The Outward Bound Trust
Analysis
The Outward Bound Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Penrith. It was registered in February 2009, 17 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under community and economic development. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 06748835). It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides buildings/facilities/open space.
In the financial year ending September 2025, The Outward Bound Trust reported income of £17.3m and spending of £19.7m, spending 114% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2021 to September 2025, income grew from £9.6m to £17.3m (+81%), an average of +16% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2022, when income rose by 68%. Over the whole period it spent 102% of the income it received.
Among 1,869 England and Wales charities whose main cause is community and economic development and that reported income, The Outward Bound Trust sits at the 99th 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 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Chartered Institute of Building (£17.2m), The Education and Training Foundation (£20.4m) and Career Connect (£14.2m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 41%, trading 31%, donations and legacies 25% and investments 2.5%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £70k. Charitable activities took 72% of spending and raising funds 9.0%. Reserves of £2.5m would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 353 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 25%
- Legacies 0.4%
- Charitable activities 41%
- Trading 31%
- Investments 2.5%
In the charity's own words
The Outward Bound Trust unlocks the potential of young people through discovery and adventure in the wild. It runs courses at residential centres in the Lake District, North Wales and the Highlands, translating experiences in the mountains, sea, lakes and rivers into lessons for life. A bursary programme ensures courses are open to all young people regardless of their financial circumstances.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Chartered Institute of Building | Berkshire | £17.2m |
| The Education and Training Foundation | London | £20.4m |
| Career Connect | Liverpool | £14.2m |
| Impetus - the Private Equity Foundation | London | £24.1m |