Black South West Network
Analysis
Black South West Network is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Bristol. It was registered in April 2008, 18 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, the prevention or relief of poverty and overseas aid/famine relief, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 05437953). It says it provides human resources, provides advocacy/advice/information and acts as an umbrella or resource body.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Black South West Network reported income of £2.5m and spending of £1.4m, leaving 44% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £840k to £2.5m (+193%), an average of +31% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 43%. Over the whole period it spent 64% of the income it received.
Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, Black South West Network 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 Wellspring Settlement (£2.5m), Institute for Human Rights & Business Limited (£2.5m) and Gisda Cyfyngedig / Arfon Young Single Homeless Group (£2.4m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 88% and donations and legacies 4.9%. Charitable activities took 100% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Grants to other organisations totalled £24k. Reserves of £1.7m would cover about 15 months of spending at that rate. It employed 10 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 4.9%
- Charitable activities 88%
- Investments 0.6%
- Other 6.1%
In the charity's own words
BSWN supports BME and other marginal community organisations in the South West. Its vision and mission are to promote and advocate on behalf of the BME and other marginal Voluntary and Community Sector organisations (BVCS). To strengthen the BVCS by increasing influence in policy arenas, developing the capacity, providing support, facilitating skills and knowledge sharing across the sector.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Wellspring Settlement | Bristol | £2.5m |
| Institute for Human Rights & Business Limited | East Sussex | £2.5m |
| Gisda Cyfyngedig / Arfon Young Single Homeless Group | Gwynedd | £2.4m |
| Marches Energy Advice | Shrewsbury | £2.5m |