Practical Action

Analysis

Practical Action is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Rugby. It was registered in April 1966, 60 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, the advancement of health or saving of lives, the prevention or relief of poverty and overseas aid/famine relief, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 00871954). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2025, Practical Action reported income of £33.1m and spending of £32.4m, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £30.4m to £33.1m (+8.9%), an average of +2.1% a year. Over the whole period it spent 100% of the income it received.

Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, Practical Action 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 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Human Capability Foundation (£32.3m), The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association - Forces Help (£33.2m) and Treloar Trust (£32.3m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 61% and donations and legacies 39%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £2.5m. Charitable activities took 85% of spending and raising funds 7.4%. Grants to other organisations totalled £4.0m. Reserves of £8.4m would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 478 people.