London’s Giving is a new network designed to inspire Londoners to give to charities tackling hidden poverty, inequality and isolation in their communities.

Launched by London Funders and backed by City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charity, it also aims to help build collaborations between charities, grant-making trusts, London boroughs and businesses to find new funding and support for local causes.

Place based giving

London Giving has been inspired by several local giving campaigns. This includes Islington Giving, a partnership of funders, businesses and community leaders led by the Cripplegate Foundation to tackle hidden needs in the borough. The borough has areas of great wealth and areas of severe poverty.

Kristina Glenn, its Director explained what it had achieved. She said:

“Islington Giving has raised over £3.5 million in just over three years but it’s much more than money. It’s helping build a shared local identity, shining a light on invisible Islington where poverty and affluence sit cheek by jowl. It’s about action, unlocking Islington for many residents who don’t use the opportunities that the borough offers.”

Love Kingston

Other speakers at the launch event included Love Kingston and The Kensington & Chelsea Foundation, who shared details of what they had achieved.

Love Kingston is a community fundraising campaign in partnership with Kingston Voluntary Action and The London Community Foundation. It raises money for local projects through engagement with local businesses, organisations and residents.

This year on 14 February they held their flagship event, Love Kingston Day. They invited everyone who lives and works in the Royal Borough to “fall in love with their town” and raise funds for five charitable projects. The day has raised over £14,000 with around £20,000 of pledges still to be received.

 

 

Kensington & Chelsea Foundation

Like Islington, Kensington and Chelsea contains great affluence and significant pockets of deprivation. Since it was founded in 2008 The Kensington & Chelsea Foundation has raised £2.6 million, helping 78 local charities last year. For example, its Winter Warmth campaign asked residents who were in a position to do so to donate their £200 winter fuel payment to the Foundation to support older residents afflicted by fuel poverty.

London’s Giving aims to spread the message that, by bringing together new funding with local experts, place based giving will add value and fill the gaps. By sharing stories of what has already been achieved by local giving campaigns, it aims to help interested London boroughs to create their own locally tailored initiatives.