Income at Access – The Foundation for Social Investment decreased by almost £6m last year, latest accounts show.
The charity provides finance for charities and social enterprises using funds recovered through the Dormant Assets Scheme.
Access recorded an income of £12.5m in 2025, the accounts show, down from £18.3m previously. Spending dropped from £24.6m to £17.8m over the same period.
Grant income at the charity also decreased, to £11.3m compared with the £16.7m recorded in 2024.
Access’ accounts say the decrease in the charity’s figures was primarily a result of its Cost of Living programme ending last year.
“Our £11m Cost of Living programme launched in autumn 2023 with the majority of deployment happening in 2024,” the accounts say.
“By the end of 2025, 12 partners had supported over 293 charities and social enterprises using trading models to support those hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis.
“In total, £19m of investment has reached charities and social enterprises.”
Charity costs include a decrease from £22.8m to £15.9m in grants paid, of which £1.4m relates to project management costs, down from £2.5m in 2024.
Access manages and promotes blended finance models, which bridge the gap between charities, social enterprises and social investors, the accounts say.
Blended finance costs decreased from £20.9m in 2024 to £14.6m in 2025, according to the charity’s accounts.
“Access is a lean organisation and works through partnerships,” the accounts say.
“The average number of staff remained 13 but we have focused more resources on our blended finance programmes and mobilisation work.”
