The Reading List Foundation
Analysis
The Reading List Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Exeter. It was registered in December 2015, 11 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, which this site groups under education and training. Legally it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It says it makes grants to individuals.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Reading List Foundation reported income of £144k and spending of £95k, leaving 34% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £20k to £144k (+610%), an average of +63% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income rose by 403%. Over the whole period it spent 102% of the income it received.
Among 21,402 England and Wales charities whose main cause is education and training and that reported income, The Reading List Foundation sits at the 80th percentile: it is larger than about 80% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 76th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Mortimer Playgroup Association (£144k), Pembury School House Nursery (£144k) and Coxheath Preschool Group (£144k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
We generate and provide ?250 Scholarships to students from lower-income households in England about to start university. The Scholarship pays for all or nearly all of their reading list (textbooks) in the first year or study. This gives them some financial as well as emotional breathing space, as well as a welcome addition to their CV.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Mortimer Playgroup Association | Reading | £144k |
| Pembury School House Nursery | Kent | £144k |
| Coxheath Preschool Group | Maidstone | £144k |
| Crescent Playgroup | St. Albans | £145k |