The Nationwide Foundation

The Nationwide Foundation is an independent UK-based charity established in 1997, registered under charity number 1065552. It was created by Nationwide Building Society as a fully independent charitable foundation to tackle social disadvantage, with a primary focus on improving access to decent and affordable housing across the United Kingdom.

Vision and Mission

The Foundation’s vision is for everyone in the UK to have access to a decent home that they can afford. To realize this, the charity takes a systemic approach to transform the housing system by supporting, testing, and evidencing solutions that increase the availability of affordable homes. It also seeks to influence policy and government action to foster long-term reforms in housing[1][2][3].

Key Programmes

The Nationwide Foundation operates through three main programmes aimed at changing the housing system:

• Nurturing ideas to change the housing system: Supporting new and emerging solutions to create truly decent and affordable homes.
• Backing community-led housing: Empowering local communities to take control of their housing needs.
• Transforming the private rented sector: Working to ensure private tenants have secure, affordable, and decent homes[3].

History and Development

• 1997: The Foundation was established by Nationwide Building Society as an independent charity dedicated to charitable purposes under English law. It also became the beneficiary of a charitable assignment scheme introduced by the Society to mitigate disruptions from potential demutualisation[3].
• 2013: The Foundation began its Decent and Affordable Homes strategy, sharpening its focus on reforming the housing system.
• 2021–present: In its current phase, the Foundation emphasizes strategic work to deepen understanding of the housing system and identify effective interventions for lasting change[2].

Impact and Contributions

Since its inception, the Nationwide Foundation has awarded over £40 million to more than 3,000 charitable causes across the UK. Its efforts extend beyond housing to address issues such as homelessness, financial exclusion, support for vulnerable groups including survivors of domestic abuse, young offenders, and parents[3][4].

Approach and Influence

Operating as a relatively small charity with ambitious objectives, the Foundation prioritizes tackling root causes of social problems to create lasting legacies that benefit future generations. It collaborates closely with experts, academics, policymakers, and frontline practitioners to base its interventions on robust evidence and insight[4].

Relationship to Nationwide Building Society

Although the Nationwide Foundation receives funding and support from Nationwide Building Society, it maintains full independence in setting its strategic direction and making operational decisions[2][4].

This summary encapsulates the Nationwide Foundation’s role as a key UK charity focused on housing affordability and social impact, highlighting its programmes, history, and systemic approach to creating social change.

[1] https://www.nationwide.co.uk/about-us/for-the-good-of-society [2] https://nationwidefoundation.org.uk [3] https://www.nationwide.co.uk/about-us/for-the-good-of-society/the-nationwide-foundation [4] https://nationwidefoundation.org.uk/about-us/ [5] https://www.nationwide.com/personal/about-us/giving/nationwide-foundation/