The Royal Naval Association
Analysis
The Royal Naval Association is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Portsmouth. It was registered in February 1974, 52 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, 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. It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides human resources.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Royal Naval Association reported income of £705k and spending of £868k, spending 123% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £278k to £705k (+153%), an average of +26% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 257%. Over the whole period it spent 119% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, The Royal Naval Association sits at the 87th percentile: it is larger than about 86% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 92nd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (£704k), Lady Forester Hospital Trust (£705k) and Go to Leisure CIO (£704k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 72%, investments 3.5% and trading 2.7%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £51k. Charitable activities took 86% of spending and raising funds 8.9%. Reserves of £1.4m would cover about 19 months of spending at that rate. It employed 10 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 65%
- Legacies 7.2%
- Trading 2.7%
- Investments 3.5%
- Other 22%
In the charity's own words
The RNA is a rank-blind membership organisation primarily for serving and former serving RN personnel and the wider naval family, who are proud of their Naval Service. We seek to maintain the naval ethos and enjoy sharing experiences with like minded people while supporting each other in times of need. The mission of the RNA is to foster camaraderie through events, comms and welfare support.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service | South Yorkshire | £704k |
| Lady Forester Hospital Trust | Shropshire | £705k |
| Go to Leisure CIO | Southampton | £704k |
| Temple Garden Foundation | London | £706k |