The Police Foundation
Analysis
The Police Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in August 1979, 47 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under community and economic development. Legally it is a charitable trust. It says it provides advocacy/advice/information, sponsors or undertakes research and other charitable activities.
In the financial year ending June 2025, The Police Foundation reported income of £659k and spending of £772k, spending 117% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2021 to June 2025, income grew from £490k to £659k (+34%), an average of +7.7% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2023, when income rose by 22%. Over the whole period it spent 103% of the income it received.
Among 1,869 England and Wales charities whose main cause is community and economic development and that reported income, The Police Foundation sits at the 87th percentile: it is larger than about 87% 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 Voluntary Support North Surrey (£645k), Cells Project CIO (£661k) and Intermission Youth (£642k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 94%, donations and legacies 3.9% and investments 1.8%. Charitable activities took 100% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £376k would cover about 6 months of spending at that rate. It employed 9 people.
Data notes from the register: The latest annual return was received after its deadline.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 3.9%
- Charitable activities 94%
- Investments 1.8%
In the charity's own words
Improving policing for the benefit of the public by: Undertaking credible quality applied research of direct relevance to policy and practice;Hosting events and independent enquiries into specific policing issues;Offering training and consultancy to help the police and others transfer evidence and knowledge into policy and practice; andDisseminating key issues through publications etc.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Voluntary Support North Surrey | Chertsey | £645k |
| Cells Project CIO | Liverpool | £661k |
| Intermission Youth | London | £642k |
| The AVOCADO Foundation | London | £673k |