2021 saw an escalation of the scale and complexity of the challenges faced by Londoners on low incomes. The individuals, families and communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic were those already struggling the most. London continues to experience the highest levels of in-work poverty, and in 2021 we doubled down on our commitment to ensure everyone earns at least a real Living wage. We also continued work to advance the rights of Deaf and Disabled people and tackle racial injustice.
We have a long history of funding the London Living Wage movement and there has never been a more crucial time to fight for everyone in the city to be paid a decent wage. In 2021 we awarded an additional £4.8 million to Citizens UK for the campaign to make London a Living Wage City.
Londoners continue to feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2021 we awarded £1m to 23 projects working to support people navigate some of the greatest challenges.
We continued to engage in strategic work on key issues where we can accelerate change to reduce poverty and inequality. Working in partnership with other funders, universities, organisations and grantees, focus areas have included Deaf and Disabled led initiatives, employment rights, better work for young black men, supporting design of a fairer social security system and promoting citizenship and integration.
We funded research on a range of key issues including the private rented sector, homelessness and welfare, a minimum income standard, Disability, young Londoners, single parents and more.
In 2021, we committed to social investments totalling £1.5m and agreed in principle three further investments totalling £12.5m. A further £97,000 was provided as grant support, both to catalyse new initiatives. Projects supported include Well Grounded Jobs and Micro Rainbow.
We continue to assist our grantees by providing online learning seminars, training on reporting and evaluation and communications support.
As a grant maker in the social justice space we have access to expertise on London’s social issues comes through the on-the-ground experience of the hundreds of groups we fund and our staff who work with them. We continue to work to provide vital knowledge and insight, through the research we fund and the ongoing development of London’s Poverty Profile.
Find out more about our year in 2021 by downloading the full Annual Review.
31 August 2022