The Rivers Trust
Analysis
The Rivers Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Callington. It was registered in December 2004, 22 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under environment and conservation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 05136671). It says it provides advocacy/advice/information and acts as an umbrella or resource body.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Rivers Trust reported income of £10.5m and spending of £10.3m, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £3.8m to £10.5m (+177%), an average of +29% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income rose by 51%. Over the whole period it spent 100% of the income it received.
Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, The Rivers Trust sits at the 99th 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 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Conservation Volunteers (£10.1m), The Institution of Chemical Engineers (£10.6m) and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (£9.9m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 81%, trading 12%, donations and legacies 6.1% and investments 1.1%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £27k. Charitable activities took 88% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Grants to other organisations totalled £2.8m. Reserves of £1.2m would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 82 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 5.8%
- Legacies 0.3%
- Charitable activities 81%
- Trading 12%
- Investments 1.1%
In the charity's own words
To advance the understanding of water management, leading to sustainable environmental improvement, and the understanding of rivers, their flora and fauna, based on integrated catchment management and the ecosystem approach. To promote rivers trusts at a national level; to provide support for emerging, new and established trusts on generic issues affecting rivers trusts.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Conservation Volunteers | South Yorkshire | £10.1m |
| The Institution of Chemical Engineers | Rugby | £10.6m |
| Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust | Southampton | £9.9m |
| Climate Bonds Initiative | London | £10.9m |