English- Speaking Union of the Commonwealth

Analysis

English- Speaking Union of the Commonwealth is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in March 1977, 49 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. It says it makes grants to individuals, provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2025, English- Speaking Union of the Commonwealth reported income of £2.6m and spending of £3.2m, spending 122% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £2.1m to £2.6m (+20%), an average of +4.8% a year. Over the whole period it spent 100% of the income it received.

Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, English- Speaking Union of the Commonwealth 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 Bury St Edmunds Theatre Management Limited (£2.6m), Worcester Theatres Charitable Trust Ltd (£2.6m) and The Henry Barber Trust (£2.6m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from investments 65%, trading 23%, charitable activities 10.0% and donations and legacies 2.5%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £6,300. Charitable activities took 68% of spending and raising funds 21%. Reserves of £2.6m would cover about 9 months of spending at that rate. It employed 27 people.