The Big Difference

Analysis

The Big Difference is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Southampton. It was registered in March 2023, 3 years ago. Its declared purposes cover the prevention or relief of poverty and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It says it provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2025, The Big Difference reported income of £722k and spending of £546k, leaving 24% of income unspent that year. Across the 2 years on record, from March 2024 to March 2025, income grew from £231k to £722k (+212%), an average of +212% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2025, when income rose by 212%. Over the whole period it spent 64% of the income it received.

Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, The Big Difference sits at the 91st percentile: it is larger than about 91% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 92nd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Tetra Foundation (£721k), Filey Childcare (£722k) and The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary the Blessed Virgin, Plympton (£721k).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 82% and trading 18%. Charitable activities took 78% of spending and raising funds 22%. Reserves of £346k would cover about 8 months of spending at that rate. It employed 4 people.