The Physiological Society
Analysis
The Physiological Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in September 1962, 64 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, the advancement of health or saving of lives, accommodation/housing and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 00323575). It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides buildings/facilities/open space.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Physiological Society reported income of £6.9m and spending of £4.1m, leaving 41% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £4.1m to £6.9m (+68%), an average of +14% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2025, when income rose by 44%. Over the whole period it spent 80% 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 Physiological Society sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 97% 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 N-Compass Towards a Brighter Future Limited (£6.9m), Oxfordshire Mind (£7.0m) and Omf International (UK) (£6.9m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 91% and investments 8.3%. Charitable activities took 88% of spending and raising funds 1.1%. Reserves of £1.8m would cover about 5 months of spending at that rate. It employed 23 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Charitable activities 91%
- Investments 8.3%
- Other 0.8%
In the charity's own words
The Society's main aims are to promote the advancement of physiology and to facilitate communication, both between scientists and with the wider public, through: the publication of scientific journals; support for scientific meetings; grants to allow physiologists to attend scientific meetings and develop research collaborations; and by supporting education and outreach activities.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| N-Compass Towards a Brighter Future Limited | Preston | £6.9m |
| Oxfordshire Mind | Oxford | £7.0m |
| Omf International (UK) | Manchester | £6.9m |
| The Chaseley Trust | Eastbourne | £7.0m |