International Bible Students Association

Analysis

International Bible Students Association is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Chelmsford. It was registered in November 1964, 62 years ago. Its declared purposes cover overseas aid/famine relief and religious activities, which this site groups under overseas aid and international. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 00136726). It says it provides human resources, provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides services.

In the financial year ending August 2025, International Bible Students Association reported income of £40.6m and spending of £36.8m, spending 91% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from August 2021 to August 2025, income fell from £71.8m to £40.6m (-43%), an average of -13% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to August 2023, when income dropped by 36%. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.

Among 1,223 England and Wales charities whose main cause is overseas aid and international and that reported income, International Bible Students 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 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Britain (£38.5m), Disasters Emergency Committee (£40.8m) and The St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance (£35.7m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 98%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £7.8m. Charitable activities took 100% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £9.7m would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate.