The Funding Committee of the City Bridge Foundation Board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 16 September 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on the Funder Plus Business Plan 2026-2035, budget monitoring, and grant funding activity.

Funder Plus Business Plan 2026-2035

A significant item on the agenda is the proposed Funder Plus Business Plan for 2026-2035. This plan outlines a strategic shift for the City Bridge Foundation's (CBF) Funder Plus offer, moving from an arms-length package of additional support to an integrated component of the foundation's relational funding and Impact and Learning approach. The proposed model comprises three parts: a Core Offer, Special Projects, and an open-access digital Resource Hub. The Core Offer, which will account for 70% of the resource, will focus on building power and influence, organisational strength, and connection, with prioritisation criteria to ensure equitable access for organisations facing greater need or historical underrepresentation. Special Projects (25% of resource) will involve tailored interventions for specific cohorts, allowing for testing new approaches and collaboration with other funders. The Resource Hub (5% of resource) will be a digital platform offering curated resources and tools. The plan details a phased implementation, with the Core Offer scheduled to launch on 1 July 2027. The report highlights potential risks, including staff capacity, equity of access, and provider performance, with proposed mitigations such as phased delivery and clear prioritisation criteria. The plan aligns with the foundation's Standing with Londoners funding policy and Bridging London Strategy.

Budget Monitoring and Grant Funding Activity

The committee will also receive a Budget Monitoring Report for CBF Funding Activities for the period ending 30 June 2026. This report provides a financial update on funding activities and forecasts for the financial year ending 31 March 2027. The approved expenditure budget for CBF Funding is £39.8 million, with £35.8 million allocated to grant commitments. The report indicates a revised grants commitments forecast of £32.05 million for the year, largely due to a reprofiling of spend to later years of the Standing with Londoners grant strategy.

Additionally, a report on Grant Funding Activity for the period ending 31 July 2026 will be presented. This report details funds approved and rejected under delegated authority, the remaining grants budget for 2026/27, grants spend to date, and any grant variations approved under delegated authority. It notes that 21 grants have been awarded from the main grants programme since the last report, with a total spend of £6.5 million.

Chief Funding Director's Update Report

An update from the Chief Funding Director will provide information on key areas of activity. This includes a report on a dinner at the House of Lords focused on embedding disability inclusion within the impact economy, and the Charity Commission's published guidance for grant-making charities. The report also covers the Institute of Voluntary Action Research (IVAR) report on the funding experience survey, benchmarking CBF's practice against these findings, and updates on the implementation of the End-to-End Review. Further details are provided on the internal learning programme for the Funding Team, learning visits, and the development of the reporting approach for Standing with Londoners. Updates are also included on the Climate & Environmental Justice, Economic Justice, and Access to Justice programmes, as well as social investment and enterprise development. An EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) update and a Media and Communications update are also scheduled.

Other Discussions

The agenda also includes a report on Outstanding Actions, which will provide information on progress. The committee will also consider the Standing with Londoners: Racial Justice Programme and Changing Civic Space, both of which are for decision. A report on Strategic Grant and Partnership: Advice Services Alliance and a report on Core Cost Conversions are also listed for discussion. The committee will receive information on the Social Investment Portfolio and an update on the Propel Initiative and Collaboration Circle.

The meeting will also address the exclusion of the public for specific items of business, as detailed in the agenda.