The Architectural Heritage Fund
Analysis
The Architectural Heritage Fund is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in January 1974, 52 years ago. Its declared purposes cover environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under environment and conservation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01150304). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides other finance and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The Architectural Heritage Fund reported income of £3.3m and spending of £3.3m, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £8.8m to £3.3m (-62%), an average of -22% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2024, when income rose by 50%. Over the whole period it spent 96% of the income it received.
Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, The Architectural Heritage Fund 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 97th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust (£3.3m), Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society (£3.4m) and Linking Environment and Farming (£3.2m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 71%, investments 24% and charitable activities 5.2%. Charitable activities took 96% of spending and raising funds 2.9%. Grants to other organisations totalled £1.5m. Reserves of £586k would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 22 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 71%
- Charitable activities 5.2%
- Investments 24%
In the charity's own words
To promote the permanent preservation for the benefit of the public, buildings monuments or other edifices or structures in the UK. To protect and conserve the character and heritage of the cities towns and villages in and around which such buildings monuments or other edifices of structures exist. To advance public education of and interest in the conservation of the UK's built heritage.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust | London | £3.3m |
| Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society | Nottinghamshire | £3.4m |
| Linking Environment and Farming | Northamptonshire | £3.2m |
| The Foundation and Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens,kew | Richmond | £3.4m |