Clifton Diocese

Analysis

Clifton Diocese is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Bristol. It was registered in November 2016, 10 years ago. Its declared purposes cover religious activities, which this site groups under religion. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 10462076). It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides other finance.

In the financial year ending December 2025, Clifton Diocese reported income of £12.2m and spending of £13.6m, spending 112% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income fell from £14.4m to £12.2m (-16%), an average of -4.2% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2024, when income rose by 33%. Over the whole period it spent 94% of the income it received.

Among 20,496 England and Wales charities whose main cause is religion and that reported income, Clifton Diocese 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 Sheffield Diocesan Board of Finance (£12.1m), The Gloucester Diocesan Board of Finance (£12.2m) and Farleigh School Trust Limited (£11.7m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 56%, charitable activities 24% and investments 7.8%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £404k. Charitable activities took 100% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £27.3m would cover about 24 months of spending at that rate. It employed 141 people.