Trust for London

Trust for London, an independent charitable foundation established in 1891 as the City Parochial Foundation and renamed in 2010, drives lasting economic and social justice for Londoners facing poverty, marginalisation, and discrimination. Rooted in addressing inequality's structural causes, it shifted from direct aid to advocacy, policy change, and system transformation, guided by values of independence, integrity, transparency, innovation, and calculated risks in neglected areas. Distinctive as a London-exclusive, place-based funder, it combines £10 million annual grants with social impact investments (10% of endowment), property ownership like Resource for London, and support for grassroots to policy-level work led by those with lived experience.

It prioritises economic justice—decent work, social security, ending the poverty premium, and housing solutions—and social justice, including amplifying under-represented voices, countering discrimination, protecting migrants' rights, advancing gender justice, building community power, and safeguarding civil liberties. Funding targets direct services, advocacy, research, organisational development, core costs, and salaries for organisations benefiting London's deprived communities, exemplified by support for Micro Rainbow, Living Wage Foundation, Shelter, and Migrants' Rights Network.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and community groups based in and serving Greater London only, with no income thresholds but a focus on anti-poverty alignment; grassroots to larger entities qualify. Applications start with an online eligibility quiz, optional grants manager chat, and expression of interest (EOI), progressing to full proposals if shortlisted (decisions in 2-4 months); rolling basis, one per year, with specialist funds like Racial or Disability Justice having separate calls. Typical grants are £40,000-£80,000 annually (1-5 years), rarely over £250,000. Exclusions cover proselytising faith work, political parties, statutory duplicates, and capital projects, setting it apart through exclusive London focus and dual grant-investment model for systemic impact.