The Powell-Cotton Trust

Analysis

The Powell-Cotton Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Kent. It was registered in May 2016, 10 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science, environment/conservation/heritage and recreation, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 09934968). It says it provides human resources, provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides services.

In the financial year ending March 2025, The Powell-Cotton Trust reported income of £19.3m and spending of £1.3m, leaving 93% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £861k to £19.3m (+2145%), an average of +118% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 1177%. Over the whole period it spent 21% 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 Powell-Cotton Trust 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 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Birmingham Royal Ballet (£19.0m), Chatsworth House Trust (£19.4m) and InspireAll Leisure & Family Support Services (£18.9m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 97% and investments 3.0%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £18.3m. Charitable activities took 90% of spending and raising funds 3.1%. Reserves of £27.0m would cover about 233 months of spending at that rate. It employed 29 people.