What Islington Giving does

Islington Giving is a community-led grant-making charity and restricted fund of the Cripplegate Foundation, operating exclusively within the London Borough of Islington since its founding in 2010. The organisation raises funds from individuals, trusts, foundations, and corporate partners and redistributes them through a portfolio of 16+ grant programmes and resident-led panels, including the Make it Happen Fund (micro-grants up to £500), Disability Fund (up to £3,000), Catalyst Programme (up to £500 for low-income individuals), Young Jobs Programme (200-hour paid placements for NEET young people), Islington Food Fund, Going Greener Fund, Mind the Gap, and the Community Panel Fund 2026 (up to £30,000). A distinctive participatory grant-making architecture — comprising the Young Grant Makers, Golden Grant Makers, Family Panel, Carers' Panel, and Community Panel — shifts decision-making power to local residents, with 81 residents having distributed £870,000+ over the past five years through these panels.

The organisation's business model relies entirely on philanthropic donations, with 100% of contributed funds reaching local projects because the parent Cripplegate Foundation absorbs all administrative costs. Over £9 million has been raised since 2010, including £1 million+ from a decade-long partnership with Macquarie Group Foundation and a £250,000 Google.org grant in 2022 for the Islington Food Fund. Technology infrastructure is intentionally minimal: a standard WordPress-based website at islingtongiving.org.uk with Donorbox for donation processing, Google reCAPTCHA on forms, embedded Google Maps, and open grants data published via the 360Giving standard since 2016. No AI, proprietary platforms, or app products are deployed.

The 12-person team operates from a single office at 13 Elliott's Place, Islington, and reaches beneficiaries through a broad coalition of 27+ partner organisations, two housing associations (Peabody, Clarion), 34 Young Jobs Programme employers, and multiple corporate partners. Outcome metrics include 86 young people placed through the Young Jobs Programme since 2021 (43% securing employment), 3,000 people supported via the Islington Food Fund, 120+ charities transformed through CoRe and Mentoring Works programmes, and 12,400 volunteers engaged through Macquarie. The organisation is currently undergoing a leadership transition, with Victoria Benson announced as incoming CEO from September 2026, succeeding Sarah Benioff.

Name

Islington Giving

Legal name

Islington Giving

Website

https://islingtongiving.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Islington Giving is a community-led place-based grant-making charity and restricted fund of Cripplegate Foundation, operating exclusively in the London Borough of Islington since 2010. It has raised over £9 million through resident-led panels and 16+ grant programmes, distributing funds to local charities, residents, and NEET young people with 100% of donations reaching projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Philanthropy and Charitable Grantmaking

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), Fundraising & Annual Giving (EDALAOAB)

Keywords

• Community grantmaking
• Local philanthropy
• Nonprofit grantmaking
• Youth employment programs
• Participatory grantmaking

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Receives donations from individuals who want to support local community projects in Islington. Donations are channeled 100% to local projects as admin costs are covered by Cripplegate Foundation.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with local businesses including Macquarie, Central District Alliance, Business Design Centre, and others who provide funding, volunteering, and mentoring support.
3. Trust and Foundation Funding: Funding from trusts and foundations including Cripplegate Foundation, City Bridge Trust, Google.org, Portal Trust, and Cloudesley.
4. Appeals and Campaigns: Specific fundraising appeals such as Islington Neighbours Appeal, Winter Appeal, Mental Health Appeal, and Cost of Living Crisis Appeal.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Islington Giving is a community-led grantmaking organization operating as a restricted fund of Cripplegate Foundation. It raises funds from individuals, businesses, trusts, and foundations, then redistributes 100% of donations as grants to local charities, community organisations, and residents in the London Borough of Islington to address poverty, inequality, social isolation, and youth unemployment. It also runs resident-led participatory grant panels and an employment programme for young people.

Product overview

Islington Giving is a philanthropic coalition and restricted fund of Cripplegate Foundation that operates as a multi-programme grant-making and community empowerment organization in Islington, London. Its portfolio consists of grant programmes (Make it Happen Fund, Disability Fund, Catalyst Programme, Community Panel Fund, Islington Food Fund, Mind the Gap, Going Greener Fund), employment initiatives (Young Jobs Programme), and resident-led participatory grant panels (Young Grant Makers, Golden Grant Makers, Family Panel, Carers' Panel, Community Panel). Fundraising campaigns include the Islington Neighbours Appeal, Mental Health Appeal, and Crisis Appeal. The organization also maintains an Alumni Community for former participants and publishes grants data through 360Giving. All administrative costs are covered by Cripplegate Foundation, ensuring 100% of donations reach local projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Make it Happen Fund: Small grants scheme for Islington residents offering funding up to £500 for community projects
• Disability Fund
• Catalyst Programme
• Young Jobs Programme
• Young Grant Makers
• Golden Grant Makers
• Family Panel
• Carers Panel

Products and services

• Make it Happen Fund A small grants scheme for Islington residents and groups offering funding up to £500 for community projects that bring people together, promote health and wellbeing, and strengthen local connections.
• Disability Fund Grants of up to £3,000 to help Islington organisations become more inclusive for people with disabilities, supporting physical access improvements, staff training, and removal of barriers to participation.
• Catalyst Programme Awards up to £500 to individuals on low incomes to pay for opportunities that make a positive difference. Operated through 27 partner organisations in Islington including family, young, and adult Catalyst partners.
• Young Jobs Programme Jobs Placement Programme connecting young people and residents furthest from the labour market with paid 200-hour work placements at the London Living Wage, brokered through community partners and local employers.
• Community Panel A group of 12 local residents who decide how Islington Giving should allocate funding to benefit community health, with the 2026 panel focusing on health outcomes for children and young people.
• Young Grant Makers A resident panel of young people that decides how funding should be invested in youth projects and services across Islington, with support from The BIG Alliance and corporate mentoring.
• Golden Grant Makers A panel of older Islington residents who make grant decisions to support projects benefiting the borough's older residents.
• Family Panel A panel of eight local residents who shape funding calls and make grant decisions benefiting Islington parents and carers.
• Carers' Panel A resident panel focused on funding decisions for projects supporting carers in Islington.
• Islington Food Fund A fund supporting existing food aid providers in Islington to develop more sustainable models, distributing £250,000 over two years through the Islington Food Partnership.
• Mind the Gap Mental health, psychological and advocacy support fund for those at risk of homelessness, bridging gaps in support systems.
• Going Greener Fund Small grants of £500-£5,000 supporting organisations to develop, enact and evaluate greener approaches to their day-to-day activities.
• Community Panel Fund 2026 Grants of up to £30,000 for projects improving health outcomes via building skills for better health, targeting children and young people who are neurodivergent or experiencing mental health problems or trauma.

Quantifiable outcome

• 86 residents placed into employment through Young Jobs Programme since 2021
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Cripplegate FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent charity that established Islington Giving in 2010. Cripplegate Foundation chairs the board, manages all operational work, and covers 100% of admin costs so all donations go to local projects. Registered charity number 207499.
• The BIG Alliance (Businesses for Islington Giving)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership connecting businesses working in Islington with the local community. Provides mentoring opportunities for young people, workplace volunteering, and team challenges to improve community spaces.
• PeabodycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial housing landlord partnering with Islington Giving on Make it Happen fund, distributing micro-grants to residents on their estates.
• ClarioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial housing landlord partnering with Islington Giving on Make it Happen fund, distributing micro-grants to residents on their estates.
• Central District AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness improvement district that has supported Islington Giving, expressing commitment to addressing inequality in the community.
• Business Design CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal business partner with representation on the Islington Giving Board (Kate Vandenburg).
• LinklatersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted 'Value of Local' panel discussion on place-based CSR approaches, demonstrating commitment to local philanthropy.
• ELBAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity connecting businesses to tackle disadvantage through corporate volunteering, collaborated on place-based CSR discussion.
• London FundersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaboohi Bukhari from Place Based Giving Resource Hub at London Funders spoke at Islington Giving's Value of Local event.
• Open CreatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partner in Young Jobs Programme that has successfully converted placements into permanent roles.
• Derwent LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate company whose PROception division provided Young Jobs placements, supported participant Mehmet who progressed to extended internship.
• Almeida TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts employer partner providing Young Jobs Programme placements in the creative industries.
• Cook for GoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner brokering Young Jobs Programme placements and providing wraparound support to participants.
• Local Village NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner brokering Young Jobs Programme placements for NEET and marginalised young people.
• Peoples Place Community PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner brokering Young Jobs Programme placements for those furthest from the labour market.
• Creative OppscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner brokering Young Jobs Programme placements and supporting creative career pathways.
• Islington Bangladesh AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily Catalyst Partner awarding Catalyst grants to families they work with.
• The Maya CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily Catalyst Partner providing mental health support and Catalyst grants.
• MEWSOcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily Catalyst Partner supporting Middle Eastern women and families.
• St Lukes Community CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily Catalyst Partner providing community services and Catalyst grants.
• Home Start Camden & IslingtoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily Catalyst Partner supporting families with young children.
• Parent HousecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdult Catalyst Partner providing support and Catalyst grants to parents.
• Hillside ClubhousecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdult Catalyst Partner supporting people with mental health challenges.
• Islington MindcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdult Catalyst Partner providing mental health support and Catalyst grants.
• Help on Your DoorstepcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner distributing Islington Neighbours Appeal funds and running Good Neighbours Scheme to combat isolation.
• ParagonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partner in Young Jobs Programme that has converted placements into permanent roles.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Quartet Community Foundation: Regional community foundation covering the West of England that operates a comparable community grant-making model with named funds, donor-advised giving and place-based initiatives — a structural peer to Islington Giving's model.
• London Funders: UK membership body for place-based funders in London that actively promotes place-based giving models — directly overlapping with Islington Giving's coalition approach and referenced as a collaborator at its Value of Local events.
• Heart of England Community Foundation: Midlands-based community foundation running place-based grant programmes, corporate partnerships and community panels — directly comparable to Islington Giving's combination of grantmaking, donor engagement and resident participation.
• Brixton Reap: Lambeth-based community giving and grant-making cooperative with a comparable resident-led model, serving a neighbouring London borough and tackling similar inequality and inclusion themes.
• Hackney Giving: Place-based community giving scheme for the London Borough of Hackney operating an almost identical resident-led grant-making and small-grants model to Islington Giving, making it the closest geographic and structural peer.

Broad incumbents

• City Bridge Trust: London-wide grant-making trust of the City of London Corporation funding voluntary-sector projects in the capital — both a peer (in scale of London grantmaking) and an existing funder of Islington Giving's Alumni Community.
• Locality: National membership body supporting community organisations and social enterprises in England — overlaps with Islington Giving's mission of strengthening local charities and acts as a peer/partner in the UK community sector.
• UK Community Foundations: National umbrella for 47 accredited community foundations across the UK — Islington Giving effectively operates as an Islington-specific community foundation, making the network a direct strategic and operational comparable.
• The National Lottery Community Fund: The largest community grant funder in the UK, distributing hundreds of millions annually to community projects — comparable in mission (community empowerment, tackling inequality) though at materially greater scale than Islington Giving.

Others

• Cripplegate Foundation: Parent charity that established, chairs the board of, and operationally hosts Islington Giving. While not a market peer, it is a structurally integral adjacent entity whose strategy and resourcing directly determine Islington Giving's operating envelope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/isgiv/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/Islington.Giving
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/islington-giving
• Instagraminstagram.com/isgiv

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Islington Giving