Whilst at university, our founders Alex and Jon were struck by the scale and complexity of the issue of homelessness beyond the sheer evidence of rough sleeping they saw across their city. As volunteers with local homelessness charities in Oxford, they spoke to a huge number of service users and support workers who all highlighted the same issue:
Impossible financial barriers are preventing individuals from making lasting steps out of homelessness.
With Greater Change, people can donate directly to a homeless individual’s specific financial goal, integrated into a long-term support plan, by connecting with their story online.
The Greater Change mission has been sculpted by the voice of those with lived experience of homelessness. We don’t assume what people need to take the next step in their lives, we listen and support. We believe a Greater Change is made when you respect the aspirations, autonomy and determination of individuals.
From a team of two to a streamlined and dynamic organisation, we are proud to say that over 1000 people have now been supported out of homelessness through Greater Change. We are constantly learning and ready to adapt to best help those in need at all stages of the homelessness pathway. Through empathy and respect, we are ready to support those across the UK make lasting steps out of homelessness.
Pilot begins, incubated by Oxford University Innovation and Aspire Oxfordshire. Greater Change receives a Points of Light award from the Prime Minister
Greater Change continues to grow and reaches the milestone of 500 people supported in total
Now over 900 people supported since GC started and rapidly increasing
By 2025 Greater Change aims to have supported a further 1500 people
By 2033 Greater Change aims to have supported 40,000 people in total
Greater Change’s end goal is to contribute to policy change and see the end of homelessness for good
By working together and supporting one another, we can create meaningful change in our communities and beyond. Join us in the effort to create a better world for all. Together, we can make a greater change.
Paul is an experienced B2B Marketer, having founded his marketing firm in 2012. He has been the Chair of Greater Change since September 2022.
Justin is a Biochemist. He has had an extensive Career in Bio-Tech Venture Capital and is a qualified chartered accountant.
Narada is an experienced Growth Marketer. He was Head of Growth at Adidas before founding his marketing firm in 2017.
Mel is the Group Director of Communications at Morgan Advanced Materials. She has experience in growing corporate reputations and brand development.
Sarah holds a doctorate in Medicine and is a Principal Licensing and Ventures Manager at Oxford University Innovation (OUI). She represents OUI as an observer on our Board.
Jonathan Elliott is an entrepreneur turned investor, and founder of Bionic (formerly Make It Cheaper) in the UK and Zembl in Australia. Both businesses were recognised in Best Place to Work and Fast Track Growth league tables. Jonathan is a big believer that great things can be achieved through the power of mindset; and that teams with a common vision, goals and the right mindset deliver amazing outcomes.
He was attracted to Greater Change as he witnessed the team there delivering amazing outcomes for people trapped in homelessness – doing this with an innovative model which put individuals in control of their destiny and builds their dignity. He’s keen to support and help accelerate this work by spreading the word and bringing more supporters to the programme.
Iain spent more than 30 years as a leading City lawyer specialising in M&A and equity capital markets. He was instrumental in creating the largest ever merger of UK law firms between CMS, Nabarro and Olswang in 2017 and headed the corporate group. He was also a judge of the Sunday Times Non-Executive Director Awards for many years.
He was drawn to Greater Change by the team's energy and drive to make a meaningful difference to homelessness and to educate others through data and evidence how to effect that change. He is keen to use his knowledge and connections to help the team achieve their aim to make real change to people's lives.
Ric is a physicist by background, having always been fascinated by understanding complex systems, but more broadly is passionate developing teams to act on that understanding and make changes that stick.
Ric is a Partner at Newton, having supported its growth from 20 to over 650 people over the last 16 years. Ric currently leads Newton’s work in health and integration, working with some of the UK’s biggest health and social care systems.
The opportunity to use his knowledge and connections to make a real impact on the issue of homelessness and improve thousands of lives through evidenced based approaches drew Ric to support Greater Change.
Our service advisors are part of the Greater Change Alumni Programme, which allows those who have benefitted from our work in the past to offer feedback and advice on how it can be improved. This feedback and advice is invaluable in maximising the impact of Greater Change and has led to us make many important changes to our service.
Greater Change’s funding comes from a range of sources including philanthropy, grants from trusts and foundations, individual donations, local councils and corporate partnerships.
Greater Change is a social enterprise which includes the Greater Change Foundation, a registered charity (Charity no. 1188164), and the Greater Change Community Interest Company, a not-for-profit (Company no. 11914487).
This dual structure safeguards our charitable mission and enables rapid scalability. Both entities work under separate and independent boards towards a shared goal of combating homelessness.
A set of agreements, including a cost sharing and licensing agreement, define the relationship between the two, guaranteeing transparency and clarity on how funds are spent.
Support as many people out of homelessness in the most efficient way possible
Exercising fiduciary control over funds donated
Donations from corporate partners, philanthropists, public giving and grant funding
Service user fund management, personalised grants to clients, fundraising
Generate surplus from trading activities and reinvest into the cause and community
Delivering effective operational support services to partners, service users and commissioners
Revenue from trading activities with local commissioners, grants from foundations incl. GC Foundation
Support work to service users, business development, community engagement, tech development
Lots of people have understandable concerns about the transparency and complexity of non-profit finances. At Greater Change, we pride ourselves on being upfront and transparent. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to go away and do your due diligence.
To this end, find our full accounts below.
Greater Change is supported by the following organisations for the majority of our professional services needs.
If you have any questions we could help answer
Please get in touch by emailing:
Jonathan@greaterchange.co.uk
Jonathan Tan, Chief Executive Officer
Greater Change is comprised of two sister entities, the Greater Change Foundation, a charitable incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission (registered charity number 1188164), and the Greater Change Community Interest Company (registered company number 11914487), a registered not-for-profit company. This dual structure was designed to ensure scalability and protect the integrity of our charitable intent. Both entities share a common mission to prevent and relieve homelessness and operate under independent boards of trustees and directors that work synergistically towards our overarching objective. A set of agreements, including a memorandum of understanding and cost-sharing agreement, delineate the relationship between the two organisations, ensuring transparent and cost-effective operation.
This approach ensures that as much funding as possible is directed towards helping individuals move out of homelessness.
Generate surplus from trading activities and reinvest into the cause and community
Delivering effective operational support services to partners, service users and commissioners
Revenue from trading activities with local commissioners, grants from foundations incl. GC Foundation
Support work to service users, business development, community engagement, tech development
Support as many people out of homelessness in the most efficient way possible
Exercising fiduciary control over funds donated
Donations from corporate partners, philanthropists, public giving and grant funding
Service user fund management, personalised grants to clients, fundraising *
At Greater Change, we take pride in our tireless efforts to address the critical issue of homelessness in our community. Over the years, our unwavering dedication and impactful initiatives have been acknowledged and honoured by esteemed organisations. This section highlights the various shortlists, awards and accolades we have received.