World Cancer Research Fund
Analysis
World Cancer Research Fund is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in October 1990, 36 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and the advancement of health or saving of lives, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02536180). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending September 2025, World Cancer Research Fund reported income of £11.9m and spending of £12.1m, spending 101% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2021 to September 2025, income grew from £10.8m to £11.9m (+10%), an average of +2.5% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2024, when income rose by 19%. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, World Cancer Research Fund sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Frontline AIDS (£11.9m), Citizens UK Charity (£12.0m) and Make-A-Wish Foundation UK (£11.9m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 98% and investments 1.6%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £2.4m. Charitable activities took 73% of spending and raising funds 26%. Grants to other organisations totalled £2.2m. Reserves of £6.6m would cover about 7 months of spending at that rate. It employed 58 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 78%
- Legacies 20%
- Investments 1.6%
In the charity's own words
To raise awareness that the risk of cancer is reduced by healthy food and nutrition, physical activity and weight management.To fund cutting-edge research on how the foods we eat, the amount of physical activity we do and our body weight impact our cancer risk so that our diet and health recommendations for reducing the risk of cancer are based on current science.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Frontline AIDS | 35 New England Street | £11.9m |
| Citizens UK Charity | London | £12.0m |
| Make-A-Wish Foundation UK | Berkshire | £11.9m |
| Imagine Independence | Liverpool | £12.0m |