London City Airport Community Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £75,000
• Grant Range: £300 - £3,000
• Decision Time: Twice yearly (rolling applications accepted year-round)
• Geographic Focus: 13 East London boroughs
• Registered Charity Number: 1182642
• Total Awarded Since 2019: Over £475,000 to 150+ organisations

Contact Details

Address: City Aviation House, Royal Docks, London E16 2PB

Email: Community.Fund@londoncityairport.com

Phone: 07936363119

Website: https://www.londoncityairport.com/corporate/responsible-growth/community-fund

Overview

The London City Airport Community Fund was established in May 2019 as a registered charity (No. 1182642) to support local charities and grassroots organisations across East London. With an annual budget of £75,000, the Fund has distributed over £475,000 to more than 150 organisations since its launch. The charity's main method of operation is grant-making, providing awards ranging from £300 to £3,000 to charities and not-for-profit organisations. The application process has been deliberately designed to be straightforward to attract grassroots organisations and smaller charities. According to CEO Alison FitzGerald, the Fund supports “one of the most diverse groups of charities” in the region, focusing on initiatives that improve quality of life in communities surrounding the airport.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £300 - £3,000 (rolling basis, assessed twice yearly)

• Applications accepted throughout the year
• Board of Trustees meets twice annually to assess applications
• Typically awards £35,000 - £42,000 per funding round
• 12-15 organisations funded per round

Priority Areas

The Fund focuses on improving quality of life in local communities through four strategic themes:

1. Building Stronger, Safer and Healthier Communities: Projects that promote community cohesion, safety initiatives, and health and wellbeing programmes

1. Creating More Sustainable and Greener Communities: Environmental initiatives, sustainability projects, and green community spaces

1. Raising Aspirations of East Londoners: Educational programmes, mentoring schemes, and initiatives that inspire local residents

1. Creating Pathways into Employment: Skills training, employability workshops, career development programmes, and job preparation initiatives

Geographic Eligibility

Applications must be based in one of these 13 boroughs:

• Barking & Dagenham
• Bexley
• Epping Forest District Council
• Greenwich
• Hackney
• Havering
• Lambeth
• Lewisham
• Newham
• Redbridge
• Southwark
• Tower Hamlets
• Waltham Forest

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, applicants must:

• Be a registered charity or not-for-profit organisation (not individuals, though the charity may make grants to individuals)
• Operate within the specified geographic area
• Align with at least one of the four priority themes
• Represent inclusive and diverse communities

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Board comprises representatives from London City Airport, local community representatives, and an independent chair:

Independent Chair:

• Duncan Alexander, London City Airport Consultative Committee

London City Airport Representatives:

• Tessa Simpson, Head of Environment and Technical Operations
• Liam McKay, Director of Corporate Affairs (former trustee - now with Global Airlines)
• Anna Boss, Sustainability Manager

Community Representatives:

• Councillor Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader of the Council, Barking and Dagenham
• Joy-Caron Canter, Centre Director at RDLAC, representative from Newham
• Councillor Kam Rai, Deputy Leader of Redbridge Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, Leisure and Culture

All trustees serve on a voluntary basis with no remuneration, payments or benefits received from the charity.

Leadership Quotes

Liam McKay, Former Director of Corporate Affairs (on the Fund's launch): “The themes of our new Community Fund mirror many of the values which we champion as a business, in the heart of East London. We want the charity to have real longevity and are excited to receive applications from a diverse range of applicants. Through these grants, the airport will make a real difference to organisations that improve and enrich the communities on our doorstep.”

Alison FitzGerald, CEO: “This is one of the most diverse groups of charities we have supported since launching our Community Fund and we hope this funding continues to make a difference to our local community.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year via the online portal on the London City Airport website. Before applying, prospective applicants should:

1. Review the Community Fund Grant Making Policy document available on the website
2. Ensure their organisation meets the eligibility criteria
3. Complete the online application form at: https://www.londoncityairport.com/corporate/responsible-growth/community-fund
4. Contact Community.Fund@londoncityairport.com with any questions or queries

Decision Timeline

• Application submission: Rolling basis throughout the year
• Assessment frequency: Twice yearly by Board of Trustees
• Typical funding rounds: Approximately every 6 months (based on historical announcements in April/May and October/November)
• Decision notification: After each trustee meeting (specific timelines vary)

Success Rates

While specific success rate percentages are not published, the Fund demonstrates strong activity levels:

• Average of 12-15 organisations funded per round
• Approximately 30 organisations funded per year
• Since 2019: 150+ organisations funded from a total pool of applicants (exact application numbers not disclosed)
• Recent funding rounds have awarded £35,000 - £42,000 per round from the £75,000 annual budget

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed. Prospective applicants should review the Grant Making Policy document or contact the Fund directly at Community.Fund@londoncityairport.com for details on reapplication eligibility and timelines.

Application Success Factors

Strong Alignment with Priority Themes

Successful applications clearly demonstrate how their project aligns with one or more of the Fund's four strategic themes. The Fund values projects that:

• Create tangible, measurable positive change in East London communities
• Support inclusive and diverse communities
• Have clear, achievable outcomes

Geographic Focus and Community Impact

Projects that serve multiple communities within the eligible boroughs or address specific local needs are well-positioned for funding. The Fund particularly values:

• Grassroots organisations with deep community connections
• Projects that reach disadvantaged and marginalised groups
• Initiatives that serve vulnerable populations (children, homeless individuals, people with disabilities, families on low incomes, ethnic minority communities)

Diversity and Inclusion

CEO Alison FitzGerald's emphasis on supporting “one of the most diverse groups of charities” suggests the Fund prioritises:

• Organisations representing inclusive and diverse communities
• Projects serving underrepresented groups
• Culturally responsive programming

Practical, Accessible Application Process

Former Director of Corporate Affairs Liam McKay noted the Fund seeks applications “from a diverse range of applicants” and the process is “deliberately straightforward to attract grassroots organisations and smaller charities.” This suggests:

• Simple, clear applications are valued over complex proposals
• Smaller organisations without extensive grant-writing capacity are encouraged
• Practical, implementable projects over ambitious, theoretical proposals

Specific Project Focus

Successful applications tend to support:

• Health and Wellbeing: Cooking workshops, mental health support, sports programmes, safe spaces
• Skills and Employment: Employability workshops, digital skills training, career development
• Community Support: Food banks, homelessness support, community centres
• Education and Youth: After-school programmes, youth engagement, mentoring
• Arts and Culture: Community festivals, creative programmes

Demonstrable Community Benefit

Review funded organisations' testimonials showing how they will use the grant demonstrates the Fund values:

• Clear understanding of how funds will be used
• Specific beneficiary groups identified
• Sustainability of impact (e.g., “continue throughout the colder months”)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Apply early and often: With rolling applications accepted year-round and decisions made twice annually, you can submit when your project is ready rather than rushing to meet a fixed deadline

• Keep it simple: The deliberately straightforward application process favours clear, concise proposals that demonstrate impact rather than complex grant applications

• Geographic specificity matters: Ensure your organisation operates within one of the 13 eligible East London boroughs and clearly state which communities you serve

• Align with themes explicitly: Frame your project around one or more of the four priority themes (stronger/safer/healthier communities; sustainable/greener communities; raising aspirations; employment pathways)

• Demonstrate diversity and inclusion: The Fund prioritises supporting inclusive and diverse communities - highlight how your project serves underrepresented or vulnerable groups

• Right-size your ask: With grants ranging £300-£3,000, calibrate your request to match the Fund's capacity. Projects requesting around £2,500-£3,000 appear most common among recent awards

• Contact them with questions: The Fund explicitly encourages prospective applicants to reach out to Community.Fund@londoncityairport.com with questions - use this resource before applying

• Read the Grant Making Policy: Repeatedly referenced in materials, this document contains crucial terms and conditions that informed applicants will have reviewed

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• William Kendall's Charity (Wax Chandlers Company)
• The Grove Trust
• London Freemasons Charity
• The Timothy Franey Charitable Foundation
• London Catalyst
• The Portal Trust
• Merchant Taylors' Educational Trust
• Old Possum's Practical Trust
• WANDSWORTH OASIS TRADING COMPANY LIMITED
• London Housing Foundation Ltd

References

1. Charity Commission. “London City Airport Community Fund - Charity Overview.” Register of Charities. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1182642&subid=0

1. London City Airport. “Community Fund.” Corporate Responsibility. https://www.londoncityairport.com/corporate/responsible-growth/community-fund

1. London City Airport. “London City Airport to support local charities and grassroots organisations with new £75,000 Community Fund.” Media Centre, June 2019. https://media.londoncityairport.com/london-city-airport-to-support-local-charities-and-grassroots-organisations-with-new-75000-community-fund/

1. International Airport Review. “London City Airport awards over £41,000 to local charities through community fund.” October 2024. https://www.internationalairportreview.com/news/230774/london-city-airport-awards-local-charities-community-fund/

1. DFN Online. “London City Airport confirms successful applicants for community funding.” October 8, 2024. https://www.dfnionline.com/latest-news/london-city-airport-confirms-successful-applicants-community-funding-08-10-2024/

1. Passenger Terminal Today. “London City Airport Community Fund awards £41,500 to East London groups.” https://www.passengerterminaltoday.com/news/csr/london-city-airport-community-fund-awards-41500-to-east-london-groups.html

1. Travel PR News. “London City Airport Community Fund Empowers Local Communities with £36k in Funding.” July 8, 2023. https://travelprnews.com/london-city-airport-community-fund-empowers-local-communities-with-36k-in-funding-799960/travel-press-release/2023/07/08/

1. London City Airport. “London City Airport distributes over £40,000 of grants from new Community Fund.” Media Centre. https://media.londoncityairport.com/london-city-airport-distributes-over-40000-of-grants-from-new-community-fund/

1. BBGA Association Limited. "London City Airport Community Fund awards £41.5k funding to local groups to support East London's recovery." https://bbga.aero/london-city-airport-community-fund-awards-41-5k-funding-to-local-groups-to-support-east-londons-recovery/

1. London Arts in Health Forum. “London City Airport Community Fund.” Funding Opportunities. https://londonartsandhealth.org.uk/funding_opportunity/london-city-airport-community-fund/