The Mass Observation Archive

Analysis

The Mass Observation Archive is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Brighton. It was registered in August 2018, 8 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 provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending September 2025, The Mass Observation Archive reported income of £165k and spending of £174k, spending 105% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2021 to September 2025, income grew from £106k to £165k (+56%), an average of +12% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2022, when income rose by 103%. Over the whole period it spent 74% of the income it received.

Among 21,402 England and Wales charities whose main cause is education and training and that reported income, The Mass Observation Archive sits at the 82nd percentile: it is larger than about 82% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 78th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Highnam Under Fives (£165k), Lighthall Under Five's Pre-School (£165k) and Cannington Preschool (£165k).