The Reading Foundation

Analysis

The Reading Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Reading. It was registered in June 1986, 40 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, which this site groups under education and training. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02025362). It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides buildings/facilities/open space.

In the financial year ending July 2025, The Reading Foundation reported income of £517k and spending of £572k, spending 111% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from July 2021 to July 2025, income grew from £212k to £517k (+144%), an average of +25% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to July 2025, when income rose by 203%. Over the whole period it spent 132% of the income it received.

Among 21,402 England and Wales charities whose main cause is education and training and that reported income, The Reading Foundation sits at the 91st percentile: it is larger than about 91% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 90th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Tawhid Educational Trust (£517k), Steps Community Nursery (High Green) (£518k) and Little Learners (£517k).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 71% and investments 29%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £15k. Charitable activities took 100% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £3.6m would cover about 77 months of spending at that rate.

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.