The Salvation Army

Analysis

The Salvation Army is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in February 1963, 63 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, the advancement of health or saving of lives and disability, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable trust. It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2025, The Salvation Army reported income of £338.3m and spending of £331.9m, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £237.8m to £338.3m (+42%), an average of +9.2% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income rose by 19%. Over the whole period it spent 91% 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 Salvation Army 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 Msi Reproductive Choices (£330.1m), Change, Grow, Live (£339.7m) and The British Red Cross Society (£293.5m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 53%, trading 34%, charitable activities 8.0% and investments 2.7%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £84.4m. Charitable activities took 56% of spending and raising funds 44%. Reserves of £70.3m would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 1,610 people.