Free the Bears UK
Analysis
Free the Bears UK is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Essex. It was registered in April 2010, 16 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, animals and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under animals. It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides buildings/facilities/open space.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Free the Bears UK reported income of £422k and spending of £462k, spending 110% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2022 to December 2025, income grew from £326k to £422k (+29%), an average of +6.6% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 83%. Over the whole period it spent 107% of the income it received.
Among 2,161 England and Wales charities whose main cause is animals and that reported income, Free the Bears UK sits at the 85th percentile: it is larger than about 85% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 88th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Northumberland West Branch (£421k), The Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust (£423k) and Protected Paws Animal Rescue (£416k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
Free the Bears works to end the exploitation of threatened bear species and supports the protection of bears in the wild. We work with governments and nongovernmental partners to strengthen wildlife law enforcement, improve environmental awareness and promote sustainable livelihoods for communities that previously relied on the exploitation of bears.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Northumberland West Branch | Hexham | £421k |
| The Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust | London | £423k |
| Protected Paws Animal Rescue | London | £416k |
| Rescue Me Animal Sanctuary | Liverpool | £430k |