As a collaborative initiative, City Funds exists to make sure everyone in Bristol has the opportunity to thrive. Its aim is to create positive and transformative change in Bristol by bringing businesses, community organisations, funders and the public sector together, to share resources and help address key priorities in Bristol.
City Funds has strong links to Bristol’s ‘One City Plan’ and, as part of the initiative, BBRC has launched a new fund in conjunction with BCC and Big Society Capital Limited, with each investing £5 million.
With a vision to see Bristol transformed, City Funds focuses on four current priority areas:
- No Child Goes Hungry - addressing the root causes of food poverty
- Economic Inclusion – enabling all communities in Bristol to access employment, education and skills development
- Community Initiatives - including community-led housing, up-skilling communities to take on new assets and empowering community anchor organisations to increase their resilience
- Environmental Transformation - to support the transition to a carbon neutral, zero waste city and restore the health of the natural environment
The new fund will select and invest in organisations that exist wholly or mainly for the benefit of society or the environment, seek to provide measurable social impact in one or more of City Funds’ priority areas, are based in Bristol or the surrounding area and will deliver their social purpose in the Bristol city region.
The Burges Salmon team advised on the structuring of the fund and were closely involved in its establishment.
Anna says: “This is a hugely important initiative for Bristol, and the new fund can now invest into organisations that will help solve some of the biggest problems faced by the city’s communities. We are proud to be a part of this project and are excited to see what the future holds for its investment.”