Overview

Finding new ways to tackle the housing crisis

Everyone deserves a place fit to call home. Yet with a shortage of new properties, outdated rental stock and a lack of support for the vulnerable, many people end up in unsuitable, unsafe, or unaffordable accommodation.

Decent housing is a topic close to our heart. In fact, it was central to how and why we began. It's also the reason why we launched our community grants programme: a chance for local organisations with great housing solutions to apply for grants of up to £50,000. Applications get shortlisted and our Community Boards come together to award grants.

Make a difference in your community

Applications to become a Community Board member has now closed. Look out for future opportunities in 2019.

Applying for a Community Grant

The window to submit an application for a Nationwide Community Grant in the following regions has now closed: London, South East, South West, Central, East of England, North West and North Midlands.

We’ll let you know if you’ve been successful by March 2019. We’ll be opening up applications for all UK regions in 2019.

Community Grants explained

Since members voted back in 2007 to use 1% of our pre-tax profits towards funding community projects, we’re now encouraging local solutions to the national housing crisis by:


  • welcoming applications from charities and other local organisations
  • allocating £22 million of funding across the UK over five years
  • providing individual grants of up to £50,000 per project to improve local housing issues
  • forming regional Community Boards, made up of local Nationwide members, employees and housing experts
  • Community Boards reviewing and awarding grants to a range of projects to tackle the housing crisis in your local area.

Play video - |

Grants awarded

So far we’ve awarded over £1,250,000 to 43 local housing projects in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, West Midlands and the northern region of England.

Why this matters to us

We only exist because a group of people came together to help each other save and borrow for a home of their own. Today, this spirit of mutual co-operation and community building still defines us. As a mutual run for the benefit of our members, our commitment to helping people have homes of their own is stronger than ever.

If you've got a question about our Community Grants, we'd love to hear from you.

Email us

    Back to Social investment

    Successful projects