Merton Music Foundation
Analysis
Merton Music Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in September 1991, 35 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02590621). It says it provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending August 2025, Merton Music Foundation reported income of £1.7m and spending of £1.6m, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from August 2021 to August 2025, income grew from £1.1m to £1.7m (+57%), an average of +12% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to August 2024, when income rose by 23%. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Merton Music Foundation sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 96% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include National Children's Orchestras of Great Britain (£1.7m), British Friends of the Art Museums of Israel (£1.7m) and Chalke History Trust (£1.7m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 99%. Charitable activities took 99% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £250k would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 27 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 0.6%
- Charitable activities 99%
- Investments 0.4%
In the charity's own words
The principal object of the Merton Music Foundation is to "advance musical education within the framework of the arts for the benefit of the public in the London Borough of Merton and elsewhere". Our mission is to encourage participation, enjoyment and achievement by providing the highest quality learning opportunities in music and the performing arts.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| National Children's Orchestras of Great Britain | Bristol | £1.7m |
| British Friends of the Art Museums of Israel | London | £1.7m |
| Chalke History Trust | Salisbury | £1.7m |
| Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire | Sleaford | £1.7m |