Ernest Read Trust
Analysis
Ernest Read Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Swindon. It was registered in September 1980, 46 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable trust. It says it makes grants to organisations.
In the financial year ending August 2025, Ernest Read Trust reported income of £27k and spending of £18k, leaving 33% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from August 2021 to August 2025, income grew from £22k to £27k (+21%), an average of +4.9% a year. Over the whole period it spent 71% 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, Ernest Read Trust sits at the 57th percentile: it is larger than about 57% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 50th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Cornerstone Music (£27k), Berriew Community Centre (£27k) and Association of Friends of the Scunthorpe Co-Operative Junior Choir (£27k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
THE TRUST GIVES FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ORGANISATIONS RUNNING ACTIVITIES WHICH CONTINUE THE ORIGINAL AIMS AND IDEALS OF ERNEST READ (WHO FOUNDED THE ERNEST READ SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN 1931, TO GIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MUSIC STUDENTS, ADVANCED AMATEURS, TEACHERS AND PROFESSIONALS TO EXPAND THEIR CONCERT REPERTOIRE). THE ORCHESTRA RECEIVES TRUST INCOME TO SUPPORT ITS CONTINUATION OF THIS CONCEPT.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Cornerstone Music | Milton Keynes | £27k |
| Berriew Community Centre | Welshpool | £27k |
| Association of Friends of the Scunthorpe Co-Operative Junior Choir | Gainsborough | £27k |
| Ovingdean Village Hall | Brighton | £27k |