-19 crisis
Plus they came and saw the work in action which was valued
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
The interim report budget format didn't match our application one so required a bit of working out
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 very much for this vote of confidence. We do indeed really want to help and the more we can get this message to potential grantees the better. We are pleased that you have felt supported during Covid-19 as this has been our priority over the past few months. We love to visit funded organisations and hope to start this again as soon as we can safely.
Dec 12, 2019
applied in 2018
read all the information. Make notes, and prepare narrative statements. Make sure you have all the documentation thats required.
Pros
Friendly
Likes site visits
Understands nonprofits and issues
Responsive
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Applied and not funded
If you were funded tell us the outcome
What year was this experience?
2018
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
I found the online form a bit long and repetitive in places
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
I was telephoned by a representative who discussed my application and gave me some good advice about how to proceed
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Core funding is really important to organisations like ours as the Governments austerity policies have hit us hard. Many small charities like ours have been forced to close. We have struggled to survive, but are managing to do so through the support of funders such as these, so Thank you
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?
when uploading documents on the application form make sure you follow the order that they are asked for in as I wasted a good 45 minutes not doing this properly. I phoned the funder and they helped me out.
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 taking the time to feedback to us and for your appreciation. We are pleased that our core funding has helped at such a difficult time.
Dec 2, 2019
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
This is an approachable funder who understand the issues that infrastructure organisation face in this current funding climate.
They also, in addition to funding, help you to make connections to supportive services and training that enables you to improve skills base in areas that can enhance or improve service productivity.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Insightful
Friendly
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
Being approachable
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Continue doing what you are doing. Allocation of an approachable grant manager with regular opportunities to feedback on progression and any changes or difficulties
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 delighted that you have found us a supportive and approachable funder. Our Funding Managers work very hard to understand the current funding climate and will continue to do this.
Nov 1, 2019
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018
As with any application, read the criteria carefully, make sure that your ask is a good fit for the funder's objectives, and demonstrate clearly how your programme delivers on their priorities.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Culturally sensitive
Friendly
Builds relationships
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
City Bridge Trust have recognised that core cost funding is vital to the financial stability of charities. They also provide multi-year funding, which takes a huge pressure off to be fundraising for the same costs each year, and allows organisations to focus on delivering their objectives and getting better at what they do. The grants officers maintain an ongoing dialogue with the grantees, and signpost additional support and capacity building offers developed by City Bridge Trust with partners.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
You can also support organisations to develop their fundraising capacity by giving detailed and explicit feedback on unsuccessful applications.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Oct 17, 2019
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
conversations at a strategic level helped to ensure our work aligned with theirs. If possible, seek out these conversations (whether directly or joining their events)
Pros
Gives more than money
Builds relationships
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
Incredible convenor
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 taking the time to leave this review. We are very keen to have an open dialougue with the sector and would encourage all prospective grantees to follow us on Twitter @CityBridgeTrust to be alerted of future events where you can engage with us. We are keen to utilise a full assets approach to our grant-making, so we really value your feedback regarding giving more than money and convening.
May 27, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018
Try and have a conversation beforehand. Believe they really want to fund good work and want to support you. They've been very flexible and clear with what they expect.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
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?
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
Flexibility and feeling of support in covid-19 crisis Plus they came and saw the work in action which was valued
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
The interim report budget format didn't match our application one so required a bit of working out
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you very much for this vote of confidence. We do indeed really want to help and the more we can get this message to potential grantees the better. We are pleased that you have felt supported during Covid-19 as this has been our priority over the past few months. We love to visit funded organisations and hope to start this again as soon as we can safely.
Dec 12, 2019
applied in 2018
read all the information. Make notes, and prepare narrative statements. Make sure you have all the documentation thats required.
Pros
Friendly
Likes site visits
Understands nonprofits and issues
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Applied and not funded
If you were funded tell us the outcome
What year was this experience?
2018
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
I found the online form a bit long and repetitive in places
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
I was telephoned by a representative who discussed my application and gave me some good advice about how to proceed
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Core funding is really important to organisations like ours as the Governments austerity policies have hit us hard. Many small charities like ours have been forced to close. We have struggled to survive, but are managing to do so through the support of funders such as these, so Thank you
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?
when uploading documents on the application form make sure you follow the order that they are asked for in as I wasted a good 45 minutes not doing this properly. I phoned the funder and they helped me out.
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to feedback to us and for your appreciation. We are pleased that our core funding has helped at such a difficult time.
Dec 2, 2019
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
This is an approachable funder who understand the issues that infrastructure organisation face in this current funding climate.
They also, in addition to funding, help you to make connections to supportive services and training that enables you to improve skills base in areas that can enhance or improve service productivity.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Insightful
Friendly
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
Being approachable
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Continue doing what you are doing. Allocation of an approachable grant manager with regular opportunities to feedback on progression and any changes or difficulties
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback - we are delighted that you have found us a supportive and approachable funder. Our Funding Managers work very hard to understand the current funding climate and will continue to do this.
Nov 1, 2019
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018
As with any application, read the criteria carefully, make sure that your ask is a good fit for the funder's objectives, and demonstrate clearly how your programme delivers on their priorities.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Culturally sensitive
Friendly
Builds relationships
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
City Bridge Trust have recognised that core cost funding is vital to the financial stability of charities. They also provide multi-year funding, which takes a huge pressure off to be fundraising for the same costs each year, and allows organisations to focus on delivering their objectives and getting better at what they do. The grants officers maintain an ongoing dialogue with the grantees, and signpost additional support and capacity building offers developed by City Bridge Trust with partners.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
You can also support organisations to develop their fundraising capacity by giving detailed and explicit feedback on unsuccessful applications.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Oct 17, 2019
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
conversations at a strategic level helped to ensure our work aligned with theirs. If possible, seek out these conversations (whether directly or joining their events)
Pros
Gives more than money
Builds relationships
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
Incredible convenor
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to leave this review. We are very keen to have an open dialougue with the sector and would encourage all prospective grantees to follow us on Twitter @CityBridgeTrust to be alerted of future events where you can engage with us. We are keen to utilise a full assets approach to our grant-making, so we really value your feedback regarding giving more than money and convening.