Voluntary ground rent initiative is a small practical step towards a stewardship economy. Started by Julian Pratt, Gareth Whelan and Jonty Williams, it seeks to demonstrate how stewardship could work. Through this scheme, a few freeholders of land choose to contribute a proportion of the notional ground rent of their land on a regular basis to a range of beneficiaries. Those who are tenants have committed to making ground rent contributions if and when they become land owners.
They are not alone. In 2018, Westminster Council asked all residents in their highest council tax band to pay a voluntary supplement of £833 per year to fund youth clubs, homelessness services and visits to lonely people. Three hundred and fifty households (2% of those invited) made contributions in the first year and the initiative continues.