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: 13
Median 20 hours
Latest Reviews
Jun 26, 2024
Funded for lesser amount - applied in 2024
Don't believe what they say on their website about valuing grassroots groups and being an open funder - they've just given us two week's notice that they're shutting the youth funding we were going to ask for, and we've got no time to submit an application now because we can't afford a fundraiser (so I guess all their money will just go to the big organisations again, not small groups like us) - if the way you keep your rejection rate low is by just shutting the door in our face then maybe don't be so proud about it?
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for lesser amount
What year was this experience?
2024
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Poor
Just shutting with almost no notice isn't very accessible
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Poor
Not giving funding to groups like us because we can't afford a consultant to write an application in such a short time before they close means everything they say about wanting to fund smaller organisations doesn't really make sense to me
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
They used to be so good - understanding the youth sector and talking to us - but the people have changed now and it doesn't feel the same
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Don't shut your doors in our face
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Poor
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
May 29, 2024
Other - applied in 2024
Read the documents they provide about the aims of the programme- they're clear about what they're aiming to do and what/who they're looking to support (equally who/what they're not looking to fund).
The EoI form is really quick to create.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Understands nonprofits and issues
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Grant currently pending
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Other
What year was this experience?
2024
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
Clarity of aims of the funding programme
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Share your processes with others!
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
May 7, 2024
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2023
CBF is a listening funder, they will have a conversation with you and discuss ideas.
Their processes are rigorous but they are very supportive as a team and it's excellent to have a designated point of contact in the grant manager that you are assigned.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
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?
2023
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
May 1, 2024
Other - applied in 2024
Make sure you are up to date on your organisational details: safeguarding, reporting, trustees, GDPR. Very personable and work with you to make your appeal as strong as possible.
Pros
Gives more than money
Friendly
Builds relationships
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Grant currently pending
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Other
What year was this experience?
2024
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
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Apr 15, 2024
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2021
City Bridge are a fantastic, forward-thinking funder who are making great efforts to level the power balance between funder/fundee.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Culturally sensitive
Understands nonprofits and issues
Cons
Unresponsive
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?
2021
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Average
Whilst I've had a great experience in terms of the funding and being invited to events, I have had a poor experience in terms of the relationship with my grant manager. It took almost a year to get a reply at application stage. It has also hindered our programme and its delivery team quite a lot as they do not reply to my messages sometimes for months at a time, and have given contradictory advice. I offer this feedback in good spirit, without trying to apportion any blame and in the hope that other charities could avoid the negative impact this has had on us.
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
The efforts they make to level the power balance between funder/fundee. Their support for full cost recovery and the cost of living top up grant that we were awarded has meant so much.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
A prompt reply would mean so much.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Average
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Jun 26, 2024
Funded for lesser amount - applied in 2024
Don't believe what they say on their website about valuing grassroots groups and being an open funder - they've just given us two week's notice that they're shutting the youth funding we were going to ask for, and we've got no time to submit an application now because we can't afford a fundraiser (so I guess all their money will just go to the big organisations again, not small groups like us) - if the way you keep your rejection rate low is by just shutting the door in our face then maybe don't be so proud about it?
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for lesser amount
What year was this experience?
2024
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Poor
Just shutting with almost no notice isn't very accessible
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Poor
Not giving funding to groups like us because we can't afford a consultant to write an application in such a short time before they close means everything they say about wanting to fund smaller organisations doesn't really make sense to me
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
They used to be so good - understanding the youth sector and talking to us - but the people have changed now and it doesn't feel the same
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Don't shut your doors in our face
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Poor
May 29, 2024
Other - applied in 2024
Read the documents they provide about the aims of the programme- they're clear about what they're aiming to do and what/who they're looking to support (equally who/what they're not looking to fund).
The EoI form is really quick to create.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Understands nonprofits and issues
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Grant currently pending
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Other
What year was this experience?
2024
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
Clarity of aims of the funding programme
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Share your processes with others!
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
May 7, 2024
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2023
CBF is a listening funder, they will have a conversation with you and discuss ideas.
Their processes are rigorous but they are very supportive as a team and it's excellent to have a designated point of contact in the grant manager that you are assigned.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
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?
2023
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
May 1, 2024
Other - applied in 2024
Make sure you are up to date on your organisational details: safeguarding, reporting, trustees, GDPR. Very personable and work with you to make your appeal as strong as possible.
Pros
Gives more than money
Friendly
Builds relationships
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Grant currently pending
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Other
What year was this experience?
2024
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
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Apr 15, 2024
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2021
City Bridge are a fantastic, forward-thinking funder who are making great efforts to level the power balance between funder/fundee.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Culturally sensitive
Understands nonprofits and issues
Cons
Unresponsive
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?
2021
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Average
Whilst I've had a great experience in terms of the funding and being invited to events, I have had a poor experience in terms of the relationship with my grant manager. It took almost a year to get a reply at application stage. It has also hindered our programme and its delivery team quite a lot as they do not reply to my messages sometimes for months at a time, and have given contradictory advice. I offer this feedback in good spirit, without trying to apportion any blame and in the hope that other charities could avoid the negative impact this has had on us.
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
The efforts they make to level the power balance between funder/fundee. Their support for full cost recovery and the cost of living top up grant that we were awarded has meant so much.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
A prompt reply would mean so much.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Average