The College of Optometrists
Analysis
The College of Optometrists is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in January 1997, 29 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, the advancement of health or saving of lives and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under health and saving lives. It says it makes grants to individuals, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending September 2025, The College of Optometrists reported income of £10.7m and spending of £10.7m, spending 100% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2021 to September 2025, income grew from £8.2m to £10.7m (+30%), an average of +6.8% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2024, when income rose by 22%. Over the whole period it spent 98% 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 College of Optometrists 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 Samaritan's Purse International Limited (£10.7m), Helen & Douglas House (£10.7m) and Keychange Charity (£10.6m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 94% and investments 2.0%. Charitable activities took 97% of spending and raising funds 0.3%. Reserves of £7.6m would cover about 8 months of spending at that rate. It employed 70 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 0.0%
- Charitable activities 94%
- Trading 0.8%
- Investments 2.0%
- Other 2.9%
In the charity's own words
THE COLLEGE IS THE PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND RESEARCH BODY FOR OPTOMETRY IN THE UK, PROMOTING OPTOMETRY TO KEY UK STAKEHOLDERS AND LOBBYING LEGISLATORS.WE FUND UNIVERSITY-BASED RESEARCH; DEVELOP GUIDANCE FOR PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT;PUBLISH A LEARNED JOURNAL; ARE THE SOLE UK REGULATOR APPROVED BODY TO ASSESS FITNESS TO PRACTICE IN THE UK;HOUSE AN OPTICAL MUSEUM AND OPTICAL REFERENCE LIBRARY.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Samaritan's Purse International Limited | Coventry | £10.7m |
| Helen & Douglas House | Oxford | £10.7m |
| Keychange Charity | London | £10.6m |
| Hertfordshire Community Foundation | Hatfield | £10.7m |