Royal Air Force Museum
Analysis
Royal Air Force Museum is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in January 2022, 4 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Royal Air Force Museum reported income of £18.9m and spending of £20.1m, spending 106% of what it took in. Across the 3 years on record, from March 2023 to March 2025, income fell from £19.9m to £18.9m (-4.7%), an average of -2.4% a year. Over the whole period it spent 97% 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, Royal Air Force Museum sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Lamda Ltd (£18.8m), InspireAll Leisure & Family Support Services (£18.9m) and Opera North Limited (£18.8m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 73%, trading 21%, investments 4.2% and charitable activities 2.0%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £75k. Charitable activities took 82% of spending and raising funds 3.0%. Reserves of £2.3m would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 203 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 73%
- Legacies 0.4%
- Charitable activities 2.0%
- Trading 21%
- Investments 4.2%
- Other 0.1%
In the charity's own words
Our purpose is to share the story of the Royal Air Force, past, present and future, using the stories of its people and our collections, to engage, entertain, inspire and encourage learning. Our overall vision is to inspire everyone with the RAF story, the people who shape it and its place in our lives.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Lamda Ltd | London | £18.8m |
| InspireAll Leisure & Family Support Services | Borehamwood | £18.9m |
| Opera North Limited | Leeds | £18.8m |
| Birmingham Royal Ballet | Birmingham | £19.0m |