The Bishopsgate Foundation
Analysis
The Bishopsgate Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in March 2002, 24 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 04362659). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides services.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The Bishopsgate Foundation reported income of £1.6m and spending of £3.1m, spending 196% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £2.6m to £1.6m (-39%), an average of -12% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income dropped by 45%. Over the whole period it spent 188% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The Bishopsgate Foundation 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 95th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include INTBAU Ltd (£1.6m), Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children's Books (£1.6m) and Set Centre (£1.6m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from investments 48%, trading 40% and charitable activities 11%. Charitable activities took 50% of spending and raising funds 41%. It employed 26 people.
Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 0.5%
- Charitable activities 11%
- Trading 40%
- Investments 48%
- Other 0.3%
In the charity's own words
Bishopsgate Institute provides:A programme of short courses for adultsA programme of cultural events including talks, debates, concerts and performancesA specialist library holding collections concerned with the history of London, the East End, the labour and co-operative movements, freethought and humanismA Community Programme providing financial support to local people in need.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| INTBAU Ltd | London | £1.6m |
| Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children's Books | Newcastle Upon Tyne | £1.6m |
| Set Centre | London | £1.6m |
| Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Limited | Worcestershire | £1.6m |