Tearfund

Analysis

Tearfund is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Middlesex. It was registered in March 1973, 53 years ago. Its declared purposes cover the prevention or relief of poverty, overseas aid/famine relief and religious activities, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 00994339). It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides services.

In the financial year ending March 2025, Tearfund reported income of £80.2m and spending of £77.7m, spending 97% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £81.4m to £80.2m (-1.4%), an average of -0.3% a year. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.

Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, Tearfund 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 Shelter, National Campaign for Homeless People Limited (£77.0m), Wateraid (£92.1m) and The Harpur Trust (£73.0m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 98%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £7.1m. Charitable activities took 85% of spending and raising funds 14%. Grants to other organisations totalled £19.9m. Reserves of £11.8m would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 893 people.