This year’s first round of grants from London City Airport’s £75,000 Community Fund have been awarded to 15 local groups covering 11 London boroughs.
In total, £35,834 of grants have been distributed in this latest round of funding, providing a financial boost for local charities and non-profit organisations which cover issues and causes including mental health and the environment.
Groups benefiting in this round include Newham’s Women’s Talk, which provides coaching and support for women’s mental well-being; The River Roding Trust, which is revitalising a stretch of the river near Barking; and Grit Breakthrough Programmes which is working with marginalised 16-18 year olds in Newham and Barking & Dagenham to help develop the ‘grit’ to succeed and become contributing members of the community.
Each grant of up to £3,000 supports initiatives that enable positive and significant change within the community. The common themes across all the recipients, who were selected by a judging panel, are that they either:
- build stronger, safer and healthier communities;
- create more sustainable and greener communities;
- raise aspirations of East Londoners, or;
- create pathways into employment.
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Elise John-Lewis, head of sustainability and community engagement at London City and a member of the Community Fund’s board of trustees, said: “London City Airport has been a part of the community for more than thirty years and, during this time, we’ve worked hard to make a positive contribution.
“Now in its second year, our Community Fund is one of our most powerful tools for making that positive difference for local people.
“On a personal level, it’s really rewarding to be able to support so many fantastic organisations, doing such important work in the community.
“And I know my colleagues feel the same. Our hope is that this latest round of grants can boost these organisations’ efforts to empower people, bring the community together and make a positive difference to the area.”
More than 60 applications were received for this round of funding. Later this year, a second round of funding will be awarded in the same way. Applications are currently open and will close on 19 June, before grants are awarded in August.
Last year the London City Airport Community Fund awarded over £75,000 to 30 organisations.
