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: 80
Median 10 hours
Latest Reviews
Aug 31, 2021
Funded for lesser amount - applied in 2019
To ensure they have all the information ready - ie.budgets, project breakdown and a clear purpose
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
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 lesser amount
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
Contacts you regularly to see how your organisation is going and appreciates that things may change during the duration of the grant and listens to your needs and changes that may be needed
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 reviewing and for your advice to others.
Aug 17, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2013
I would tell them that City Bridge Trust is a grantor that has a very good understanding of the funding needs across London for organisations such as ours and that there approach to funding is rigorous but extremely fair with an emphasis in collaborative work between the grantor and the grantee and that the whole experience is educational and enlightening.
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?
2013
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Very accessible
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
In funding our organisation, the funder is meeting one of his goals, namely improving living conditions and access to justice across London.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Communication and empathy.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
I would advise to continue on the path they have taken so far.
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 review and for your lovely comments.
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.
Aug 31, 2021
Funded for lesser amount - applied in 2019
To ensure they have all the information ready - ie.budgets, project breakdown and a clear purpose
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
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 lesser amount
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
Contacts you regularly to see how your organisation is going and appreciates that things may change during the duration of the grant and listens to your needs and changes that may be needed
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for reviewing and for your advice to others.
Aug 17, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2013
I would tell them that City Bridge Trust is a grantor that has a very good understanding of the funding needs across London for organisations such as ours and that there approach to funding is rigorous but extremely fair with an emphasis in collaborative work between the grantor and the grantee and that the whole experience is educational and enlightening.
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?
2013
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Very accessible
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
In funding our organisation, the funder is meeting one of his goals, namely improving living conditions and access to justice across London.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Communication and empathy.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
I would advise to continue on the path they have taken so far.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your review and for your lovely comments.
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.