Last Updated on 03/03/2026
The City Bridge Trust is the funding arm of Bridge House Estates, one of London’s oldest charities. The City of London Corporation—its sole trustee—owns and maintains five Thames crossings: Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge, and the Millennium Bridge.
Bridge House Estates originated in the late eleventh century and was formally established by Royal Charter in 1282. Its original purpose was the maintenance of London Bridge, later extended to additional bridges as the estate grew.
For centuries, surplus income could only be used for bridge maintenance. However, in 1995, a new scheme enabled surplus funds to support charitable causes across Greater London. From 1995 to 2023, this funding function operated under the name City Bridge Trust. In September 2023, Bridge House Estates and the City Bridge Trust unified under a single working name: City Bridge Foundation.
Today, the Foundation is London’s largest independent charity funder, awarding approximately £20–£25 million per year to organisations working to improve lives across the capital.
Our Key Areas of Work
- Grant‑making – Funding charitable organisations across Greater London.
- Philanthropy – Encouraging and enabling a culture of giving.
- Social investment – Supporting organisations through investments that deliver social and financial returns.
- Strategic initiatives – Long‑term programmes addressing complex challenges faced by Londoners.
