The City Bridge Foundation, a historic charity established in 1282 with the original purpose of maintaining London’s bridges, has come under renewed scrutiny for its current funding priorities and practices. Sitting on an endowment valued at approximately £1.5 billion, the foundation is responsible for the upkeep of five City of London bridges, including London Bridge, Tower Bridge, and Millennium Bridge. However, critics argue that while these key crossings remain in good condition, funds are being allocated disproportionately toward social justice causes and political campaigns rather than addressing broader infrastructure needs across the capital.

In recent years, the foundation has broadened its remit to include grants supporting various social justice initiatives. These have included funding for climate change projects, support for LGBT groups, efforts to address systemic inequality, and resources for migration and domestic violence charities. According to the foundation’s chairman, Paul Martinelli, these commitments reflect a deliberate repositioning toward “systems change” and structural reform in the community. In 2024-25, the foundation spent £12.5 million on bridge maintenance but disbursed £81.5 million in grants, with some maintenance projects deferred to future years.

This shift has attracted criticism from multiple quarters. Some observers contend the foundation’s expansive funding strategy diverts resources from the much-needed repair of other Thames river crossings managed by local councils or Transport for London. Several of these bridges, including Waterloo, Albert, Vauxhall, and Hammersmith, face significant structural challenges and closures, imposing hardship on commuters and local businesses. Critics argue the foundation, with its substantial endowment, is uniquely positioned to address these pressing infrastructure shortfalls but has instead prioritized politically charged causes.

A particular focus of concern involves the foundation’s grant allocations to the Muslim Charities Forum (MCF), an umbrella group for Muslim-led charities in London. In 2023, the foundation awarded MCF approximately £1.17 million for governance and policy development. This connection drew attention due to a trustee of MCF, Shuaib Yusaf, who also served as chief executive of the Al-Khair Foundation. The latter is currently under investigation by the Charity Commission over allegations of links to Hamas, the militant group responsible for the October 7 attacks in Israel. Al-Khair denies any such connections and has ceased its involvement with MCF pending the inquiry’s outcome. Legal representatives for MCF have emphasized that funds from the City Bridge Foundation did not support Al-Khair or its international aid activities.

Supporters of the City Bridge Foundation emphasize its role as one of London’s primary funders for independent and grassroots charities addressing systemic inequalities and community needs. They argue that the foundation operates within its legal remit and trustees have exercised prudence in balancing bridge maintenance with broader social investments. Moreover, as a private charity, it retains the autonomy to determine its funding priorities beyond its historic infrastructure obligations.

However, detractors, including some political figures, have called for a thorough review of the foundation’s governance and grant-making strategy. They question whether it remains appropriate for a charity created with a clear infrastructure mandate to engage extensively in ideological causes unrelated to bridge maintenance. Proposals have been made for the City of London Corporation, which serves as the foundation’s sole trustee, to reconsider or amend its charter to restore a tighter focus on repairing London’s river crossings, especially as numerous bridges outside the City’s direct control face deterioration.

As the debate continues, London remains faced with the challenge of maintaining vital transport links while balancing evolving community needs and the charitable foundation’s role in supporting social programs. The unfolding investigation into grant recipients linked to politically sensitive issues adds an additional layer of complexity to ongoing discussions about the stewardship of one of Britain’s oldest and most valuable endowments.