Cardboard Citizens
Analysis
Cardboard Citizens is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in November 1994, 32 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and other charitable purposes, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02938531). It says it provides services, provides advocacy/advice/information and acts as an umbrella or resource body.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Cardboard Citizens reported income of £858k and spending of £934k, spending 109% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £1.3m to £858k (-31%), an average of -9.0% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income dropped by 28%. Over the whole period it spent 104% 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, Cardboard Citizens sits at the 94th percentile: it is larger than about 94% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 93rd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include First Story Limited (£858k), Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum Trust Limited (£861k) and Proposition Rthapoe Ltd (£857k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 78% and charitable activities 21%. Charitable activities took 81% of spending and raising funds 19%. Reserves of £450k would cover about 6 months of spending at that rate. It employed 12 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 78%
- Charitable activities 21%
- Trading 0.0%
- Investments 1.0%
In the charity's own words
Our mission is to use theatre combined with information, advice and guidance to inspire and support those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. We act as a catalyst for people to make changes in their lives. We also aim to improve public understanding and awareness by creating and performing works about the experiences of homeless and socially excluded people, with those people.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| First Story Limited | London | £858k |
| Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum Trust Limited | Widnes | £861k |
| Proposition Rthapoe Ltd | London | £857k |
| Wysing Arts Charity | Cambridge | £863k |