The Spark Arts for Children
Analysis
The Spark Arts for Children is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Leicester. It was registered in November 2004, 22 years ago. Its declared purposes cover 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 05254229). It says it provides services.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The Spark Arts for Children reported income of £534k and spending of £376k, leaving 30% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £407k to £534k (+31%), an average of +7.0% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income rose by 73%. Over the whole period it spent 92% 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 Spark Arts for Children sits at the 92nd percentile: it is larger than about 92% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 90th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Folkestone Leas Lift Company CIO (£534k), Creative Youth (£534k) and Broughton Community and Sports Association (£532k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 64% and donations and legacies 35%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £189k. Charitable activities took 100% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £119k would cover about 4 months of spending at that rate. It employed 7 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Legacies 35%
- Charitable activities 64%
- Investments 0.4%
In the charity's own words
The Spark gives children opportunities to immerse themselves in the arts by experiencing a wide range of high quality work that inspires, empowers and educates. Through an annual festival, cultural education & community programmes and production of our own work we offer children the space to discover their own skills, passions and potential, as audiences, participants & creators of their own art.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Folkestone Leas Lift Company CIO | Kent | £534k |
| Creative Youth | Surrey | £534k |
| Broughton Community and Sports Association | Brigg | £532k |
| The London Welsh Centre Trust | London | £535k |