The Royal Institution of Great Britain
Analysis
The Royal Institution of Great Britain is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in October 1963, 63 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending September 2025, The Royal Institution of Great Britain reported income of £9.8m and spending of £6.9m, leaving 29% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2021 to September 2025, income grew from £3.2m to £9.8m (+207%), an average of +32% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2022, when income rose by 44%. Over the whole period it spent 94% 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 Royal Institution of Great Britain sits at the 99th 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 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Leeds Theatre Trust Limited (£9.7m), Garsington Opera Limited (£9.9m) and Emih Limited (£9.6m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from trading 42%, donations and legacies 41%, charitable activities 16% and investments 1.5%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £228k. Charitable activities took 55% of spending and raising funds 12%. Reserves of £24.5m would cover about 41 months of spending at that rate. It employed 70 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 39%
- Legacies 2.3%
- Charitable activities 16%
- Trading 42%
- Investments 1.5%
In the charity's own words
The Ri's mission is to harness science for the maximum benefit of society. The Ri's objects, as defined by the Royal Charter of 1800, are to diffuse knowledge, facilitate the general introduction of useful mechanical inventions and improvements and for teaching by courses of philosophical lectures and experiments, the application of science to the common purposes of life.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Leeds Theatre Trust Limited | Leeds | £9.7m |
| Garsington Opera Limited | Buckinghamshire | £9.9m |
| Emih Limited | Hull | £9.6m |
| The Engineering and Technology Board | London | £10.0m |