Action for Race Equality (ARE) is proud to announce the launch of the UPLIFT Programme, a comprehensive, fully funded 12-month initiative designed to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of Black, Asian, and Mixed Heritage-led organisations across London.
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Our UPLIFT Programme, funded by the City Bridge Foundation’s Anchor Programme, will run annually for the next decade, offering a structured, culturally relevant model of support and capacity-building.
Each year, a new cohort of organisations will benefit from up to £10,000 worth of expert-led training, coaching, and consultancy tailored to core areas such as finance, governance, communications, and policy.
Thanks to funding from the City Bridge Foundation’s Anchor Programme, ARE will deliver UPLIFT annually for the next 10 years ensuring sustained, culturally relevant support for organisations advancing racial and social justice.
As one of the first recipients of this long-term investment, ARE is committed to working in partnership with organisations to develop sustainable, resilient, and ambitious futures across a growing network of up to 20 organisations each year.
The programme will combine leadership development, bespoke consultancy, and action learning workshops, ensuring participants gain the tools, networks, and confidence needed to deliver lasting change in their communities.
It will be co-designed with sector voices to ensure it responds directly to the needs and challenges of organisations led by and for minoritised communities.
This long-term approach to grant funding is groundbreaking, especially for small charities like ARE. The trust and belief in our approach and expertise to build and strengthen Black, Asian and Mixed heritage-led charities working in the communities is vital to the sustainability and resilience of the sector.
This grant enables ARE to confidently plan in line with our strategy and vision and to continue to question, challenge and support the transformative change we need to see for a fairer, equitable and inclusive society.”-Jeremy Crook OBE, Chief Executive Action for Race Equality
In order to be eligible for the first cohort, organisations must be:
- Led by and for Black, Asian, or Mixed Heritage communities;
- London-based and active in their local boroughs;
- A registered charity, CIC, social enterprise, or voluntary group;
- Operating for at least one year with an annual income between £50,000 and £100,000.
Over the next decade, an independent evaluator will monitor the impact of the UPLIFT Programme, ensuring it remains responsive to the changing political, economic, and social landscape.
This programme builds on Action for Race Equality’s long-standing experience in delivering organisational development and capacity-building initiatives. Over the years, ARE has developed deep networks, insights, and expertise that will shape and strengthen the UPFLIT programme.
Ready to have your organisation be uplifted (key dates)?
Programme applications open on 30th April 2025 and close on 26th May 2025.
All successful applicants must be available for the mandatory co-designed induction of the programme on Wednesday, 16th July 2025 at 12:00 PM.
We will also be hosting a Q&A online session for anyone looking to apply and for any further questions, answered directly by our UPLIFT programme team.
Alternatively if you have any specific queries, please contact UPLIFT Programme Manager Nola Sterling at nola@actionforraceequality.org.uk.
Author
Nola Sterling
ARE UPLIFT Manager
Acknowledgement: The UPLIFT Programme will be generously funded for 10 years by City Bridge Foundation Anchor Programme .
