About Foundation for Future London

Creating New Futures for East Londoners

East London never stands still — and neither do we. Foundation for Future London is an independent charity that connects people, ideas and investment to create real, lasting change. We bring together the talent and ambition of East Londoners with the opportunities, organisations and industries that can open doors and transform lives.

From Hackney to Newham, Tower Hamlets to Waltham Forest, this region is full of creativity, culture and potential. We help match that energy with partners who can elevate it — linking people to projects in the arts, creative industries, heritage, local environments, sport, digital and data.

But we’re not just a funder. We build. We support. We help people grow. Our programmes are shaped alongside local residents. We help people develop skills, build confidence, lead change, find safe spaces, tell their stories and influence decisions that impact their lives. Every project is created with communities, not for them.

Through the partnerships we build, East Londoners shape the places they love — and the places they will inherit.

We’re deeply rooted in East London. We work with more than 400 grassroots organisations, and through our programmes, over 35,000 people have accessed training, jobs, youth support and entrepreneurial opportunities. We make sure that everything we do leads to real benefits by staying focused on the needs and experiences of local people.

Since our launch in 2015, we’ve been listening, learning and connecting — in markets, community centres, homeless shelters, schools, libraries, studios and cultural venues. East London is home to more than two million people, and we’re determined to make sure that opportunities created here are open to everyone.

Our work is generously supported by Westfield Stratford City.

We are committed to sustainability, taking action on climate change and supporting a net-zero future in everything we do.

Read our statement on Why Environment and Sustainability Matter.

Vision

Across our four boroughs, we’re investing in people, places and ideas so East Londoners can build the resilient, thriving futures they deserve. With fair regeneration and real access to opportunity, we’re creating creative and social economies that are sustainable, prosperous and open to all.

Mission

• To be East London’s go-to organisation for partnership building, investment and programme design — creating real economic opportunities for the people who live here.
• To lead the way nationally in co-design, participation and capacity building, with a model rooted in lived experience and local leadership.
• To ensure our fundraising and grant-giving grow inclusive local economies, grounded in community knowledge, shared decision-making and trust.
• To bridge the communities around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with grassroots groups across our four boroughs, strengthening the networks that give East London its character and power.

Read Our Reports

• Strategic Plan 2024-2029 (full version)
• Strategic Plan 2024-2029 (4-page version)
• Annual Report 2023-24
• Annual Report 2022-23

See all of our reports

Patron

HRH The Princess Royal

Board

Sir David Bell, Co-Chair
Baroness Lola Young, Co-Chair
Abul Khoyer Hussain
Andrew Adedipe
Anne Mullins
Ciara Solmi
Hal Khanom
Joseph Lyons
Lauren Gee
Louise Jeffreys
Sarah Lockhart
Sophie Beagles
Vaibhav Negi
Charlotte Thomson

Board Working Groups

1. Communications, Marketing & PR Committee
2. Fundraising Committee
3. Risk Committee
4. Finance & Audit Committee

Community Ambassadors

Tiwa King, Lead
Jazal Babar
Katie Balcombe, Communications Ambassador
Zak Addae–Kodua

Staff

Sarah Nelson, CEO
Alice Devitt, Director of Fundraising & Development
Guy Kassongo, Head of Finance
Ashton Mullins, Grants & Programmes Manager
Amy Glass, Communications Manager
Rosy Awwal, Governance & Events Manager
Dimeji Garber, Corporate Partnerships Manager