Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean
Analysis
Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Plymouth. It was registered in February 2017, 9 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean reported income of £780k and spending of £927k, spending 119% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £983k to £780k (-21%), an average of -5.6% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2024, when income dropped by 19%. Over the whole period it spent 104% 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, Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean sits at the 94th percentile: it is larger than about 94% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 93rd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Stepping Stones Community Organisation (£780k), Ludlow and District Community Association (£781k) and London Youth Choir (£776k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 97%, donations and legacies 2.2% and investments 1.2%. Charitable activities took 99% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Grants to other organisations totalled £413k. Reserves of £291k would cover about 4 months of spending at that rate.
Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 2.2%
- Charitable activities 97%
- Investments 1.2%
In the charity's own words
The charity brings together the world's major oceanographic institutes to plan joint actions to advance sustained ocean observations for societal benefit. It provides professional training opportunities for early-career scientists to develop the worldwide capacity for sustained ocean observations, and advocates at public and policy levels for the need for sustained funding for the observing system
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Stepping Stones Community Organisation | Staffordshire | £780k |
| Ludlow and District Community Association | Shropshire | £781k |
| London Youth Choir | London | £776k |
| British School of Watchmaking | Stockport | £782k |