The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Analysis

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Burghfield Common. It was registered in November 1962, 64 years ago. Its declared purposes cover disability, which this site groups under disability. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 00291646). It says it provides services, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.

In the financial year ending December 2025, The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association reported income of £163.8m and spending of £151.7m, spending 93% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £153.0m to £163.8m (+7.1%), an average of +1.7% a year. Over the whole period it spent 92% of the income it received.

Among 12,871 England and Wales charities whose main cause is disability and that reported income, The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association 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 Action for Children (£163.4m), Waythrough (£165.2m) and Jisc (£150.7m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 92%, trading 4.8%, investments 1.5% and charitable activities 1.1%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £76.2m. Charitable activities took 73% of spending and raising funds 25%. Reserves of £83.3m would cover about 6 months of spending at that rate. It employed 1,726 people.