London Festival charity announces £10m funding package for new partnerships

A London charity, that organises The London Festival, has announced partnerships with four UK based charities to receive funds totalling around £10m per year.

Empower London Foundation has selected the Mayor’s Fund for London, UK Reads, Angel Shed Theatre, and The Access Project, to fund educational programmes, support schemes and community programmes that help Londoners from across the capital.

Marina Barros, Empower London Trustee said, “Getting to work with these charities is something that we’re very proud to announce at Empower London Foundation. The work that these charities are doing is nothing short of inspiring and we can’t wait to help provide funds that will allow them to continue their life-changing work in the communities that need it most across London.”

With all of the funds raised coming from The London Festival, these partnerships cement an ongoing relationship between the charities and Empower London Foundation, with the Foundation promising long term action to ensure continuity in funding.

The London Festival - which will showcase live musical performances, city-wide cultural events, and entertainment for the whole family - aims to raise £150m for charitable causes over the next 10 years.

Kirsty McHugh, chief executive, Mayor’s Fund for London, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Empower London for The London Festival. London is a great city. However, many of our young Londoners are still shut out of the opportunities on offer.

“Through collaborations like these, we aim to make sure that all young Londoners, regardless of background, are able to thrive. Our partnership with Empower London will help us provide healthy food and holiday activities, fun skills support, plus access to great long-term careers.”

Dawn Davis, executive director from Angel Shed Theatre, commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to partner with Empower London and through the London Festival to share the amazing work that our children and young people create.”

Nathan Sansom, chief executive of The Access Project, added: “It is great to have been selected by Empower London as one of London’s ‘brightest’ charities. Disadvantaged students in London have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic - and need our support now more than ever.

“We know our programme makes an enormous impact - this year over two-thirds of our students secured places at top universities. With future funding we can ensure even more students in London access our support and realise their full potential.”