Own Books
Analysis
Own Books is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Henley-In-Arden. It was registered in July 2020, 6 years ago. Its declared purposes cover 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 other charitable activities.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Own Books reported income of £13k and spending of £18k, spending 134% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income fell from £19k to £13k (-31%), an average of -8.8% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 1516%. Over the whole period it spent 78% 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, Own Books sits at the 38th percentile: it is larger than about 38% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 36th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Carlisle and District Music and Drama Festival (£13k), Friends of St Stephens Infant School (£13k) and Sinfonia Tamesa (£13k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
Own Books is a book donation project that helps children and young people, without books, to have their own books to keep or share at home. The project aims to advance literacy & a love of reading in children & young people through the free provision of books in the home. Through a series of art making and storytelling workshops, we aim to encourage and inspire literacy, creativity & imagination.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Carlisle and District Music and Drama Festival | Carlisle | £13k |
| Friends of St Stephens Infant School | Bristol | £13k |
| Sinfonia Tamesa | London | £13k |
| Lytham St Annes University of the Third Age | Blackpool | £13k |