The Tolkien Society
Analysis
The Tolkien Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Bicester. It was registered in July 1977, 49 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides human resources.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Tolkien Society reported income of £82k and spending of £52k, leaving 37% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income fell from £196k to £82k (-58%), an average of -20% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2025, when income dropped by 70%. Over the whole period it spent 72% 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, The Tolkien Society sits at the 76th percentile: it is larger than about 76% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 68th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include University of the Third Age Lancaster and Morecambe (£82k), Quiet Down There (£82k) and The Oldham Band (Lees) (£82k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
To educate the public in, and promote research into, the life and works of Professor John Ronald Reul Tolkien CBE.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| University of the Third Age Lancaster and Morecambe | Lancaster | £82k |
| Quiet Down There | Brighton | £82k |
| The Oldham Band (Lees) | Oldham | £82k |
| Catalans UK | London | £82k |