London charity Camden Giving has continued in its mission of creating meaningful change and addressing local inequalities in Camden, as highlighted in its 2025 Impact Report out this week. Despite the worst poverty rate amongst all London Boroughs, Camden continues to be a beacon of civic engagement with residents, grassroots organisations and businesses coming together to foster collective power and drive meaningful change.
Enlisting the participation of local members of Camden communities in deciding how and when grant money has been utilised has been key in achieving the following successes across 2024/2025:
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131 projects funded at a total of £361,955 through the We Make Camden Kit – meeting the four core missions around Access to Food for All, Opportunities for Children and Young People, Diversity in Positions of Power, and Sustainable Neighbourhoods. One beneficiary is the Breakfast on the Steps initiative at the Swiss Church providing breakfast, toiletries and haircuts to around 70 people experiencing homelessness or financial hardship and run entirely by volunteers, many from the local businesses; building human connection.
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Equality Fund grants of £30,000 were given to eight organisations supporting work that focuses on racial justice and disability rights and inclusion. Grantees such as Creators House, who offer free access to a creative studio for young people fostering creativity, skills development and industry connections, and the ‘Box For All’ programme at Action Youth Boxing Intervention, providing fitness, mentorship and peer support to boost confidence especially amongst BAME beneficiaries.
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Through a long-term partnership with Google.org, Camden Giving launched the Future Forward Fund awarding four Camden-based organisations with grants totalling £100,000 to tackle the cost-of-living crisis focusing on young people through academic tutoring, a gang-exit programme and providing a trusted adult.
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Continuing to support Camden Giving’s growing community of 400 alumni to provide job training, housing and mental health support beyond alumni’s participation in grant panels or sharing expertise.
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Continuing to be uniquely placed to influence and improve practice across the funding sector; providing consultancy training and expertise for funders such as Start Well, Youth Futures Foundation and BBC Children in Need.
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Strengthening and developing partnerships with corporates such as Google and Moonbug – partnerships that go beyond monetary value but help to strengthen the Borough’s social fabric, empower local leaders and ensure Camden’s communities have the resources and knowledge to thrive and create lasting change.
Natasha Friend, Director at Camden Giving, states: “Over the past year, Camden Giving has worked hard to continue its mission of creating meaningful change and addressing local inequalities in Camden. Despite the ongoing challenges posed by the cost-of-living crisis and other factors, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to participatory grant-making – ensuring equity and opportunity for all.
“Camden’s communities continue to inspire us with their resilience and dedication, and we’ve witnessed remarkable community leadership, grassroots mobilisation and cross-sector collaborations that have driven tangible and lasting change in the Borough. We are proud to have facilitated and played a role in these transformative efforts and thank all our partners.”
Camden Giving Week takes place in the Borough of Camden 12-16 May 2025.
To find out more about the work of Camden Giving or to view the Impact Report with case studies, go to www.camdengiving.org.uk
