The Sussex Archaeological Society

Analysis

The Sussex Archaeological Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in East Sussex. It was registered in May 1962, 64 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 00202795). It says it makes grants to individuals, provides human resources and provides buildings/facilities/open space.

In the financial year ending March 2025, The Sussex Archaeological Society reported income of £1.6m and spending of £1.7m, spending 105% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £2.6m to £1.6m (-37%), an average of -11% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income dropped by 25%. Over the whole period it spent 104% 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, The Sussex Archaeological Society sits at the 96th percentile: it is larger than about 96% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 95th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The New Art Exchange Ltd (£1.6m), Taunton Theatre Association Limited (£1.6m) and The Manchester Young People's Theatre Limited (£1.6m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 75%, trading 17%, donations and legacies 6.4% and investments 1.2%. Charitable activities took 86% of spending and raising funds 12%. Reserves of £150k would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 60 people.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.