Wateraid

Analysis

Wateraid is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in February 1984, 42 years ago. Its declared purposes cover the prevention or relief of poverty and overseas aid/famine relief, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01787329). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides human resources and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2025, Wateraid reported income of £92.1m and spending of £97.0m, spending 105% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £89.5m to £92.1m (+2.9%), an average of +0.7% a year. Over the whole period it spent 100% of the income it received.

Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, Wateraid sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Tearfund (£80.2m), The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (£126.2m) and Shelter, National Campaign for Homeless People Limited (£77.0m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 68%, charitable activities 30% and investments 1.2%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £14.3m. Charitable activities took 72% of spending and raising funds 26%. Grants to other organisations totalled £7.5m. Reserves of £18.9m would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 933 people.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.