The Federation of Groundwork Trusts
Analysis
The Federation of Groundwork Trusts is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Birmingham. It was registered in April 1985, 41 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, environment/conservation/heritage and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under environment and conservation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01900511). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The Federation of Groundwork Trusts reported income of £48.7m and spending of £45.7m, spending 94% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £24.4m to £48.7m (+100%), an average of +19% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2025, when income rose by 129%. Over the whole period it spent 98% of the income it received.
Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, The Federation of Groundwork Trusts 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 Warden and Scholars of St Mary College of Winchester (£45.9m), CDP Worldwide (£60.5m) and Clientearth (£44.1m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 99%. Charitable activities took 99% of spending and raising funds 0.4%. Grants to other organisations totalled £40.6m. Reserves of £3.1m would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 57 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 0.1%
- Charitable activities 99%
- Trading 0.3%
- Investments 0.5%
In the charity's own words
Groundwork supports communities in need, working with partners to help improve the quality of peoples lives, their prospects and potential and the places where they live, work and play. Our vision is of a society of sustainable communities which are vibrant, healthy and safe, which respect the local and global environment and where individuals and enterprise prosper.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Warden and Scholars of St Mary College of Winchester | Winchester | £45.9m |
| CDP Worldwide | London | £60.5m |
| Clientearth | London | £44.1m |
| Bre Trust | Hertfordshire | £64.8m |