Action for Race Equality is today delighted to announce we have been awarded a ‘game changing’ grant of £1,491,000 from the City Bridge Foundation (formerly City Bridge Trust) to enable us to continue to support the Black, Asian and minority ethnic voluntary sector.
A total of 14 grants have been awarded by the City Bridge Foundation, one of the capital’s biggest independent charity funders, from its Anchor Programme, which provides long-term core funding for organisations working with others tackling societal inequality including those for Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ communities and organisations supporting Deaf and disabled people.
Jeremy Crook OBE, our Chief Executive, said:
I want to thank City Bridge Foundation for awarding ARE this significant and transformational grant. It allows us to support our core team, influence policy makers and strengthen Black and Asian led civil society organisations which play a key role in supporting people who face socio-economic disadvantage and systemic barriers.
The Foundation’s support is a massive boost for ARE and shows confidence in our approach, expertise and commitment, and we look forward to making a positive impact over the next decade. A key component in tackling poverty and racial disadvantage is the presence of a sustainable and vibrant ethnically diverse civil society sector.
We can now confidently plan in line with our strategy and to continue to challenge and support the change we need to make, so London is fair, equitable and inclusive. Working closely with the Foundation and other partners, we hope to set a precedent for other funders and investors to follow.’
Jeremy Crook OBE, A Journey Towards Inclusion |
Young, Black, Talented, RICS, 2022
The Anchor programme, co-designed with civil society organisations, is believed to be unique among funders and offers grants for up to 10 years – twice as long as the maximum usually offered by City Bridge Foundation.
Giles Shilson, City Bridge Foundation, said:
This funding is a game-changer for these 14 charities which are leading the fight for a fairer, more equitable London and supporting frontline charities working with marginalised groups across the capital.
As far as we know, no other funder offers this kind of core funding for up to 10 years, which gives recipients the time and space they need to collaborate, take risks and create systemic change.
It reduces the need for constant fund-raising, means charities can address the root causes rather than just the symptoms of inequality, and allows more capacity for long-term projects which can deliver really meaningful results.”
Expressions of interest for the second round of grants from the Anchor Programme are due to open in the spring. More information is at www.citybridgefoundation.org.uk/funding/the-anchor-programme
More information about the funding awarded under round one is at: https://democracy.cityoflondon.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=142882#mgDocuments
About City Bridge Foundation
City Bridge Foundation is a world-class bridge owner responsible for five Thames crossings – including the iconic Tower Bridge – and London’s biggest independent charity funder.
They award over £30 million a year in grants to charitable organisations across London, and have made a further £200 million available over the five years to 2026 to support the capital’s charity sector. Our Moving on Up programme is also currently generously supported by City Bridge Foundation.