Virunga Foundation

Analysis

Virunga Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in October 2005, 21 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, animals, environment/conservation/heritage and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under animals. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 05598718). It says it provides human resources, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending December 2025, Virunga Foundation reported income of £53.8m and spending of £34.9m, leaving 35% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £25.5m to £53.8m (+111%), an average of +20% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 61%. Over the whole period it spent 78% of the income it received.

Among 2,161 England and Wales charities whose main cause is animals and that reported income, Virunga Foundation sits at the 100th 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 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Blue Cross (£50.3m), Battersea Dogs' and Cats' Home (£68.4m) and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (£46.8m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 71%, trading 25% and investments 4.3%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £3,520. Charitable activities took 99% of spending and raising funds 0.6%. It employed 1,063 people.

Data notes from the register: The latest annual return was received after its deadline.