The Society of Merchant Venturers Almshouses Charity
Analysis
The Society of Merchant Venturers Almshouses Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Bristol. It was registered in May 1985, 41 years ago. Its declared purposes cover accommodation/housing, which this site groups under housing and shelter. It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Society of Merchant Venturers Almshouses Charity reported income of £294k and spending of £131k, leaving 55% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £136k to £294k (+117%), an average of +21% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 112%. Over the whole period it spent 60% of the income it received.
Among 2,324 England and Wales charities whose main cause is housing and shelter and that reported income, The Society of Merchant Venturers Almshouses Charity sits at the 79th percentile: it is larger than about 79% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 85th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Sue Ryder Prayer Fellowship (Parmoor) Limited (£293k), Charity of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (£296k) and The Abbeyfield Waltham Abbey Society Limited (£291k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
TO PROVIDE ALMSHOUSES FOR THE POOR PERSONS OF GOOD CHARACTER WHO (EXCEPT IN SPECIAL CASES TO BE APPROVED BY THE CHARITY COMMISSION) ARE INHABITANTS OF THE CITY OF BRISTOL. IN SELECTING RESIDENTS FOR MERCHANT VENTURERS' ALMSHOUSES PREFERENCE SHALL BE GIVEN TO MARINERS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS. IN SELECTING RESIDENTS FOR COLSTON'S ALMSHOUSE PREFERENCE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Sue Ryder Prayer Fellowship (Parmoor) Limited | Henley-on-Thames | £293k |
| Charity of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough | St Albans | £296k |
| The Abbeyfield Waltham Abbey Society Limited | Waltham Abbey | £291k |
| Design Midlands Limited | Leicestershire | £300k |