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Supporting your charity’s green future

Where to find help.

Planning a green project? You do not have to do it alone.

Improving the energy efficiency of your buildings can transform the comfort, affordability, and long term sustainability of the spaces you rely on. But navigating retrofit options, grant funding, compliance requirements, and technical delivery can be complex — especially when resources are tight and capacity is stretched.

The good news is that charities do not have to face this challenge alone. Across the UK, a range of specialist organisations exist to support you. From retrofit advice to expert property guidance and energy procurement support, trusted partners can help you make informed decisions.

Here we highlight three organisations that can offer practical support and insight — alongside CAF Bank’s own green lending expertise. While CAF Bank is not formally endorsing the organisations listed below, we encourage charities to explore their services, carry out any checks they feel are appropriate, and consider other providers to find the best fit for their needs.


Why support matters

Retrofitting and decarbonising charity property is not a simple task. It requires sound planning, technical understanding, and a clear view of funding options. The process is often shaped by:

  • The complexity of older buildings
  • The need to balance cost efficiency and sustainability
  • Evolving regulations and compliance requirements
  • The operational realities of keeping services running during upgrades

Accessing trusted advice early can reduce risk, improve project outcomes and build trustee confidence. The following organisations bring deep expertise to help charities make progress with clarity and purpose.


Organisations that can offer support

Changeworks

Changeworks is one of the UK’s leading environmental charities, supporting organisations —particularly charities and housing providers aiming to decarbonise their property portfolios or undertake major energy efficiency upgrades — with specialist expertise in energy efficiency and low carbon solutions. They work closely with housing associations, local authorities, and community groups to plan and deliver effective retrofit programmes.

How they can help:

  • Technical consultancy and energy modelling
  • Retrofit project planning and delivery
  • Tenant engagement and behaviour change support
  • Carbon assessments and sustainability reporting

Ethical Property Foundation

The Ethical Property Foundation supports charities — especially those navigating property decisions for the first time or looking to adapt or improve their existing buildings — with free and affordable guidance on all aspects of property management. Their advice helps organisations make confident, informed decisions around leases, ownership, compliance, and sustainability upgrades. 

How they can help:

  • Legal and strategic property advice
  • Support with adapting or improving existing premises
  • Workshops, webinars, and trustee training
  • Guidance on negotiating leases and understanding obligations


Utility Aid

Utility Aid is the UK’s largest energy broker dedicated to the not for profit sector, supporting organisations — particularly charities aiming to cut energy costs, improve efficiency, or explore renewable options — to take control of their energy use. They help charities manage and reduce spend, verify billing accuracy, and assess opportunities to switch to greener suppliers.

How they can help:

  • Energy procurement and tariff comparison
  • Bill validation and cost recovery
  • Energy audits and usage analysis
  • Advice on switching to green energy suppliers


CAF Bank’s role

CAF Bank provides tailored Green Loans that help charities and housing associations fund energy efficiency projects with confidence. Our approach emphasises transparency, alignment with environmental objectives, and oversight that is proportionate and manageable for borrowers.

What our Green Loans offer:

  • Funding that can be combined with grants
  • Support for a wide range of retrofit and energy efficiency measures
  • A Green Loan Framework aligned with recognised principles
  • Monitoring and reporting requirements proportionate to the size of your project
  • Clear eligibility categories to guide your planning

Our lending team will work with you to structure funding that supports your long term sustainability, giving you confidence to invest in greener, more resilient buildings.

Next steps

Every organisation’s route to sustainability is different — but trusted advice and clear funding pathways can make it simpler.

Here is how to get started:

  • Explore the organisations above to assess your charity’s needs
  • Speak to CAF Bank about funding options and how to structure your project
  • Continue reading the Green Loans Series for practical insights and case studies

If you are considering loan finance then our Financing the Future guide will help you get started. 


Charity assets may be at risk if you do not keep up with the repayments for a mortgage, loan or any other debt secured on them.

CAF Bank Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register number: 204451).

CAF Bank Limited Registered office is 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ. Registered in England and Wales under number 1837656.