The Story Museum
Analysis
The Story Museum is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Oxfordshire. It was registered in January 2005, 21 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 04780380). It says it provides human resources, provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides services.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The Story Museum reported income of £2.3m and spending of £2.3m, spending 101% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £1.9m to £2.3m (+22%), an average of +5.1% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 34%. Over the whole period it spent 105% 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 Story Museum 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 96th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Aurora Orchestra (£2.3m), Studio Voltaire (£2.3m) and Walk the Plank (£2.3m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 54% and charitable activities 46%. Charitable activities took 94% of spending and raising funds 5.9%. It employed 59 people.
Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 54%
- Charitable activities 46%
In the charity's own words
The Story Museum has three core charitable aims: a) to establish and maintain a museum dedicated to children's literature and the City of Oxford; b) to conserve, interpret and develop collections and heritage assets relevant to these subjects; c) to provide learning opportunities for and promote literacy and creativity among children, young people and families.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora Orchestra | London | £2.3m |
| Studio Voltaire | London | £2.3m |
| Walk the Plank | Salford | £2.3m |
| North East Theatre Trust Limited | Newcastle Upon Tyne | £2.3m |