Pro Bono Economics
Analysis
Pro Bono Economics is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in 6 St. George's Circus. It was registered in July 2009, 17 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, 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 06849844). It says it provides human resources, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Pro Bono Economics reported income of £1.4m and spending of £1.9m, spending 130% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income fell from £1.5m to £1.4m (-3.6%), an average of -0.9% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 64%. Over the whole period it spent 110% of the income it received.
Among 1,869 England and Wales charities whose main cause is community and economic development and that reported income, Pro Bono Economics sits at the 94th percentile: it is larger than about 94% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 95th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Founders4schools (£1.4m), Mantell Gwynedd Cyf (£1.4m) and City Gateway Limited (£1.4m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 88% and charitable activities 11%. Charitable activities took 83% of spending and raising funds 17%. Reserves of £96k would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 20 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 88%
- Charitable activities 11%
- Investments 0.4%
In the charity's own words
Pro Bono Economics uses economics to empower the social sector and to increase wellbeing across the UK. We combine project work with individual charities and social enterprises with policy research that can drive systemic change. Experts and economists at PBE work on a wide range of issues related to wellbeing including mental health, education, employment, poverty, volunteering and civil society.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Founders4schools | London | £1.4m |
| Mantell Gwynedd Cyf | Caernarfon | £1.4m |
| City Gateway Limited | London | £1.4m |
| First Steps Nursery | Tonteg | £1.5m |