York Civic Trust
Analysis
York Civic Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in York. It was registered in April 1964, 62 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. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 00486282). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides human resources and provides buildings/facilities/open space.
In the financial year ending January 2025, York Civic Trust reported income of £500k and spending of £694k, spending 139% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from January 2021 to January 2025, income grew from £355k to £500k (+41%), an average of +8.9% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to January 2024, when income rose by 62%. Over the whole period it spent 103% 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, York Civic Trust sits at the 92nd percentile: it is larger than about 92% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 90th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway (£500k), Old Kiln Museum CIO (£500k) and The Ghetto Film School Limited (£500k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from investments 55%, charitable activities 22%, donations and legacies 14% and trading 9.1%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £32k. Charitable activities took 90% of spending and raising funds 8.2%. Reserves of £1.2m would cover about 21 months of spending at that rate. It employed 15 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 7.4%
- Legacies 6.4%
- Charitable activities 22%
- Trading 9.1%
- Investments 55%
In the charity's own words
To preserve, protect and advise on the historic fabric of York. To publish promote and educate the public and encourage their participation in cultural activities. To provide advocacy in areas of concern to York. To make grants which concur with the trust's objectives. To raise and pay funds in the furtherance of the objects and co-operate with others having similar objects.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway | County Durham | £500k |
| Old Kiln Museum CIO | Farnham | £500k |
| The Ghetto Film School Limited | Hampshire | £500k |
| Gloucester Culture Trust | Gloucester | £502k |