The Historic Chapels Trust
Analysis
The Historic Chapels Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Cambridge. It was registered in February 1993, 33 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts/culture/heritage/science, environment/conservation/heritage and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02778395). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The Historic Chapels Trust reported income of £2.2m and spending of £2.1m, spending 97% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £282k to £2.2m (+664%), an average of +66% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2024, when income rose by 1893%. Over the whole period it spent 100% 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, The Historic Chapels Trust sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 97% 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 Punchdrunk Enrichment Limited (£2.1m), The Museums Association (£2.2m) and Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common (£2.1m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 94%, donations and legacies 3.7% and investments 2.0%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £50k. Charitable activities took 77% of spending and raising funds 0.4%. Reserves of £392k would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 1.4%
- Legacies 2.3%
- Charitable activities 94%
- Investments 2.0%
- Other 0.0%
In the charity's own words
To own for the benefit of the public generally redundant churches chapels meeting houses and non-Anglican places of worship in England of outstanding architectural and historic interest. To secure for public benefit the preservation, repair and maintenance of its buildings including and contents, burial grounds and curtilages..
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Punchdrunk Enrichment Limited | Middlesex | £2.1m |
| The Museums Association | London | £2.2m |
| Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common | London | £2.1m |
| Saffron Music Trust | Saffron Walden | £2.2m |