Migrant Help
Analysis
Migrant Help is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in September 2001, 25 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, the prevention or relief of poverty and accommodation/housing, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 04172880). It says it provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Migrant Help reported income of £69.8m and spending of £65.6m, spending 94% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £22.4m to £69.8m (+212%), an average of +33% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income rose by 50%. Over the whole period it spent 92% of the income it received.
Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, Migrant Help 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 Matw Project (£67.6m), The Harpur Trust (£73.0m) and Crisis UK (£67.2m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 95% and trading 4.4%. Charitable activities took 95% of spending and raising funds 4.4%. Grants to other organisations totalled £1.1m. Reserves of £14.8m would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 565 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 0.2%
- Charitable activities 95%
- Trading 4.4%
- Investments 0.4%
In the charity's own words
1 The relief of refugees and their families and dependants who are in conditions of need,hardship or distress2 to inform, advise and assist foreigners and Commonwealth citizens who are in difficulty or distress during their stay in the UK or in connection with their arrival or departure therefrom3 to promote the rights of refugees through the provision of advocacy and information.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Matw Project | Greater London | £67.6m |
| The Harpur Trust | Bedford | £73.0m |
| Crisis UK | London | £67.2m |
| Shelter, National Campaign for Homeless People Limited | London | £77.0m |