Macmillan Cancer Support

Analysis

Macmillan Cancer Support is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in June 1989, 37 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, the advancement of health or saving of lives and the prevention or relief of poverty, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02400969). It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides human resources.

In the financial year ending December 2025, Macmillan Cancer Support reported income of £268.4m and spending of £175.1m, leaving 35% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £230.7m to £268.4m (+16%), an average of +3.9% a year. Over the whole period it spent 96% of the income it received.

Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, Macmillan Cancer Support 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 Save the Children Fund (£262.5m), Methodist Homes (£283.3m) and The Francis Crick Institute Limited (£246.2m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 92% and trading 7.0%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £129.3m. Charitable activities took 59% of spending and raising funds 40%. Grants to other organisations totalled £22.6m. Reserves of £133.9m would cover about 9 months of spending at that rate. It employed 1,445 people.