The South Square Trust
Analysis
The South Square Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Orpington. It was registered in August 2019, 7 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It says it makes grants to organisations.
In the financial year ending July 2025, The South Square Trust reported income of £167k and spending of £311k, spending 186% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from July 2021 to July 2025, income fell from £180k to £167k (-7.0%), an average of -1.8% a year. Over the whole period it spent 187% 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 South Square Trust sits at the 84th percentile: it is larger than about 84% 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 Wantage Silver Band (£167k), Mad Theatre Company (£167k) and Open Door People (£167k).
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
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
The South Square Trust's primary objective is to assist talented young people in the UK from disadvantaged backgrounds who are taking degree-level courses in the fine and applied arts, by awarding scholarships to particular schools, colleges and institutions. Individual applications are not considered. Charities: no unsolicited requests accepted.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Wantage Silver Band | Oxfordshire | £167k |
| Mad Theatre Company | Monsall Road | £167k |
| Open Door People | London | £167k |
| The Rude Mechanical Theatre Company | Eastbourne | £167k |