Are you a community-rooted organisation working alongside people experiencing poverty, exclusion, or inequality? The City Bridge Foundation is offering a significant new funding opportunity to support organisations driving long-term change across London. 

The Communities Building Economic Change programme provides core, flexible funding of £150,000 to £450,000 over five years for small and medium-sized organisations with annual incomes between £50,000 and £1.5 million.

About the Fund

Too many Londoners face financial hardship, insecure employment, rising living costs, unequal access to services, and barriers to participation in decision-making. The fund recognises that these challenges are often caused by systemic economic issues rather than individual circumstances. It aims to support organisations that are addressing the root causes of economic injustice while remaining firmly connected to their communities. 

Who Can Apply?

The fund is open to community-rooted organisations that:

• Deliver frontline services to communities experiencing economic injustice. 
• Understand how economic systems contribute to the challenges people face.
• Have a track record of working towards longer-term systems change.
• Have an annual income between £50,000 and £1.5 million.
• Deliver charitable activities that benefit Londoners.

Funding Priorities

The programme will support organisations working in one or more of the following areas:

1. Building Shared Understanding of the Economy

Supporting communities to understand the root causes of economic injustice and work collectively to create alternatives and influence change. This may include community education, organising, workshops and awareness-raising activities. 

2. Securing the Basics Everyone Needs

Protecting and improving access to essentials such as housing, food, energy, healthcare, care services and decent work through advocacy, campaigning and community action. 

3. Giving Communities More Power

Helping communities gain greater control over decisions, assets, land, buildings, services and local economic development through democratic participation and community ownership.

What Funding Can Be Used For?

The fund offers core and flexible funding, meaning grants can support your wider organisational work, including:

• Staffing costs
• Overheads and operational expenses
• Community engagement activities
• Programme delivery
• Organisational development and sustainability

The focus is on helping organisations achieve meaningful, long-term change rather than supporting only specific projects. 

Key Dates

• Applications open: 22 September 2026
• Application deadline: 12 noon, Tuesday 3 November 2026 
• Grant duration: Five years

Find Out More

A pre-application webinar will help organisations understand the fund, eligibility criteria and application process. City Bridge Foundation encourages all prospective applicants to attend.

For full guidance, eligibility requirements and application details, visit the City Bridge Foundation funding page:

https://www.citybridgefoundation.org.uk/funding/economic-justice/communities-building-economic-change