The Bridges Impact Foundation
The Foundation was established in 2009 to advance Bridges’ mission through venture philanthropy, social investment and charity.
This has been another exciting year for the Bridges Impact Foundation (BIF).
A particular highlight was the continued success of BIF's partnership with OnSide. The centres have welcomed thousands of young people since opening their doors, and BIF was proud this year to extend its support for a further two years. Another of BIF's venture philanthropy partners, The Difference – which tackles lost learning in England’s schools – also continues to grow its reach and impact.
Ahead of this year, the Bridges team had chosen gender‑based violence as the focus for BIF's venture philanthropy. BIF's pilot trial of the ‘Think Again’ programme, run in partnership with the Sex Education Forum, is now in its second year, and has the potential to lead to the UK’s first definitive trial of a school‑based intervention. BIF also began a new partnership with Killed Women, a campaigning organisation that has already established a powerful voice; while its partnership with Rising Sun came to a close after a successful collaboration.
This year, BIF's first bursary‑supported student from the Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors programme graduated with distinction and secured her first role in the industry. BIF is now delighted to be sponsoring another student on a three‑year bursary. We hope there will be many others who can benefit from this support in the coming years.
Video: About Rising Sun
BIF also continues to play a catalytic role in supporting the growth of impact‑driven approaches more broadly. This includes its investment into the SDG Outcomes Fund and three‑year grant to the Bridges Outcomes Partnerships platform – with the aim of creating the infrastructure for outcomes‑based commissioning in public services.
Looking ahead, the Bridges team has chosen ‘Tackling Child Poverty’ as BIF's next venture philanthropy theme, and BIF is currently exploring how it can best support impactful interventions in this hugely important area.
*The Bridges Impact Foundation (company no. 06864617) is a registered charity (no. 1129756). It receives some of its funding through Bridges' carry-holders, who have agreed to donate an amount equivalent to 10% of their carried interest.
