Citi through its philanthropic arm, the Citi Foundation, is a Founding Supporter of Teach First, having helped to launch the organisation at the very start, in 2003. Citi’s support has driven exceptional change within classrooms and schools. 

In 2008 Citi and Teach First launched the Citi English Fellows programme – helping to recruit 400 Teach First English teachers to inspire pupils in schools in challenging circumstances through literacy. Citi challenged pupils to write a creative short story around a range of topics, including ‘The Value of Money’ to try and unleash their creative voice. The result: anthologies full of fantastic stories from pupils across the country. Each year, the young people were invited to a celebration day to give a reading of their work and meet their fellow artists. Swati Patel, Senior Vice President, Community Development EMEA at Citi, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Teach First in their drive to unlock the talents of young people from across the country.”

Citi’s commitment to improve the life chances of pupils from low socio-economic backgrounds continued in 2011 when the Foundation began supporting the Higher Education Access Programme for Schools (HEAPS) ‘structured interventions’. Citi’s support allowed Teach First to take sixth-form pupils on university insight trips, deliver workshops to support their university applications, and run a three day residential trip to Cambridge University in the summer.  

As a result of their commitment to HEAPS, and the range of other programmes Citi Foundation supports, in October 2012 Citi was announced the winner of The London Education Partnership Awards 2012 in the category ‘Investing in the future: Business Employer of the Year 2012’. The award recognised Citi’s focus on helping young people in London between the ages of 16-29 from low income communities to make the transition into higher education, employment and entrepreneurship. 

Business plays a crucial role in supporting Teach First to raise the attainment, aspirations and access to opportunity of pupils in schools in challenging circumstances. Citi’s support of Teach First since the charity was founded, both through financial support and expert guidance, has enabled us to make significant impact in our first ten years, and positions us to make even more in the next ten. 

About Citi Foundation:

The Citi Foundation is committed to the economic empowerment and financial inclusion of individuals and families, particularly those in need, in the communities where we work so that they can improve their standard of living. Globally, the Citi Foundation targets its strategic giving to priority focus areas: Microfinance, Enterprise Development, Youth Education and Livelihoods, and Financial Capability and Asset Building. The Citi Foundation works with its partners in Microfinance and Enterprise Development to support environmental programs and innovations. 

Find out more

Join us to work together to achieve our goal of closing the gap in achievement, access and aspiration between Britain's poorest and wealthiest children. We believe that our vision is achievable, but we need your support to get there. If you would like to discuss opportunities for your organisation to support our work please get in touch with Katy Miller, Head of Corporate Relations

Together, we can make a difference to the lives of children in the UK.