Dorset Wildlife Trust
Analysis
Dorset Wildlife Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Dorchester. It was registered in July 1961, 65 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under environment and conservation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 00688439). It says it provides human resources, provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Dorset Wildlife Trust reported income of £7.3m and spending of £5.4m, leaving 26% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £3.5m to £7.3m (+109%), an average of +20% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2024, when income rose by 149%. Over the whole period it spent 56% of the income it received.
Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, Dorset Wildlife Trust sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. 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 Sussex Wildlife Trust (£7.2m), The Surrey Wildlife Trust Limited (£7.5m) and Forum for the Future (£6.9m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 57%, charitable activities 37%, trading 2.9% and investments 2.3%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £1.6m. Charitable activities took 80% of spending and raising funds 19%. Reserves of £4.1m would cover about 9 months of spending at that rate. It employed 84 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 35%
- Legacies 22%
- Charitable activities 37%
- Trading 2.9%
- Investments 2.3%
- Other 0.4%
In the charity's own words
Our mission is to champion wildlife and natural places, to engage and inspire people and to promote sustainable living. We are working to conserve and enhance Dorset's rich and varied wildlife, delivering conservation gains through our network of nature reserves and wildlife sites and by engaging with communities, working with landowners, farmers, local authorities, business and young people.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Sussex Wildlife Trust | Brighton | £7.2m |
| The Surrey Wildlife Trust Limited | Woking | £7.5m |
| Forum for the Future | London | £6.9m |
| Devon Wildlife Trust | Devon | £7.5m |