Christian Aid
Analysis
Christian Aid is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in September 2004, 22 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, the advancement of health or saving of lives and the prevention or relief of poverty, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 05171525). It says it makes grants to organisations and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Christian Aid reported income of £71.4m and spending of £77.0m, spending 108% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £86.4m to £71.4m (-17%), an average of -4.7% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 16%. Over the whole period it spent 102% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, Christian Aid 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 Anthony Nolan (£70.8m), British Pregnancy Advisory Service (£71.9m) and The Extracare Charitable Trust (£69.9m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 73% and charitable activities 26%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £15.4m. Charitable activities took 81% of spending and raising funds 18%. Grants to other organisations totalled £28.9m. Reserves of £14.8m would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 666 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 52%
- Legacies 22%
- Charitable activities 26%
- Trading 0.8%
- Investments 0.4%
In the charity's own words
We work with the worlds poorest people to tackle the causes and consequences of poverty. Our work is centred around our strategic change objectives: Power to change institutions; The right to essential services; Fair shares in a constrained world; Equality for all; Tackling violence, building peace. We work with others as part of a global movement committed to ending poverty and social injustice.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Nolan | London | £70.8m |
| British Pregnancy Advisory Service | Warwickshire | £71.9m |
| The Extracare Charitable Trust | Coventry | £69.9m |
| Amanat Charity Trust | Bolton | £71.9m |