The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Analysis
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in April 1963, 63 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes and education/training, which this site groups under education and training. It says it provides services, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children reported income of £120.3m and spending of £122.2m, spending 102% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £121.8m to £120.3m (-1.3%), an average of -0.3% a year. Over the whole period it spent 92% of the income it received.
Among 21,402 England and Wales charities whose main cause is education and training and that reported income, The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children 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 Northeastern University - London (£108.1m), The Leverhulme Trust (£124.5m) and The Kynge's College of Our Ladye of Eton Besyde Windesore (£99.6m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 81%, charitable activities 11%, trading 4.7% and investments 3.3%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £26.2m. Charitable activities took 70% of spending and raising funds 27%. Grants to other organisations totalled £2.7m. Reserves of £98.7m would cover about 10 months of spending at that rate. It employed 1,484 people.
Data notes from the register: The latest annual return was received after its deadline.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 59%
- Legacies 22%
- Charitable activities 11%
- Trading 4.7%
- Investments 3.3%
In the charity's own words
1) TO PREVENT THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE WRONGS OF CHILDREN AND THE CORRUPTION OF THEIR MORALS; 2) TO TAKE ACTION FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS FOR THEIR PROTECTION; 3) TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AN ORGANISATION FOR THE ABOVE OBJECTS; 4) TO DO ALL OTHER SUCH LAWFUL THINGS AS ARE INCIDENTAL OR CONDUCIVE TO THE ATTAINMENT OF THE ABOVE OBJECTS
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University - London | London | £108.1m |
| The Leverhulme Trust | London | £124.5m |
| The Kynge's College of Our Ladye of Eton Besyde Windesore | Windsor | £99.6m |
| Prifysgol Aberystwyth | Aberystwyth | £127.4m |