The Social Mobility Foundation
Analysis
The Social Mobility Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in August 2006, 20 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, which this site groups under education and training. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 05488354). It says it provides services, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending September 2025, The Social Mobility Foundation reported income of £3.3m and spending of £3.1m, spending 95% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2021 to September 2025, income grew from £2.5m to £3.3m (+30%), an average of +6.9% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2024, when income rose by 28%. Over the whole period it spent 101% of the income it received.
Among 21,402 England and Wales charities whose main cause is education and training and that reported income, The Social Mobility Foundation sits at the 96th percentile: it is larger than about 96% 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 Sceptre Education (£3.3m), Queen Mary's Schools Foundation (£3.3m) and Screen Academy Foundation (£3.3m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 94%, charitable activities 4.9% and investments 1.3%. Charitable activities took 97% of spending and raising funds 1.9%. Reserves of £545k would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 54 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 94%
- Charitable activities 4.9%
- Investments 1.3%
In the charity's own words
The Social Mobility Foundation is a charity that helps talented young people 16-25 from low-income backgrounds achieve their potential. Our programmes offer mentoring, university and job application support, skills and careers advice and work experience. We advocate and campaign for social mobility and undertake research including the annual Social Mobility Employers Index.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Sceptre Education | Northampton | £3.3m |
| Queen Mary's Schools Foundation | West Midlands | £3.3m |
| Screen Academy Foundation | Borehamwood | £3.3m |
| The Ryleys School Limited | Cheshire | £3.3m |