The Funding Committee of the City Bridge Foundation Board met on Wednesday 10 June 2026 to discuss a range of funding activities and governance matters. Key topics included an overview of Strategic Transition Awards, updates on grant funding activity, and a report on decisions taken under delegated authority. The committee also reviewed the Chief Funding Director's update report.

Governance Matters

The committee was scheduled to receive the resolution of the City Bridge Foundation Board regarding the appointment of the committee and its terms of reference. A decision was also to be made regarding the election of a Deputy Chair. The public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on 4 March 2026 were also scheduled for agreement. An update on outstanding actions and decisions taken under delegated authority or urgency was to be provided for information.

Funding Updates

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing the City Bridge Foundation's (CBF) funding activities. The Chief Funding Director's update report was set to cover progress with justice programmes, funding for London's Jewish communities, the implications of a shrinking civic space, social investment and enterprise development, and the charity's EDI Strategy.

The committee was also to receive an update on grant funding activity for the period ending 21 May 2026, detailing funds approved and rejected under delegated authority, the remaining grants budget, and grants spend to date. An overview of the Strategic Transition Awards (STAs) was also on the agenda, providing an update on the £10 million programme designed to support the sector during the transition between the closure of the Bridging Divides programme and the full opening of the Standing with Londoners initiative.

Strategic Transition Awards Overview

The report on Strategic Transition Awards detailed the allocation of £10 million across seven themes: Women and girls/Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) (£3m), Deaf and Disabled people (£2m), Suicide Prevention (£1.1m), Infrastructure (£1m), Children and young people (£1m), LGBT+ (£1m), and Access (£0.9m). The report indicated that the funds had been committed across 62 grant awards. Specific initiatives mentioned included support for the Women's Resource Centre, Locality for VAWG service providers, and direct grants to 50 women-led organisations. Funding for Deaf and Disabled people was channelled through Trust for London's Disability Justice Fund, and a grant was allocated to Samaritans for their regional approach in London. Infrastructure funding was distributed to London Plus, Enfield Voluntary Action, Havering Together, and Freshwater Foundation. Grants for Children and Young People were directed to People's Health Trust and London Community Foundation. The LGBT+ sector received funding through Consortium, and the Centre for Accessible Environments (Habinteg) received funding for access improvements.

Decisions Taken Under Delegated Authority or Urgency

A report was scheduled to inform the committee of actions taken by the Town Clerk and the Acting Managing Director of CBF under delegated authority or urgency procedures. This included a variation of terms for a social investment loan to support housing provision for men leaving custody, involving an increase in the investment amount and a reduction in the interest rate. Additionally, the approval of the Catalysing Change – Due Diligence Framework was to be reported, aimed at ensuring compliance with charity law and Charity Commission guidance for organisations engaged in advocacy and campaigning under the Standing with Londoners programme.

Other Business

The agenda also included a slot for questions on matters relating to the work of the committee and any other business that the Chair considered urgent. A motion was also to be considered for the exclusion of the public for specific non-public agenda items.

The meeting was scheduled to include a non-public session covering the non-public minutes, a one-year review of Standing with Londoners, the Economic Justice Programme, an update on Access to Justice, a pipeline of strategic grants and partnerships under Standing with Londoners, the Social Investment Policy, the Social Investment Portfolio, and a Strategic Initiatives Progress Report.