News

We’re excited to share that our Senior Advisor, Sally Hotchkin, has been longlisted for the Net Zero 50 List, which recognises UK leaders making a real impact on the sustainability movement. While the nomination recognises Sally’s leadership, it reflects the team effort at The Fore to build a community of like-minded funders to back more small charities and social enterprises specifically tackling environmental challenges with innovative, community-led solutions.

With Sally’s support, the team at The Fore developed a new way for funders to back high-potential, grassroots environmental organisations across the UK. Through our Autumn 2024 and Spring 2025 funding rounds, we awarded £180,000 in unrestricted funding to six exceptional organisations making significant contributions to sustainability and the movement towards a lower-carbon future: from marine conservation to circular economy models and regenerative farming. But it’s not just about the funding. Each organisation receives wraparound strategic support, including access to expert advice, skills-building and our Pro Bono Network to strengthen their long-term impact.

Proving Small Organisations Have Many of The Answers to Environmental Challenges

At its core, this work is about proving that small, community-led organisations can drive meaningful environmental change and building a funding model that helps them do it. These organisations are often overlooked by traditional funders, yet they’re the ones creating practical, community-driven solutions that make a real difference for people and the planet.

Take Knoydart Farm CIC, a community-run, organic farm on Scotland’s remote Knoydart peninsula. Accessible only by boat, the community’s food supply chain is vulnerable to severe weather, high transportation costs, and delays. With our support, they have hired a Farm Manager to boost crop production and realise their vision of locally grown, affordable, high-quality food for all, while expanding sustainability-focused income-generating workshops for the 30,000 annual tourists.  By strengthening local food production, Knoydart Farm is reducing reliance on imports and building a more sustainable, low-carbon food system for its remote community.

Building Momentum

We’re looking forward to meeting the fellow nominees at the House of Lords in November, when the final list will be revealed.

We will continue to shine a light on how local, community-led initiatives are a key part of the solution to environmental challenges, and to bring together like-minded funders who share our commitment to backing this work.

A shortlist of fifty finalists is being selected by a panel of judges, alongside a public vote. You can vote for Sally here.

Meet six exceptional sustainability and environment charities and social enterprises backed by The Fore, here.