Looking for a UK Fiscal Sponsor?

Breaking Down Funding Barriers for UK Groups

Struggling to fund your UK project? Whether it’s supporting families in your area with essentials or launching a community initiative, unincorporated groups often face a hurdle: funders want a registered charity or bank account you don’t have. That’s where a fiscal sponsor, or fiscal host, as it’s more commonly known in UK, steps in. At The Social Change Nest, we’ve been a fiscal sponsor for UK changemakers since 2020, moving over £23 million to 600+ groups. Forget “fiscal sponsor” jargon—we’re your partner in making change happen without the admin nightmare. Here’s how UK fiscal sponsorship can work for you.

Why Fiscal Hosting Is Gaining Ground in the UK

The UK’s funding system isn’t always kind to small groups. Registering as a charity can take months through Companies House or the Charity Commission—time you don’t have when the need is urgent. Opening a bank account without legal status? Often a non-starter. It can feel like the deck is stacked against grassroots efforts. But fiscal hosting is changing that. It really took off in 2020, when the COVID-19 crisis sparked a wave of mutual aid groups across the UK—people coming together to help their communities fast. We stepped up then, supporting hundreds of these groups, and we’ve kept the momentum going. With over 600 groups hosted and £23 million distributed—much of it in the UK—fiscal sponsorship is proving it’s more than a quick fix. It’s a way to empower the ideas that traditional systems overlook.

What a Fiscal Sponsor Does for UK Changemakers

What’s a fiscal sponsor all about? We hold and manage funds for your unincorporated group, slashing through red tape so you can focus on action (See the full scoop on our What Is Fiscal Hosting? page). For UK groups, it’s a game-changer:
 

  • No legal delays: Skip the long incorporation process—we’re typically able to onboard new groups in under 2 weeks.

  • Access to funding: We bridge you to grants needing a registered entity.

  • Secure and simple: Your money’s safe—no risky workarounds.

    Since 2020, we’ve moved £23 million to over 600 groups worldwide, with a big focus on the UK, powering everything from climate campaigns to community support. It’s about freeing you up for your mission.

> Less admin more impact – Get started with fiscal hosting for your grassroots movement or community-led initiative. 

Real UK Examples: Fiscal Sponsorship in Action

Fiscal sponsorship isn’t just theory—it’s already working across the UK, making a real difference to the lives of people. 
 
Take Exmouth Community UK. When the pandemic hit, this crew of nearly 400 volunteers kept their Devon town afloat—delivering food, supporting vulnerable folks, and more. Managing funds as an informal group was tricky, so we stepped in as their fiscal sponsor. We held the cash, sorted payments, and gave them transparent tools to track it. They said it best: “Your support enabled us to help the whole of our town during the pandemic… and it’s been amazing to show off our transparent accounting.” No charity status needed—just impact.

Fiscal sponsorship isn’t just for local initiatives, we’re also the fiscal host for bigger national movements like Uplift. In case you’ve not already heard about them in the news, they’re the influential campaign movement led by Tessa Khan, who are pushing for a rapid and fair transition away from oil and gas production in the UK.

Why The Social Change Nest Is Your Go-To Fiscal Sponsor

We’re more than a money-holder—we’re here for your journey. What sets us apart?
 

  • Transparency you can trust Open Collective keeps every transaction clear (see How It Works).

  • A community boost Join 600+ groups on our Discord for ideas and opportunities.

  • UK-focused support We get local challenges—HMRC rules, small-group needs.
    One group told us, “We are ever so grateful to you for being such a wonderful support over the last 2 years.” That’s our style—reliable, collaborative, all about your impact. 

Could a Fiscal Sponsor Help Your UK Project?

Got an unincorporated group with a mission—mutual aid, climate action, a community campaign? A fiscal sponsor in the UK could be your answer. We’ve backed health projects, justice advocates, creative collectives—no formal structure required.
 
Not sure if you’re the right fit? Check out our fiscal hosting (sponsor) page to learn more, or drop us an email and we’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

How to Get Started with a Fiscal Sponsor in the UK

Ready to kick off? It’s easy:
 
  • Visit our fiscal hosting page to find out more and apply
  • We’ll set up a call to learn more about your group and make sure fiscal hosting is right for you
  • There’s a few adminy things, but I promise we keep them to a minimum! 
  • You’ll soon be up and running with transparent and collaborative accounting, plus you’ll be able to apply for new grant opportunities which you would have previously been excluded from!
A fiscal sponsor is more than a tool—it shifts power to UK grassroots. Traditional systems can block great ideas, but we’re opening doors. We’ve seen it: remove barriers, and people shine—communities grow stronger, change takes root. At The Social Change Nest, that’s our drive—supporting you to make a difference, big or small. Got a vision? Let’s bring it to life, together.
March 10, 2024
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