Nationwide Foundation

The Nationwide Foundation, an independent UK charity established in 1997 by Nationwide Building Society, drives systemic change in the UK housing system to ensure everyone has access to decent, secure, and affordable homes. With a sharpened focus since 2013, it tackles root causes of housing hardship, homelessness, and inadequate rental or ownership options through evidence-led, ambitious interventions that prioritize lasting policy shifts, innovation, and sector-wide impact over temporary relief. Its core values emphasize legacy-building, expert collaboration, and transformative solutions, operating autonomously despite its origins.

The Foundation funds three key programmes: nurturing innovative research and pilots for housing reform; empowering community-led housing models like land trusts, co-operatives, and self-build projects; and transforming the private rented sector via tenant protections, affordability initiatives, and market fixes. It supports low-income households, vulnerable renters, and marginalised communities through advocacy, capacity-building, policy work, and scalable pilots, favouring organisations with deep housing expertise and community ties, such as the National Community Land Trust Network or Generation Rent.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and community groups based anywhere in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), with no income thresholds but a preference for those demonstrating sector leadership. Grants typically range from £10,000 to £60,000 over 1-2 years, sometimes higher for strategic multi-year awards. Unsolicited applications are not accepted—funding is invite-only, with the Foundation proactively approaching aligned partners.

It excludes standard service delivery, unrelated capital appeals, non-housing causes, or short-term projects, distinguishing itself through rigorous focus on housing system reform, long-term partnerships, and policy influence for enduring national impact.