United Synagogue
Analysis
United Synagogue is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in June 1965, 61 years ago. Its declared purposes cover religious activities, which this site groups under religion. It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and acts as an umbrella or resource body.
In the financial year ending December 2025, United Synagogue reported income of £50.7m and spending of £51.2m, spending 101% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £42.0m to £50.7m (+21%), an average of +4.8% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 18%. 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, United Synagogue 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 The Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Christ in Oxford of the Foundation of King Henry VIII (£50.0m), The Methodist Church in Great Britain (£52.3m) and The London Diocesan Fund (£47.0m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 53%, charitable activities 24%, trading 18% and investments 2.4%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £192k. Charitable activities took 81% of spending and raising funds 0.9%. Grants to other organisations totalled £1.4m. It employed 796 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 53%
- Legacies 0.4%
- Charitable activities 24%
- Trading 18%
- Investments 2.4%
- Other 2.6%
In the charity's own words
There are five primary objects of the charity.1 To create and maintain synagogues conforming to the orthodox form of Jewish worship.2 To advance education in Jewish religion.3 To provide burial for same4 Relief of the poor 5 To advance charitable purposes of other Jewish bodies and in general any other charitable purpose in connection with the above.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Christ in Oxford of the Foundation of King Henry VIII | Oxford | £50.0m |
| The Methodist Church in Great Britain | London | £52.3m |
| The London Diocesan Fund | London | £47.0m |
| The College of St Mary Magdalen in the University of Oxford | Oxford | £53.5m |