Towner
Analysis
Towner is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Eastbourne. It was registered in April 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 08803625). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Towner reported income of £3.6m and spending of £2.6m, leaving 26% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £1.9m to £3.6m (+91%), an average of +18% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income rose by 39%. Over the whole period it spent 76% 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, Towner sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 97th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance (£3.5m), Junction CDC Limited (£3.6m) and Tyneside Cinema (£3.5m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 54%, donations and legacies 27% and trading 18%. Charitable activities took 92% of spending and raising funds 6.8%. Grants to other organisations totalled £19k. Reserves of £1.1m would cover about 5 months of spending at that rate. It employed 54 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 27%
- Charitable activities 54%
- Trading 18%
- Investments 0.5%
- Other 0.5%
In the charity's own words
Towner is an award winning art gallery, showcasing artists of national and international significance and presenting works from their acclaimed collection. They place learning and a commitment to access at the very heart of everything they do, delivering a year long programme of exhibitions, learning and participation activities for all ages and all backgrounds.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance | Twickenham | £3.5m |
| Junction CDC Limited | Cambridge | £3.6m |
| Tyneside Cinema | Newcastle upon Tyne | £3.5m |
| Doncaster Performance Venue Limited | Doncaster | £3.6m |