The Society of Missionaries of Africa (Also Known As the White Fathers)
Analysis
The Society of Missionaries of Africa (Also Known As the White Fathers) is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in August 1964, 62 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes and religious activities, which this site groups under religion. It says it provides human resources.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Society of Missionaries of Africa (Also Known As the White Fathers) reported income of £1.2m and spending of £1.2m, spending 101% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income fell from £4.2m to £1.2m (-72%), an average of -27% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 104%. Over the whole period it spent 84% of the income it received.
Among 20,496 England and Wales charities whose main cause is religion and that reported income, The Society of Missionaries of Africa (Also Known As the White Fathers) sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 97% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 94th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Tewkesbury Abbey with Walton Cardiff (£1.2m), The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul (£1.2m) and Redeemed Christian Church of God ('RCCG') Victory House (£1.2m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 87% and investments 12%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £389k. Charitable activities took 89% of spending and raising funds 9.5%. Reserves of £12.4m would cover about 123 months of spending at that rate. It employed 15 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 54%
- Legacies 33%
- Investments 12%
- Other 0.9%
In the charity's own words
The promotion of the religious and human development of the people of Africa; promotion of missionary vocation throughout the world; funding the recruiting and training of missionaries; missionary animation through our magazine & appeals in parishes; promotion of JPIC issues; the fostering of inter-religious encounter & dialogue; the care in retirement and/or sickness of our returned missionaries.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Tewkesbury Abbey with Walton Cardiff | Tewkesbury | £1.2m |
| The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul | Liverpool | £1.2m |
| Redeemed Christian Church of God ('RCCG') Victory House | London | £1.2m |
| Ramgarhia Board Leicester & Leicestershire | Leicester | £1.2m |