The Society of St James

Analysis

The Society of St James is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Southampton. It was registered in January 1995, 31 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, the prevention or relief of poverty, accommodation/housing and other charitable purposes, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 03009700). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2025, The Society of St James reported income of £17.9m and spending of £17.3m, spending 97% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £12.0m to £17.9m (+49%), an average of +10% a year. Over the whole period it spent 97% of the income it received.

Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, The Society of St James sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. 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 Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (£17.7m), Open Doors with Brother Andrew (£18.0m) and Clarion Futures (£17.2m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 95%, trading 3.1% and donations and legacies 1.3%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £10k. Charitable activities took 99% of spending and raising funds 0.6%. Reserves of £4.5m would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 319 people.