Porchlight

Analysis

Porchlight is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Kent. It was registered in April 1974, 52 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, the prevention or relief of poverty and accommodation/housing, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01157482). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2025, Porchlight reported income of £10.4m and spending of £11.8m, spending 113% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £12.6m to £10.4m (-18%), an average of -4.7% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2025, when income dropped by 17%. Over the whole period it spent 100% of the income it received.

Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, Porchlight 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 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Black Country Women's Aid (£10.3m), Wycliffe UK Limited (£10.5m) and Housing for Women (£10.3m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 79% and donations and legacies 21%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £149k. Charitable activities took 95% of spending and raising funds 4.4%. Reserves of £1.9m would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 200 people.