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: 1
Median hours
Latest Reviews
Dec 13, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018
The grant staff at City Bridge Trust could not be more helpful. I would recommend contacting them to discuss your proposal and developing a relationship with them.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
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
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
We have loved being part of one of the first pan-London Learning Networks. We think City Bridge Trust is forward thinking and uses its experience to influence other funders.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
They understand that things can change and that outcomes and outputs might need reviewing sometimes mid-grant. They led the way in making funding more flexible during Covid and also reduced the detail in the monitoring requirements to take pressure off grantees who were trying to adapt to the changing environment.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Nil - keep doing what you do
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
Many thanks for your feedback, we always welcome discussions!
Nov 19, 2021
Funded for lesser amount - applied in 2019
That they need to devote a lot of time to the application process, work out a lot of the details, and try not to repeat themselves although some of the questions are quite similar, in order to give maximum information.
Pros
Friendly
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 lesser amount
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?
Average
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
To revisit the rules with regard to volunteer expenses which we found to be way too stringent
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 processes so will feed this into our team.
Oct 31, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
Take a lot of time to get the bid right. Be honest about difficulties and/or new opportunities. It's worth it.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Risk taker
Insightful
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?
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
City Bridge showed exceptional flexibility in the light of Covid and of us wanting to expand the project when we secured additional funding.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
They really grilled us re our long term financial plan, which made us think hard about important issues and led to a 5 year funding commitment, (two years more than the "industry norm"
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Can the web portal be adapted so it is easier to produce printed or PDF copies of the grant details, so we can share them with colleagues without giving full access to the portal by supplying our passwords.
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?
NA
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 your advice to let us know what is happening, we really appreciate it.
Oct 28, 2021
Funded for greater amount - applied in 2019
City Bridge Trust have been a very supportive and flexible funder, especially during Covid19. The application process is appropriately rigorous for the amount and duration of their funding.
Pros
Friendly
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 greater 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
Reporting requirements are appropriate in terms of the type and size of funding.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
I would be interested to see a 'Who We Are' page on the CBT website with photos and short biographies of key staff and Trustees, just to put people's faces to the Trust's activities.
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 you have found us supportive and flexible during this difficult time.
Sep 9, 2021
Other - applied in 2019
Fairly lengthy and detailed process but then it is a substantial funder......so the rewards could be high
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?
Average
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Average
Depends - if you are looking to fund smaller groups with less experience maybe think about a two stage process - a simple two sides of A4 on this is my idea so you can weed out anything that stands no chance at any early stage without hours of work
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Its really clear what they are interested in funding.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
See above on two stage process
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 your comments. We always try to bring more than funding so do make sure to discuss with your Funding Manager.
Dec 13, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018
The grant staff at City Bridge Trust could not be more helpful. I would recommend contacting them to discuss your proposal and developing a relationship with them.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
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
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
We have loved being part of one of the first pan-London Learning Networks. We think City Bridge Trust is forward thinking and uses its experience to influence other funders.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
They understand that things can change and that outcomes and outputs might need reviewing sometimes mid-grant. They led the way in making funding more flexible during Covid and also reduced the detail in the monitoring requirements to take pressure off grantees who were trying to adapt to the changing environment.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Nil - keep doing what you do
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Many thanks for your feedback, we always welcome discussions!
Nov 19, 2021
Funded for lesser amount - applied in 2019
That they need to devote a lot of time to the application process, work out a lot of the details, and try not to repeat themselves although some of the questions are quite similar, in order to give maximum information.
Pros
Friendly
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 lesser amount
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?
Average
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
To revisit the rules with regard to volunteer expenses which we found to be way too stringent
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 processes so will feed this into our team.
Oct 31, 2021
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
Take a lot of time to get the bid right. Be honest about difficulties and/or new opportunities. It's worth it.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Risk taker
Insightful
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?
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
City Bridge showed exceptional flexibility in the light of Covid and of us wanting to expand the project when we secured additional funding.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
They really grilled us re our long term financial plan, which made us think hard about important issues and led to a 5 year funding commitment, (two years more than the "industry norm"
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Can the web portal be adapted so it is easier to produce printed or PDF copies of the grant details, so we can share them with colleagues without giving full access to the portal by supplying our passwords.
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?
NA
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your review and your advice to let us know what is happening, we really appreciate it.
Oct 28, 2021
Funded for greater amount - applied in 2019
City Bridge Trust have been a very supportive and flexible funder, especially during Covid19. The application process is appropriately rigorous for the amount and duration of their funding.
Pros
Friendly
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 greater 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
Reporting requirements are appropriate in terms of the type and size of funding.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
I would be interested to see a 'Who We Are' page on the CBT website with photos and short biographies of key staff and Trustees, just to put people's faces to the Trust's activities.
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 you have found us supportive and flexible during this difficult time.
Sep 9, 2021
Other - applied in 2019
Fairly lengthy and detailed process but then it is a substantial funder......so the rewards could be high
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?
Average
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Average
Depends - if you are looking to fund smaller groups with less experience maybe think about a two stage process - a simple two sides of A4 on this is my idea so you can weed out anything that stands no chance at any early stage without hours of work
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Its really clear what they are interested in funding.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
See above on two stage process
Reply from City Bridge Trust
Mar 22, 2023
Thank you for your review and your comments. We always try to bring more than funding so do make sure to discuss with your Funding Manager.