Girton College
Analysis
Girton College is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Cambridge. It was registered in August 2010, 16 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, accommodation/housing, religious activities and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under housing and shelter. It says it makes grants to individuals, provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides services.
In the financial year ending June 2025, Girton College reported income of £17.3m and spending of £21.9m, spending 127% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2021 to June 2025, income grew from £12.1m to £17.3m (+43%), an average of +9.3% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2024, when income rose by 35%. Over the whole period it spent 134% of the income it received.
Among 2,324 England and Wales charities whose main cause is housing and shelter and that reported income, Girton College 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 Principal and Fellows of the College of the Lady Margaret in the University of Oxford (£16.7m), Goodenough College (£18.4m) and Haig Housing Trust (£16.5m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 66%, donations and legacies 25%, investments 4.5% and trading 3.3%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £878k. Charitable activities took 93% of spending and raising funds 1.6%. Reserves of £27.7m would cover about 15 months of spending at that rate. It employed 213 people.
Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 21%
- Legacies 4.3%
- Charitable activities 66%
- Trading 3.3%
- Investments 4.5%
- Other 1.6%
In the charity's own words
The College provides, in conjunction with the University of Cambridge, an education for some 700 undergraduate and graduate students which is recognised internationally as being of the highest standard. This education develops students academically and advances their leadership qualities and interpersonal skills, and so prepares them to play full and effective roles in society.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Principal and Fellows of the College of the Lady Margaret in the University of Oxford | Oxford | £16.7m |
| Goodenough College | London | £18.4m |
| Haig Housing Trust | London | £16.5m |
| Nilkanth Estates | London | £19.5m |