The Donkey Sanctuary

Analysis

The Donkey Sanctuary is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Sidmouth. It was registered in March 2024, 2 years ago. Its declared purposes cover disability and animals, which this site groups under disability. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 15150580). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides services.

In the financial year ending December 2025, The Donkey Sanctuary reported income of £59.6m and spending of £57.0m, spending 96% of its income. Over the whole period it spent 96% of the income it received.

Among 12,871 England and Wales charities whose main cause is disability and that reported income, The Donkey Sanctuary 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 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Motability (£54.2m), Fitzroy Support (£60.2m) and Coastline Housing Limited (£52.1m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 88%, trading 8.9% and investments 1.2%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £36.9m. Charitable activities took 70% of spending and raising funds 28%. Grants to other organisations totalled £1.1m. Reserves of £32.9m would cover about 7 months of spending at that rate. It employed 786 people.