The Social Change Nest powers safe, global grant distribution with Vouchsafe

The Social Change Nest provides fiscal hosting, grant distribution, grant management and capacity building support to change makers around the world. In 2025, they started using Vouchsafe for all their identity needs, including verification of grant recipients.

Stacey Ruggles, Communications Manager, explains:

What problem did you use Vouchsafe to solve?

At The Social Change Nest, we’re radically transforming the funding landscape and strengthening civil society.

As a fiscal host we move funding to the frontlines of social change, allowing funders to get their money to movements and projects of all shapes and sizes in different corners of the globe. 

Vouchsafe allows us to complete due diligence checks on those receiving funding by providing easy and accessible international ID checks. With a growing number of international partners and clients, Vouchsafe is an essential part of the smooth experience we hope we are providing to funding recipients. 

We also use Vouchsafe for our own internal processes, such as right to work checks for new colleagues. 

What was hardest about your previous KYC/verification process?

The process with our previous providers was often quite long, tedious, and manual.

It was especially difficult for users to successfully complete their checks due to very strict rules on lighting and accepted ID types, meaning they repeatedly had to go through the process until the check was accepted. 

What difference has Vouchsafe made since?

Vouchsafe has definitely saved us lots of time. With the process being much less manual, Vouchsafe doing any back and forth communications with the user, and the team always being on hand to answer questions, our team members have more free time and capacity for other tasks.

Vouchsafe also hosts regular webinars which help to keep us informed about changes in regulations/systems that could have an impact on us and how we do our checks, which is a real bonus.

Vouchsafe has also improved our service with our international clients as the checks became easier to successfully complete and included IDs recognised in other countries.

They are able to provide options if someone doesn’t have a formal form of ID, making sure that those who are often seen as vulnerable aren’t excluded. 

On top of this, we can truly say that Vouchsafe values align with The Social Change Nest and the work that we do, supporting those that are marginalised and increasing accessibility.

They work in a similar way to us in always striving to improve and update as they go, and have shown this by listening to what we need or think might improve the user experience and then putting it straight into action in their next updates.

Is there a particular story or example that shows the impact?

It has made such a difference in our enhanced due diligence process, allowing us to send funds to places that are typically seen as higher risk.

Using Vouchsafe has meant we can complete more rigorous checks in an inclusive and accessible way, and send money to people in countries such as Palestine and places across Africa and South America.

What made Vouchsafe the right fit for you?

We could see the values fit straight away, which is really important to us. The approach to inclusivity also resonated with us, as we know not everybody has access to formal ID documents.

Vouchsafe provides more options and treats everyone equally regardless of location, ID type, or the technology available to them. It has made our process easier and less time consuming, whilst also ensuring we remain compliant, and lowering costs.

They are a great partner, who provide excellent customer service, and we look forward to continuing to work together. 

Vouchsafe helps firms replace legacy document checks with easy, safe digital ID acceptance.

Are you in a similar situation to the Social Change Nest? Get a free 14 day trial of all features or book a conversation with Jaye Hackett, CTO.