The National Archives Trust

Analysis

The National Archives Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Richmond. It was registered in February 2020, 6 years ago. Its declared purposes cover 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, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.

In the financial year ending March 2026, The National Archives Trust reported income of £538k and spending of £222k, leaving 59% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2022 to March 2026, income grew from £200k to £538k (+169%), an average of +28% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 149%. Over the whole period it spent 70% 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 National Archives Trust sits at the 92nd percentile: it is larger than about 92% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 90th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Paul Kirner's Theatre Organ Collection (£536k), Opda (£538k) and The Lakeland Trust for Natural Sciences Limited (£536k).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 99%. Charitable activities took 50% of spending and raising funds 0.6%. Grants to other organisations totalled £110k. Reserves of £113k would cover about 6 months of spending at that rate. It employed 1 people.