The National Museum of Computing
Analysis
The National Museum of Computing is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Milton Keynes. It was registered in June 2005, 21 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 05407952). It says it provides human resources and provides buildings/facilities/open space.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The National Museum of Computing reported income of £955k and spending of £1.1m, spending 117% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £497k to £955k (+92%), an average of +18% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2025, when income rose by 75%. Over the whole period it spent 94% of the income it received.
Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, The National Museum of Computing sits at the 93rd percentile: it is larger than about 93% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 94th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Chiltern Open Air Museum Limited (£952k), Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust (£963k) and Foundation for Jewish Heritage (£951k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 94% and donations and legacies 5.5%. Charitable activities took 96% of spending and raising funds 2.6%. Reserves of £280k would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 13 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 5.5%
- Charitable activities 94%
- Investments 0.3%
In the charity's own words
The primary purpose of the Charity is to advance the education of the public with regard to the use and development of World War II technology, in particular the use of cryptography and computers and the development of computers to the present day.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Chiltern Open Air Museum Limited | Chalfont St. Giles | £952k |
| Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust | Stowmarket | £963k |
| Foundation for Jewish Heritage | London | £951k |
| The Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges | Birmingham | £964k |