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: 10
Median 6.5 hours
Latest Reviews
Feb 24, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
Make sure you have all of your information together and read the guidelines first. Plan how you are going to carry out the work and really think about what you need to run the project. We did not put in management costs which is in fact a big drain on our other resources within the charity.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Culturally sensitive
Friendly
Builds relationships
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
Once we received our funding CBT have been excellent in communicating and so helpful.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
I think CBT does all it says it will do.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
CBT are very adaptable and amenable, easy to communicate with and it feels like a nice relaxed relationship.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Our only issue was before receiving the funding where we had to wait nearly a year to hear about the outcome. Perhaps you could advise future applicants of when they can expect to hear back on their application, and if there are delays then do let them know, with a further timeline.
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?
If in doubt talk to them about any concerns or changes to spending (or anything else) that you may have. They are very open minded, helpful and understanding.
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 please do talk to your Funding Manager as well about this.
Feb 10, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018
City Bridge Trust are very thorough in their assessment of applications. They visited our offices and examined our finances and organisational structure, as well as all the project details.
They are also extremely human and aproachable. City Bridge staff listen to those seeking support and respond swiftly. All our dealings with the trust have been friendly and clear. The funding manager we now work with is excellent. Ciry Bridge Trust are an exceptional funder.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
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
City bridge Trust listen and take the time to understand.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Don't change.
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, we are pleased that you have found dealing with us to be such a positive experience.
Feb 2, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018
I would tell them to expect an experience that is somewhere between a trust funder and a statutory funder. They have a lot of the approachable flexibility of a trust but with the processes that are more akin to a statutory funder.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Risk taker
Culturally sensitive
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?
2018
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
I have been fundraising for almost two decades and I would say that City Bridge has changed for the better during that time.
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
I think City Bridge deals very well with its grantees. It is very approachable and gives an honest assessment of how things are.
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?
Don't be afraid to ask the questions you need answers to - they will general give you honest answers.
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 letting others know what interacting with us is like.
Dec 29, 2020
Other - applied in 2019
We have had a good relationship with this funder and until Covid our relationship has been very positive with our grant officer. However we applied to renew our grant in November 19 and still do not have a decision. The funding ran out in June and we have had 2 communications since, one asking for more info. But two months on still no decision. This is putting our whole charity at risk.
Pros
Friendly
Likes site visits
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?
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
When we can get contact they are very clear on what they need
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Ensure you make decisions in a more timely manner. I appreciate Covid has meant more grants to process, but a year for a decision is far too long.
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
We are sorry to hear this - please do contact your Funding Manager and explain the situation.
Dec 17, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2017
CBT seem like a very rigorous and detail oriented funder at first, perhaps a little distant. But they are friendly, flexible, supportive and love to get involved in projects!
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
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 letting us know how we come across at first - this will be fed back to the team.
Feb 24, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
Make sure you have all of your information together and read the guidelines first. Plan how you are going to carry out the work and really think about what you need to run the project. We did not put in management costs which is in fact a big drain on our other resources within the charity.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Culturally sensitive
Friendly
Builds relationships
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
Once we received our funding CBT have been excellent in communicating and so helpful.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
I think CBT does all it says it will do.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
CBT are very adaptable and amenable, easy to communicate with and it feels like a nice relaxed relationship.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Our only issue was before receiving the funding where we had to wait nearly a year to hear about the outcome. Perhaps you could advise future applicants of when they can expect to hear back on their application, and if there are delays then do let them know, with a further timeline.
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?
If in doubt talk to them about any concerns or changes to spending (or anything else) that you may have. They are very open minded, helpful and understanding.
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your review and please do talk to your Funding Manager as well about this.
Feb 10, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018
City Bridge Trust are very thorough in their assessment of applications. They visited our offices and examined our finances and organisational structure, as well as all the project details.
They are also extremely human and aproachable. City Bridge staff listen to those seeking support and respond swiftly. All our dealings with the trust have been friendly and clear. The funding manager we now work with is excellent. Ciry Bridge Trust are an exceptional funder.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
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
City bridge Trust listen and take the time to understand.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Don't change.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your review, we are pleased that you have found dealing with us to be such a positive experience.
Feb 2, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018
I would tell them to expect an experience that is somewhere between a trust funder and a statutory funder. They have a lot of the approachable flexibility of a trust but with the processes that are more akin to a statutory funder.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Risk taker
Culturally sensitive
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?
2018
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
I have been fundraising for almost two decades and I would say that City Bridge has changed for the better during that time.
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
I think City Bridge deals very well with its grantees. It is very approachable and gives an honest assessment of how things are.
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?
Don't be afraid to ask the questions you need answers to - they will general give you honest answers.
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback and for letting others know what interacting with us is like.
Dec 29, 2020
Other - applied in 2019
We have had a good relationship with this funder and until Covid our relationship has been very positive with our grant officer. However we applied to renew our grant in November 19 and still do not have a decision. The funding ran out in June and we have had 2 communications since, one asking for more info. But two months on still no decision. This is putting our whole charity at risk.
Pros
Friendly
Likes site visits
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?
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
When we can get contact they are very clear on what they need
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Ensure you make decisions in a more timely manner. I appreciate Covid has meant more grants to process, but a year for a decision is far too long.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
We are sorry to hear this - please do contact your Funding Manager and explain the situation.
Dec 17, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2017
CBT seem like a very rigorous and detail oriented funder at first, perhaps a little distant. But they are friendly, flexible, supportive and love to get involved in projects!
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
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback and letting us know how we come across at first - this will be fed back to the team.