The Friends of the Whitworth Art Gallery
Analysis
The Friends of the Whitworth Art Gallery is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Manchester. It was registered in November 2013, 13 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It says it makes grants to organisations and provides services.
In the financial year ending September 2025, The Friends of the Whitworth Art Gallery reported income of £32k and spending of £35k, spending 110% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2021 to September 2025, income fell from £44k to £32k (-27%), an average of -7.6% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2023, when income rose by 56%. Over the whole period it spent 122% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The Friends of the Whitworth Art Gallery sits at the 61st percentile: it is larger than about 60% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 53rd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Abingdon and District Musical Society (£32k), Ebbw Valley Brass (£32k) and Historic Aircraft Flight Trust (£32k).
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
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
Funding acquisitions and other projects as formally requested by the Whitworth Art Gallery, Providing services to members through communication, events, learning and volunteering opportunitiesBeing advocates for the Whitworth Art Gallery (its exhibitions, collections and supporting activities)Providing a series of activities connected with the Gallery for the benefit of the general public.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Abingdon and District Musical Society | Oxfordshire | £32k |
| Ebbw Valley Brass | Blaenau Gwent | £32k |
| Historic Aircraft Flight Trust | Hampshire | £32k |
| Girlguiding Fleet Division | Hampshire | £32k |