Freshwater Habitats Trust

Analysis

Freshwater Habitats Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Oxford. It was registered in January 2005, 21 years ago. Its declared purposes cover environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under environment and conservation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 05317683). It says it provides services, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.

In the financial year ending March 2026, Freshwater Habitats Trust reported income of £3.0m and spending of £3.3m, spending 108% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2022 to March 2026, income grew from £1.3m to £3.0m (+127%), an average of +23% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 115%. Over the whole period it spent 98% of the income it received.

Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, Freshwater Habitats Trust sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 97% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 97th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Trebah Garden Trust (£3.0m), Fly Navy Heritage Trust Limited (£3.0m) and The Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Limited (£3.0m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 54% and charitable activities 45%. Charitable activities took 97% of spending and raising funds 2.9%. Reserves of £857k would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 45 people.