The Cochrane Collaboration
Analysis
The Cochrane Collaboration is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in April 1995, 31 years ago. Its declared purposes cover 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 03044323). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Cochrane Collaboration reported income of £11.1m and spending of £11.9m, spending 107% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £7.7m to £11.1m (+44%), an average of +9.6% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income rose by 16%. Over the whole period it spent 102% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, The Cochrane Collaboration 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 Passage 2000 (£11.1m), International Water Association (£11.1m) and Bridge 86 Limited (£11.1m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 97% and investments 2.9%. Charitable activities took 96% of spending and raising funds 2.3%. Grants to other organisations totalled £682k. Reserves of £4.2m would cover about 4 months of spending at that rate. It employed 102 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 0.1%
- Charitable activities 97%
- Investments 2.9%
In the charity's own words
Cochrane is a global, independent, non-profit network of health researchers and professionals, patients and carers who work together to produce and promote trusted, high-quality health information that improves health and healthcare worldwide. Our mission is to produce accessible, trusted evidence and advocate for its use to deliver better, more equitable health for all.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Passage 2000 | London | £11.1m |
| International Water Association | London | £11.1m |
| Bridge 86 Limited | Welling | £11.1m |
| The National Childbirth Trust | London | £11.1m |