War Child

Analysis

War Child is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in September 1998, 28 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, the prevention or relief of poverty and overseas aid/famine relief, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 03610100). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending December 2025, War Child reported income of £19.8m and spending of £18.3m, spending 92% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £14.8m to £19.8m (+34%), an average of +7.6% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2025, when income rose by 51%. Over the whole period it spent 96% of the income it received.

Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, War Child 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 Lha London Ltd (£19.8m), Money Advice Trust (£19.9m) and Our Kids (£19.3m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from trading 53%, donations and legacies 29% and charitable activities 18%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £2,000. Charitable activities took 69% of spending and raising funds 31%. Grants to other organisations totalled £12.3m. Reserves of £3.4m would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 65 people.