The British and Foreign Bible Society

Analysis

The British and Foreign Bible Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Swindon. It was registered in June 1964, 62 years ago. Its declared purposes cover religious activities, which this site groups under religion. It says it makes grants to organisations, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2025, The British and Foreign Bible Society reported income of £26.2m and spending of £25.8m, spending 99% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £21.5m to £26.2m (+22%), an average of +5.0% a year. Over the whole period it spent 98% of the income it received.

Among 20,496 England and Wales charities whose main cause is religion and that reported income, The British and Foreign Bible Society 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 Stonyhurst (£25.5m), St Paul's Cathedral (£26.6m) and Effingham Schools Trust (£25.5m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 56%, charitable activities 39% and investments 3.3%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £4.7m. Charitable activities took 88% of spending and raising funds 11%. Grants to other organisations totalled £3.3m. Reserves of £15.3m would cover about 7 months of spending at that rate. It employed 166 people.