The Whitley Fund for Nature
Analysis
The Whitley Fund for Nature is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in July 2000, 26 years ago. Its declared purposes cover animals, environment/conservation/heritage and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under animals. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 03968699). It says it makes grants to organisations.
In the financial year ending June 2025, The Whitley Fund for Nature reported income of £2.6m and spending of £2.6m, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2021 to June 2025, income grew from £1.7m to £2.6m (+53%), an average of +11% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2023, when income rose by 22%. Over the whole period it spent 94% of the income it received.
Among 2,161 England and Wales charities whose main cause is animals and that reported income, The Whitley Fund for Nature sits at the 96th percentile: it is larger than about 96% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 97th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Oak Tree Animals' Charity (£2.6m), RSPCA Leicestershire, Peterborough and Rutland Branch (£2.6m) and RSPCA Llys Nini Carmarthenshire to Cardiff – Sir Gâr i Gaerdydd (£2.5m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 96% and investments 4.3%. Charitable activities took 90% of spending and raising funds 9.7%. Grants to other organisations totalled £1.7m. Reserves of £1.4m would cover about 6 months of spending at that rate. It employed 11 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 96%
- Trading 0.1%
- Investments 4.3%
In the charity's own words
Promotes, through the giving of grants, the conservation, preservation and restoration for the public benefit of the world's animal, bird, fish and plant life and of its environments/habitats.To seek out and support the best grass roots conservation projects in developing countries, including projects which serve the needs of local people as well as achieving conservation outcomes.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Oak Tree Animals' Charity | Carlisle | £2.6m |
| RSPCA Leicestershire, Peterborough and Rutland Branch | Leicester | £2.6m |
| RSPCA Llys Nini Carmarthenshire to Cardiff – Sir Gâr i Gaerdydd | Swansea | £2.5m |
| The Child Beale Trust | Reading | £2.6m |