FOUNDATION

CRIPPLEGATE
FOUNDATION
Grant Making in Islington
A borough of contrasts
Annual review 2007

Cripplegate Foundation – A Time of Change
Contents
Cripplegate Foundation – A Time of Change
3
Islington –Borough of Contrasts
5
Effective Grant Making
7
Grant Making for others
12
Taking a closer look at our grant making
14
Plans for the Future
15
Grants approved in 2007
16
Financial summary 2007
19
2007 has been a year of change and reflection for
Cripplegate Foundation. A new staff team and a new
Chair of Governors prompted a fresh look at our work.
The Foundation has a long history going back to its first
gift in 1500. We value the history but we must ensure
that the Foundation is able to respond to changing needs,
values and aspirations. Our challenge is to provide for a
21st century inner London Borough.
We want to ensure our funding works hard for the most
disadvantaged residents in south Islington. The issues of
poverty, poor access to opportunities and social exclusion
remain at the heart of what we do.
We reviewed and agreed strategic objectives and
priorities for the next five years. We want to contribute to
a borough where the potential and aspirations of all local
people are fully realised. Cripplegate Foundation aims to
make a difference by being a force for change.
The Charity Commission has agreed that the
Foundation’s area of benefit will extend to the whole of
Islington and parts of the City of London in 2008.
2 3

Islington – Borough of Contrasts
“I am stuck in my studio flat with two kids; I don’t live in my flat, I exist. It’s making
me ill being there “
(woman with children – participant in Foundation’s research)
In Islington polarisation of incomes is marked.
In the Canonbury area of south Islington:
• The number of people with the lowest
incomes has risen from 31% in 1980 to
37.6% in 1990 and to 47.9% in 2000
• The number of people with the greatest
wealth has risen from 1.8% in 1980 to
4.1% in 2000
• The proportion of households classed as
not poor, not wealthy has more than
halved from 67.2% in 1980 to 23.4%
in 2000
There has been a startling growth in income
inequality over the past 20 years. Islington
has seen greater changes than almost
anywhere in the country.
From “Poverty in Islington” Research
Report for Cripplegate Foundation 2008
There are many sides to Islington.
It has some of the most expensive
housing in London and one of the
lowest levels of owner occupation.
It has high numbers of residents
who are educated to degree level
(40%) and similarly a high number
of people with no qualifications at
all (25%). In almost all indices of
deprivation Islington scores above
London and national averages. High
levels of homelessness and reliance
on benefits contrasts with above
average numbers of residents in the
higher professional and managerial
professions. Almost 6% of the
residents aged 16-74 have never
worked. It has more than double the
population density than London as
a whole and a growing population.
(Office for National Statistics –
Neighbourhood Statistics databases
2001-2008)
This is a borough where affluence
and poverty sit uneasily side by side.
Islington’s population has an above
average incidence of circulatory
disease and mental ill health.
Life expectancy is lower than that
for the UK as a whole.
Faced with these challenges our
task is to address poverty, improve
access to opportunities and promote
social cohesion.
Our aims are to:
• ensure that Cripplegate Foundation
is a model of good practice
through making effective grants
and evaluating the impact of its
programmes
• inform and influence policy
• increase our income so we can
serve the whole of Islington
Over the next 5 years we will:
• Develop our grant making
programmes in ways
which most effectively address
our aims. These will
address poverty, improve access
to opportunities and promote
social cohesion
• Be an agent for change
• Enable the Foundation to serve the
whole of Islington
4 5

Effective Grant Making
“The Community Projects Manager is central to LSO Discovery’s work with
local people”
Nick Jackman Grants and Friends Manager
Grants Programmes
Working with Schools
The Foundation supports voluntary
organisations working in south
Islington. Grants add value and
extend existing services. We develop
new services to fill gaps which
we have identified and support
new ways of working. We support
organisations including youth
groups, mental health projects,
welfare rights services and projects
for older people. All organisations
show a strong link with those who
live or work in our area of benefit.
They address one of the Foundation’s
priorities. It is important that
our resources benefit the most
disadvantaged people in Islington.
In 2007, 59 grants totalling £771,450
were agreed. (2006: 46 grants
totalling £792,010)
Grants have been provided to schools
in south Islington since 1997. The
Foundation values its relationship
with schools. Schools know the
communities they serve and help us
reach those who do not find their way
to other services.
Governors reviewed this programme
in 2007 and agreed it will continue.
It is now more closely aligned to the
Foundation’s priorities. £10,000 is
available for each primary school in
the area over the next three years.
In 2007 sixteen of the twenty nine
schools received grants to support a
wide range of new opportunities.
Bridge School – School Journey
London Symphony Orchestra Discovery
Cripplegate Foundation agreed a grant
towards the post of the LSO Discovery
Community Projects Manager. This
supports its work to bring creative music
projects to people of all ages, abilities and
backgrounds. Its programme includes
pre-school children, families, lunchtime
concerts for nursery groups, young
people’s digital music workshops, the
St Luke’s community choir and a music
club for adults with learning difficulties.
Members of the Orchestra support and join in
the programme.
In 2007 over 3,500 local people were involved
in music activities with LSO Discovery.
The programme has brought together local
people to make and listen to music.
£65,000 over three years
The Foundation recognises the
difficulty that many organisations
have in securing funding to
maintain successful services.
As well as funding imaginative
projects, grants are awarded for
core costs to ensure that the
residents of south Islington can
access high quality services and
opportunities. The Foundation
works with funded organisations
to support their development and
promote links and partnerships.
“Our children were included in activities
usually restricted to their mainstream
peers. We also provided important respite
care for parents and carers as many of our
pupils require 24 hour care. This was the
only holiday that these children had this
year. The children developed and enjoyed
their social interaction skills with the wider
community. They had fun”.
Milton Bevan The Bridge School
£14,663 over three years for specialist
school journeys
6 7

Effective Grant Making continued
“I think it’s a wonderful exercise and it gets you out in the fresh air,
and I think it’s very enjoyable.”
Ivy N. (86) on Walking Group
Working with communities
The Foundation has a wider role in
identifying needs, unpopular causes
and supporting new developments.
This is informed by knowledge
gained through our grant making
and involvement in partnerships.
We look to find ways to talk to
residents about what could improve
the quality of their lives. We aim to
bring together organisations which
are uniquely able to work with
different communities and fill gaps
in service provision.
Grants to Individuals
The programme is more than one
off grants. Applicants are visited
by an experienced welfare rights
worker, who offers advice
on benefit issues and links
residents to services such as
counselling, support groups
and sports activities.
In 2007 34% of applicants were
entitled to extra benefits totalling
more than £129,400 a year.
We know that it is not just the
money that can make a difference.
Residents tell us that poverty and
ill health isolate them from their
communities. 44% of applicants
were offered advice on extra
services.
Grants of up to £500 are available
to residents in financial crisis for
household items such as furniture
and washing machines.
In 2007 there were 142 grants
totalling £40,168
The programme is being reviewed
(2006: 156 grants totalling £43,627) in 2008 to increase its impact.
Canonbury Older Peoples Group
Cripplegate Foundation is a founder
member and facilitator of the Canonbury
Community Development Group. The
Group is developing a Neighbourhood
Management approach in the Canonbury
area of Islington. The Older Peoples Sub
Group consists of agencies which provide
services for older people in the area and
older residents. The Canonbury Fun Day
was organised in 2007. It showcased
activities that are available in the
borough – Tai Chi, Gentle Exercise,
Line Dancing. The Group asked over
100 people who attended what they
would like in the area. They told us
that they wanted more things to do
locally. New activities have now
started including a walking group
and cinema club.
£3,530 towards additional activities for
older people in the Canonbury area
8 9

“This valuable support has been essential to making the Peel Centre a community
asset used and enjoyed by those most in need within our local community.”
Rob Hamilton Chief Executive Peel Centre
“It’s one thing to provide activities and performances and quite another, we think,
to facilitate and foster real friendship, real contact between people, and real
community.” Paul Stansfield Chief Executive Claremont Centre
Peel Centre
The Peel Institute is one of the oldest
community organisations in Clerkenwell.
Housed in a purpose built centre it is open
from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. six days a week.
“Like many small charities the Peel does
not have the recognition of larger national
charities to be able to compete for
donations. That is why the support offered
by Cripplegate Foundation is so important
to us. At a time of increasing costs, funds
from Cripplegate for our core costs has
enabled us to be open to the community
for more than 3,500 hours and have 26,460
attendances at 3,970 activities in the last
12 months. These have included 5 days a
week of day care and activities for older
people, 6 days a week of activities for
young people, child care in term time and
school holidays, adult education classes
with a crèche and more than 300 activities
targeted at ethnic minorities delivered in
partnership with 14 community groups.”
Rob Hamilton Chief Executive Peel Centre
£60,000 over three years towards
core costs
Claremont Centre
The Claremont Centre has been running
services for local residents for many years.
Since 2002 the Centre’s work with older
people has changed. Membership has more
than doubled. Most new members have not
previously been involved in activities such as
Friday afternoon concerts, drama therapy,
dance, movement and art therapies. 80% of
members live within a mile of the Centre.
£43,075 over three years
10 11

Grant Making for Others
“I never really went to school, didn’t like it, but Sparkplug was great. I was their
best rider. I reckon I’d be in the nick if I didn’t go there. I’m a scaffolder now, got all
my certificates.” Charlie B age 19
Islington Community Chest
The Foundation manages the
Islington Community Chest small
grants programme on behalf of
Islington Strategic Partnership.
Over 43,000 Islington residents
benefited from activities in 2007.
It has involved over 1,300 volunteers
and funded 116 groups. Activities
range from festivals and events in
parks which bring together large
numbers of local people, to arts,
youth and advice groups providing
new and additional opportunities.
An event in September 2007
showcased the work of more than
90 groups funded by Islington
Community Chest.
Islington Community Chest has
provided opportunities for the
Foundation to work with a wider
range of organisations, notably
small and growing refugee and
black and minority ethnic groups.
St Sepulchre (Finsbury) United
Charities
This local charity provides pensions
and grants to individuals in parts
of south Islington. The Trustees
of St Sepulchre (Finsbury) United
Charities asked the Foundation to
distribute grants to individuals on
their behalf from July 2007.
Grants are for people over 45
who live in the old London Borough
of Finsbury.
Market Playgroup
Market Playgroup, based on Ringcross Estate,
provides play and learning activities for preschool
children. The group received funding to
run workshops and activities for parents and
carers. Sessions focused on learning through
play, speech and language therapy, special
educational needs and keep fit sessions
for parents.
“Parents now feel more confident to express
themselves and to access the help they need.”
Janet Abraham Playgroup Co-ordinator
Sparkplug
Sparkplug is a motorcycle project
supporting over 300 young people from the
Bemerton, Market and Barnsbury estates.
The group provides training and activities
for young people, including motorbike
riding and accredited mechanics courses.
More recently it has set up a youth club.
Sparkplug received Islington Community
Chest funds for its youth activities.
“ We have been able to reach more young
people and offer them something more
constructive to do with their holidays”
Martin Willis – Project Manager Sparkplug
Sparkplug, £4,890, December 2007
Market Playgroup, £10,000, June 2007
12 13

Taking a closer look at our grant making
Plans for the Future
We decided to take a more
systematic look at the impact of
our grant making. Organisations
and individual residents tell us that
they value our grants and that they
do make a real difference to their
work and lives. However, we are
keen to establish where there is a
lasting impact by evaluating our
programmes. This will then help us
in our future grant making.
Project, has started work and will be
fully operational in 2008. It provides
legal and welfare benefits advice
in community settings including
a youth club, schools, community
centre and a homeless project. This
model of delivering services will be
evaluated over the next 3 years.
The impact of our work with local
residents
The evaluation of key grants and
programmes has started to establish
new models of working and looks at
the benefits they bring to residents.
We commissioned an evaluation of
the work of the Xaaweely project.
Xaaweely provides services for
women in the Somali community
who are victims of domestic
violence. It is the only project of its
kind in the UK.
The Essex Road Advice Project,
modelled on the Foundation’s
successful South Islington Advice
We commissioned a research
company, Rocket Science, to produce
a report on poverty in Islington in
2007. This is based on evidence
gained through the Foundation’s
own grants to individuals, and by
organisations supported by the
Foundation including the Mary Ward
Centre, the Parent House, Islington
Bangladesh Association and Home
School Support. Interviews were
held with users of these services
and stakeholders. A steering group
of agencies is supporting the project.
The report will be launched in
autumn 2008.
Cripplegate Foundation’s
grant giving will continue to be
underpinned by a rigorous grant
assessment process. This is based
on visits to applicants which offer
advice on management, funding,
governance and development
opportunities. Individuals will be
offered welfare rights advice and
access to wider opportunities.
Importantly we will use the
knowledge and understanding of
Islington and its diverse population
to target grants to where they can
have most effect in improving the
quality of residents’ lives.
In 2008 we will:
• Improve and develop our grant
making through continuing to
review our effectiveness
• Launch the findings of the
evaluation on poverty in Islington
which will inform our work in
future years
• Extend our area of benefit to cover
the whole of Islington
• Identify funding to enable us to
work in the whole of Islington
without loss of resources in the
south of the borough.
We will continue to develop
partnerships to ensure that good
practice is extended and replicated.
14 15

GRANTS APPROVED IN 2007
Cripplegate Foundation Grants Programme
Increasing access to opportunities
and making connections
Wesley’s Chapel & Leysian Centre
For a Christmas Day event for older people £250
Latin American Elderly Group
For workshops and running costs £30,000
Angel Community Canal Boat Trust
The costs of a development officer £13,000
Barbican Education
The cost of film project
with two youth projects £4,000
St Mungo’s Association
For life skills and rehabilitation activities £17,500
London Symphony Orchestra
The costs of the Community Projects
Manager over three years £65,000
Work with primary schools
9 school journeys £10,974
4 TEXT Writers in School projects £10,000
2 Music projects with the Blue Pepper Band £2,000
5 Puppet Power Projects with
Little Angel Marionette Theatre £10,693
A drama project with Shape £1,151
2 residencies with an artist £10,162
A local history study week £1,000
A ballroom dancing project £1,000
An athletics project £1,000
A behaviour management programme £1,350
A mosaic project £2,500
The cost of 2 school home liaison workers £9,212
A global citizenship project £1,700
The cost of a Turkish community worker £2,962
Theatre Adad
A theatre tour of Islington schools
for drugs education £9,165
Work with secondary schools
A Somali textiles class £9,000
Social cohesion
Culpeper Community Garden
The costs of garden workers £22,500
Finsbury & Clerkenwell Volunteers
Running costs over three years £43,480
The Claremont Project
Running costs over three years
and the costs of a sprung floor £43,075
Islington Age Concern
Running costs over three years £72,000
Islington Bangladesh Association
Running costs over three years £60,000
Islington Pensioners Forum
Running costs £5,000
Islington Voluntary Action Council
Core costs £10,000
The Peel Institute Company
Capacity building over two years £60,000
Islington Voluntary Action Council
For a capacity building training
programme in 2007/8 £20,000
Home-Start Islington
The costs of a co-ordinator for South Islington
over three years £45,000
Rights of Women
The distribution costs of legal advice
publications for women £3,000
The Maya Centre
Provision of counselling for women
over three years £45,000
Reducing poverty
Islington Law Centre
Legal and welfare rights services in
Canonbury over three years £42,500
Mary Ward Legal Centre
Legal and welfare rights services in
Canonbury over three years £42,500
Somali Forum
The cost of capacity/support over 2 years £13,025
Thornhill Neighbourhood Project
The cost of management support £6,415
Transcend
Core costs over three years £24,336
TOTAL FOR GRANTS TO ORGANISATIONS £771,450
TOTAL FOR GRANTS FOR INDIVIDUALS £44,518
TOTAL FOR GRANTS PROGRAMME £815,968
16 17

Grant programmes administered for others
Financial summary 2007
St Sepulchre
(Funded by St Sepulchre (Finsbury) United Charities
from July 2007)
Islington Community Chest
(Funded by Neighbourhood Renewal Funds: Islington
Strategic Partnership)
2007
Funds
£’000
2006
Funds
£’000
TOTAL FOR GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS OVER 45,
LIVING IN FINSBURY £4,986
Islington Drug and Alcohol Action Team
Grant to Islington Voluntary Action Council £5,000
Neighbourhood Management
(Funded by Neighbourhood Renewal Funds: Islington
Strategic Partnership from March 2007 onwards)
Islington Law Centre
The cost of legal and welfare rights services
in Canonbury £20,000
Mary Ward Legal Centre
The cost of legal and welfare rights services
in Canonbury £20,000
St Stephens Youth Club
For additional youth activities £12,600
Rosebowl Youth Club
For additional youth activities £17,400
TOTAL FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD
MANAGEMENT GRANTS £70,000
GRANTS AWARDED UNDER £5,000
Community Support 30 grants £97,879
Arts/Recreation 30 grants £107,914
Health 6 grants £26,760
Education 35 grants £144,448
Environment 2 grants £10,000
TOTAL FOR GRANTS AWARDED
UNDER £5,000 £387,001
GRANTS AWARDED OVER £5,000
Art/Recreation 2 grants £18,000
Community Support 1 grant £10,000
Environment 6 grants £56,185
Health 2 grants £16,232
Education 2 grants £20,000
TOTAL FOR GRANTS AWARDED
OVER £5,000 £120,417
TOTAL GRANTS AWARDED FOR
ISLINGTON COMMUNITY CHEST £507,418
TOTAL FOR GRANT PROGRAMMES
ADMINISTERED FOR OTHERS £587,404
TOTAL OF GRANTS APPROVED
IN THE YEAR £1,403,372
Where our funds come from
Grants for onwards distributuion
Investment Income
Total incoming resources
How the money was spent
Investment Costs
Grantmaking to Organisations
and individuals
Governance Costs
Other support and publicity costs
Total resources expended
Net operating surplus
Gains on investments
Increase in the value of the funds in year
Total funds brought forward
Value of funds at the year end
Balance sheet
Funds and reserves
Endowment fund
Restricted
Unrestricted
743
1,532
2,275
186
1,403
95
310
1,994
280
1,053
1,333
31,621
32,955
31,536
48
1,371
32,955
584
1,375
1,959
157
1,324
336
65
1,857
102
1,914
2,016
29,604
31,621
30,648
16
957
31,621
This information is
extracted from the
full annual accounts.
The full accounts,
the independent
auditor’s report on
the accounts (which
was unqualified) and
the Governors’ Annual
Report were approved
on 2nd April 2008.
Copies of the reports
can be obtained from
Cripplegate Foundation
or downloaded from
our website
www.cripplegate.org
18 19

The governors and staff of
Cripplegate Foundation
Rob Abercrombie
John Broadbent OBE to December 2007
Deputy Stella Currie CC
Anne - Marie Ellis
Councillor John Gilbert
Rob Hull
Tom Jupp OBE – Chairman
Paula Kahn – Vice Chairman
Heather Lamont – Chair of the Finance and
General Purposes Committee
Judith Moran
Barbara Riddell
Revd. Katharine Rumens
Jack Sheehan to December 2007
Steve Stevenson CC to December 2007
David Sulkin
John Tomlinson CC
Joseph Trotter
Councillor Lucy Watt
Councillor Laura Willoughby MBE
to April 2007
Mark Yeadon
STAFF
Kristina Glenn
Deepa Craig
Chris Hobbs
Nadine Mulikusa
Geraldine Rees
Frances Thompson
CONSULTANTS
Geoffrey Buckingham
Jim Dunk
Tom Sterry MBE
Design: Lydia Thornley
Photography: Andy Aitchison
Printed by Tradewinds on recycled paper
Director
Finance Manager
Grants Officer
Administrator
Senior Grants Officer
Grants Officer
Canonbury Community
Development Group
Text: Writers in Schools Project
Financial Consultant
GRANTS COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Dal Babu
Frances Carter
Graeme Jones
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBER
Kate Rogers
CRIPPLEGATE
FOUNDATION
76 Central Street, London EC1V 8AG
Tel: 020 7549 8181 Fax: 020 7549 8180
Email: grants@cripplegate.org.uk
For further information on Cripplegate Foundation
visit our website www.cripplegate.org
Reg. Charity No. 207499