The Credit Union Foundation
Analysis
The Credit Union Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Manchester. It was registered in February 2003, 23 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, the prevention or relief of poverty and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 04283557). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending September 2025, The Credit Union Foundation reported income of £225k and spending of £173k, leaving 23% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2021 to September 2025, income grew from £91k to £225k (+147%), an average of +25% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2025, when income rose by 39%. Over the whole period it spent 97% of the income it received.
Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, The Credit Union Foundation sits at the 77th percentile: it is larger than about 77% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 82nd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include B30 and South Birmingham Foodbank (£225k), Woodleigh Impact (£225k) and Particular Baptist Fund (£224k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
Advance education amongst the public in matters pertaining to credit unions. Provide education and training in the knowledge and skills pertinent to the establishment of credit unions.Relieve poverty amongst communities in need by advising communities how to establish credit unions.Relieve poverty by providing grants and other services to credit unions to allow them to extend their services.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| B30 and South Birmingham Foodbank | Birmingham B30 3HZ | £225k |
| Woodleigh Impact | Leeds | £225k |
| Particular Baptist Fund | Kent | £224k |
| Barnstaple Almshouses | Devon | £225k |