Alzheimer's Research UK
Analysis
Alzheimer's Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Cambridgeshire. It was registered in August 1999, 27 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes and 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 03681291). It says it makes grants to organisations and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Alzheimer's Research UK reported income of £61.9m and spending of £57.5m, spending 93% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £39.2m to £61.9m (+58%), an average of +12% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 19%. Over the whole period it spent 90% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, Alzheimer's Research UK 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 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Plan International UK (£61.7m), Framework Housing Association (£62.2m) and Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability (£60.7m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 97% and investments 2.2%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £21.7m. Charitable activities took 67% of spending and raising funds 31%. Grants to other organisations totalled £25.4m. Reserves of £24.7m would cover about 5 months of spending at that rate. It employed 269 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 62%
- Legacies 35%
- Charitable activities 0.4%
- Trading 0.5%
- Investments 2.2%
- Other 0.1%
In the charity's own words
Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. We believe in the power of research to defeat dementia. We fund pioneering studies that will make a difference to people's lives and we're committed to increasing funds for the next breakthrough. We are energising a movement to support and take part in research and to empower people through greater understanding of dementia.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Plan International UK | London | £61.7m |
| Framework Housing Association | Nottingham | £62.2m |
| Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability | London | £60.7m |
| Care South | Dorset | £62.5m |