The Polonsky Foundation

Analysis

The Polonsky Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in April 1985, 41 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 March 2026, The Polonsky Foundation reported income of £24.9m and spending of £1.6m, leaving 94% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2022 to March 2026, income grew from £425k to £24.9m (+5762%), an average of +177% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2026, when income rose by 6445%. Over the whole period it spent 20% 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 Polonsky Foundation 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 The Architectural Association (Incorporated) (£24.8m), The National Film and Television School (£25.0m) and Manchester International Festival (£24.2m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 89% and investments 11%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £22.3m. Charitable activities took 99% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Grants to other organisations totalled £1.5m. Reserves of £41.7m would cover about 309 months of spending at that rate. It employed 1 people.