Release International

Analysis

Release International is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Kent. It was registered in August 1980, 46 years ago. Its declared purposes cover religious activities, which this site groups under religion. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01506576). It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending December 2025, Release International reported income of £3.7m and spending of £3.2m, spending 85% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £3.1m to £3.7m (+19%), an average of +4.5% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2025, when income rose by 20%. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.

Among 20,496 England and Wales charities whose main cause is religion and that reported income, Release International sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 99% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include East London Mosque Trust (£3.7m), Eglwys Bresbyteraidd Cymru - the Presbyterian Church of Wales (£3.8m) and Temple Church Trust (£3.7m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 98% and investments 1.3%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £408k. Charitable activities took 90% of spending and raising funds 7.4%. Grants to other organisations totalled £1.3m. Reserves of £1.4m would cover about 5 months of spending at that rate. It employed 27 people.