Improbable
Analysis
Improbable is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Kent. It was registered in February 2014, 12 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 company (Companies House number 08561272). It says it other charitable activities.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Improbable reported income of £549k and spending of £538k, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £470k to £549k (+17%), an average of +3.9% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 38%. Over the whole period it spent 97% 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, Improbable 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 90th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (£547k), Pentabus Arts Limited (£549k) and Take Art Limited (£547k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 65% and charitable activities 34%. Charitable activities took 97% of spending and raising funds 2.2%. Reserves of £224k would cover about 5 months of spending at that rate. It employed 7 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 65%
- Charitable activities 34%
- Investments 0.2%
In the charity's own words
Improbable has been presenting award-winning theatre, from very small scale performances to large scale plays and operas, for 20 years. We add high-quality work to the cultural landscape, and tour our work as much as possible to benefit those living outside London. We also run Open Space forums around the state of the arts and contemporary theatre practice.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution | Bath | £547k |
| Pentabus Arts Limited | Shropshire | £549k |
| Take Art Limited | Somerset | £547k |
| Africa Oye | Liverpool | £550k |