The Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Analysis
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Poole. It was registered in March 1963, 63 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, the advancement of health or saving of lives and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under health and saving lives. It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides human resources.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Royal National Lifeboat Institution reported income of £286.7m and spending of £258.1m, spending 90% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £219.9m to £286.7m (+30%), an average of +6.9% a year. Over the whole period it spent 96% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, The Royal National Lifeboat Institution 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 Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (£283.8m), The British Red Cross Society (£293.5m) and Methodist Homes (£283.3m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 89%, trading 6.1%, investments 2.4% and charitable activities 2.1%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £180.2m. Charitable activities took 79% of spending and raising funds 20%. Grants to other organisations totalled £699k. Reserves of £149.8m would cover about 7 months of spending at that rate. It employed 2,781 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 26%
- Legacies 63%
- Charitable activities 2.1%
- Trading 6.1%
- Investments 2.4%
- Other 0.3%
In the charity's own words
To save lives, promote safety and rescue service efficiency, and provide relief from disaster at sea and on inland and flood waters; to advance the education of the public in matters relating to sea, inland and flood water safety, and in the history and heritage of the Institution; to relieve/assist those who have been involved in saving lives at sea and on inland and flood waters in any capacity.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind | Haywards Heath | £283.8m |
| The British Red Cross Society | London | £293.5m |
| Methodist Homes | Derby | £283.3m |
| Msi Reproductive Choices | London | £330.1m |