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
Nov 27, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
In my experience City Bridge Trust is one of the best grant awarding bodies. They completely understand the realities of running a small charity and go out of their way to help make the experience of applying for funds and then delivering your project as pain free as possible. Their understanding during the Covid-19 crisis has been fantastic. My main advice would be that if you encounter any difficulties at any stage talk to them. They really want to help.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
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?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Average
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
They support their grantees superbly.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
I had never applied for a large multi-year grant before and I had no idea what level of funds would be considered appropriate. I now know that I pitched salaries too low. I am not sure what CBT could have done about this though!
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?
As with all funders, it is important to read the criteria. They review their funding streams regularly to make sure they are fulfilling their strategic goals. They believe in their strategic goals and so your application needs to be very clear about how your activities or projects will deliver them.
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 very pleased to hear that we are supporting you effectively during the crisis.
Nov 17, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2017
To focus on outcomes and benefits for deprived Londoners, to feel bale to discuss the application with City Bridge staff, and to expect a very supportive appraoch should funding be awarded
Pros
Gives more than money
Culturally sensitive
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
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Supports
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 response. We are always working to give more than money to those that we support and are pleased that you have felt this.
Nov 13, 2020
applied in 2019
Very responsive funder who will always reply to enquiries. Make sure you allow enough time to apply before your project starts as the decision-making process is longer than you might think. Approximate decision times are clearly advertised on their website.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Friendly
Responsive
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Grant currently pending
If you were funded tell us the outcome
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
Outstanding vision/mission.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
None
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 give us feedback. We are always looking to improve our processes and communication.
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.
Nov 27, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
In my experience City Bridge Trust is one of the best grant awarding bodies. They completely understand the realities of running a small charity and go out of their way to help make the experience of applying for funds and then delivering your project as pain free as possible. Their understanding during the Covid-19 crisis has been fantastic. My main advice would be that if you encounter any difficulties at any stage talk to them. They really want to help.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
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?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Average
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
They support their grantees superbly.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
I had never applied for a large multi-year grant before and I had no idea what level of funds would be considered appropriate. I now know that I pitched salaries too low. I am not sure what CBT could have done about this though!
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?
As with all funders, it is important to read the criteria. They review their funding streams regularly to make sure they are fulfilling their strategic goals. They believe in their strategic goals and so your application needs to be very clear about how your activities or projects will deliver them.
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your feedback - we are very pleased to hear that we are supporting you effectively during the crisis.
Nov 17, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2017
To focus on outcomes and benefits for deprived Londoners, to feel bale to discuss the application with City Bridge staff, and to expect a very supportive appraoch should funding be awarded
Pros
Gives more than money
Culturally sensitive
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
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Supports
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your response. We are always working to give more than money to those that we support and are pleased that you have felt this.
Nov 13, 2020
applied in 2019
Very responsive funder who will always reply to enquiries. Make sure you allow enough time to apply before your project starts as the decision-making process is longer than you might think. Approximate decision times are clearly advertised on their website.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Friendly
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
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
Outstanding vision/mission.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
None
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to give us feedback. We are always looking to improve our processes and communication.
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.