The Manta Trust
Analysis
The Manta Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Dorchester. It was registered in January 2012, 14 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, animals and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under animals. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 07654820). It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending June 2025, The Manta Trust reported income of £977k and spending of £1.1m, spending 114% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2021 to June 2025, income grew from £491k to £977k (+99%), an average of +19% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2022, when income rose by 50%. Over the whole period it spent 97% of the income it received.
Among 2,161 England and Wales charities whose main cause is animals and that reported income, The Manta Trust sits at the 92nd percentile: it is larger than about 92% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 94th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Rare Breeds Survival Trust (£966k), Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter (£994k) and The Sheffield Cats Shelter (£961k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 97% and charitable activities 2.2%. Charitable activities took 82% of spending and raising funds 17%. Grants to other organisations totalled £17k. Reserves of £197k would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 2 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 97%
- Charitable activities 2.2%
- Investments 0.4%
In the charity's own words
The charity?s key objectives are the conservation of manta rays and their close relatives, mobula rays throughout the world?s oceans. Manta rays can be considered charismatic megafauna; diving and snorkelling with these creatures is a sought after experience the world over. Our vision is to see these animals thriving in healthy, diverse ocean ecosystems the world over.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Rare Breeds Survival Trust | Kenilworth | £966k |
| Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter | Worcestershire | £994k |
| The Sheffield Cats Shelter | Sheffield | £961k |
| Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Northamptonshire Branch | Rushden | £999k |