The Geological Society of London
Analysis
The Geological Society of London is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in February 1963, 63 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides services.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Geological Society of London reported income of £6.1m and spending of £6.0m, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £4.9m to £6.1m (+25%), an average of +5.7% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 17%. Over the whole period it spent 102% 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 Geological Society of London sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 99% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Stoke-On-Trent and North Staffordshire Theatre Trust Limited (£6.1m), Yehudi Menuhin School Limited (£6.1m) and The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom (£6.1m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 84%, donations and legacies 9.8%, trading 2.9% and investments 2.8%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £559k. Charitable activities took 96% of spending and raising funds 1.6%. Reserves of £3.2m would cover about 6 months of spending at that rate. It employed 58 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 0.6%
- Legacies 9.2%
- Charitable activities 84%
- Trading 2.9%
- Investments 2.8%
- Other 0.4%
In the charity's own words
The Society provides public benefit by advancing Earth sciences education at all levels, promoting wider knowledge of the Earth and professional standards that advance environmental protection, further the improvement of human health and guard against natural hazards. It achieves these aims through events and conferences, scholarly publishing and a professional and academic membership body.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Stoke-On-Trent and North Staffordshire Theatre Trust Limited | Newcastle | £6.1m |
| Yehudi Menuhin School Limited | Surrey | £6.1m |
| The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom | Plymouth | £6.1m |
| The Zoological Society of East Anglia Limited | Norfolk | £6.2m |