We’ve put together answers to some of the most common queries we hear from applicants of our funding programmes, so you can find the information you need quickly and easily. If your question isn’t covered here – we’re here to help. Contact us at grants@cripplegate.org.uk or call 020 7288 6941.
To be eligible to apply for funding through any of Cripplegate Foundation’s own or partner programmes your organisation must:
- A registered charity
- A registered Community Interest Company (see Guidance)
- A registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation
- A charitable company or Social Enterprise
- A constituted organisation
An unincorporated organisation with a management committee of at least 3 people
Cripplegate Foundation only funds organisations working to improve the lives of people living in our area of benefit.
Please note that we cannot fund:
- political parties
- political lobbying
- churches or other religious bodies where the monies will be used for religiouspurposes/ promotion of religion
- work which does not benefit Islington residents
- individuals (except through our identified Partners)
- medical or academic research
- expenses that have already been incurred, projects that have already taken place
- residential care services or residential facilities
- general appeals
- trips/outings (unless part of a bigger project)
- debts
Yes, but not all our programmes are open all year. If your organisation’s income is below £100,000 you may be eligible to apply to Islington Council’s Community Chest (ICCC) programme, which is open for applications twice a year. See the upcoming deadlines and more information on the ICCC webpage.
Read about Islington Council’s Community Chest
Islington Giving offers opportunities for organisations working to tackle poverty and inequality in the borough.
The usual way is through the application form on each funding programme’s webpage. If you have accessibility needs or would like support with the process, please contact us.
It depends on the programme. For Islington Council’s Community Chest, your organisation must have a turnover under £100,000 (with priority for those under £50,000). You can read the full criteria on the webpage. For our Main Grants Programme and partner programmes (Catalyst and Resident Support Scheme), please check each webpage or get in touch if you need support.
Yes – our work is guided by the Cripplegate Foundation Strategy 2022–26, which sets out our long-term vision and priorities. Each funding programme also has its own specific focus. For example, Community Chest aligns with Islington Council’s 2030 Mission.
Each funding programme awards different levels of funding. You are strongly advised to discuss levels of required funding with a member of the Foundation’s Programme Team prior to submitting an application. Across our programmes, awarded grants currently range from £1,750 – £300,000.
Yes. Cripplegate Foundation will fund core costs of organisations. Your services must align closely to one or more of the Foundation’s funding priorities.
For Community Chest, funding decisions are made by a Panel made up of Islington Councillors, Cripplegate Foundation Governors, members of Islington’s voluntary and community sector and local residents. For other programmes, decisions are made by our programme team, often in consultation with community and funding partners.
This will depend on the funding programme. For Community Chest, applications are reviewed after the deadline, with decisions made around eight weeks later. Timelines for other programmes are shared on each funding programme page.
Once funding decisions have been made, successful applicants will received a receive Terms & Conditions form which should be returned to us as soon as possible. It must be signed by a member of your board, someone who has not written the application. After these are signed and returned, grants are normally paid within six weeks. We aim to make a first payment within a month but this can sometimes be delayed, depending on when Terms and Conditions are returned and our own payment cycles. We usually release payments every six months but we can be flexible if a group has a particular need. We’ll also meet with you to welcome you as a grantee and explain next steps.
We aim to visit all projects as part of the application and assessment process.
You normally have to wait one year from the date of application to reapply if you have been refused funding. If in any doubt, contact the Programme Team.
We are committed to providing long-term support to key organisations providing vital support to Islington residents. As a place-based funder, the Foundation believes in the need to support a thriving and stable voluntary sector to provide the best services for Islington residents. A member of the our team will contact you prior to the end of your current funding to discuss any further application.
Organisations funded through Islington Council’s Community Chest can reapply one year after their previous application.
Yes. Each funding programme has its own application form and criteria, but we’re keen to keep our processes inclusive and accessible. If you’d like to apply in another format, or need support with accessibility, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.
For Islington Council’s Community Chest, we publish diversity data in our annual reports. Our Main Grants Programme focuses on funding groups led by and for marginalised communities, but we don’t currently publish diversity data for this or other programmes. If you’d like to know more about the kinds of groups and communities we work with, we’re always open to sharing and hearing your feedback.
Absolutely. For Islington Council’s Community Chest, decisions are made by a diverse Panel of councillors, Governors, VCS representatives and residents. Through Islington Giving, we also run participatory grant-making panels like Young Grant Makers, where residents directly decide which local projects receive funding.
Yes. We’re proud to support inspiring projects and organisations across Islington, and we publish details on our website including our 360 Giving report, News page, Annual reports page, as well as case studies on the Stories page. If you have any questions or would like to discuss more, please get in touch.
It varies by programme. For Community Chest, in 2024/25 we received 79 applications, with 59% successful. Please see the funding programme’s webpage or get in touch to discuss more.
Cripplegate Foundation payout rates are budgeted annually based on the expected income from the management of our endowment (approx. 3%), minus costs of staffing and overheads. Cripplegate Foundation funding distribution normally equates to approximately £1m per annum. We aim not to accumulate funds over and above our stated reserves policy.
As Cripplegate Foundation pays for the majority of the overheads of Islington Giving, we aim to distribute 90-100% of funds raised specifically through Islington Giving as grants within 12 months of receipt. Islington Giving funding normally equates to approximately £1m per annum.
We are a London Living Wage Funder. As such, we encourage applicants to pay at least the London Living Wage to their employees, and to incorporate LLW into the budgeting of their funding applications.
At Cripplegate Foundation and Islington Giving we understand that generative AI tools (like ChatGPT or Claude) can be useful and help save time. We welcome the use of these tools to help you communicate your ideas clearly and accessibly. However, for the strongest chances of success, your application must be driven by human creativity, passion, and actionable plans. Read our full guidance here.