Catholic Agency for Overseas Development
Analysis
Catholic Agency for Overseas Development is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in February 2015, 11 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, the advancement of health or saving of lives and disability, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 09387398). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development reported income of £56.2m and spending of £50.6m, spending 90% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £52.4m to £56.2m (+7.2%), an average of +1.8% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 34%. Over the whole period it spent 100% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development sits at the 100th 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 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat International (£55.6m), Medical Aid for Palestinians (£56.6m) and Real Life Options (£55.6m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 75% and charitable activities 24%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £14.9m. Charitable activities took 85% of spending and raising funds 14%. Grants to other organisations totalled £25.8m. Reserves of £4.6m would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 378 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 49%
- Legacies 27%
- Charitable activities 24%
- Trading 0.1%
- Investments 0.4%
In the charity's own words
CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England & Wales. We:- work with communities in the global South to overcome poverty - protect lives & relieve suffering during emergencies- raise awareness of the causes of poverty to inspire a commitment to lasting change- challenge those with power to adopt policies and behaviour that promote justice & end poverty
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat International | London | £55.6m |
| Medical Aid for Palestinians | London | £56.6m |
| Real Life Options | Knottingley | £55.6m |
| The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation | Altrincham | £56.6m |