The Kelmarsh Trust

Analysis

The Kelmarsh Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Northampton. It was registered in September 1986, 40 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under environment and conservation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01672106). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space.

In the financial year ending March 2025, The Kelmarsh Trust reported income of £1.3m and spending of £1.3m, spending 97% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £1.1m to £1.3m (+18%), an average of +4.3% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2025, when income rose by 24%. Over the whole period it spent 92% of the income it received.

Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, The Kelmarsh Trust sits at the 95th percentile: it is larger than about 95% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 95th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Gwent Wildlife Trust Ltd (£1.3m), Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (£1.4m) and Ninmah Trust (£1.3m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from investments 41%, trading 25%, donations and legacies 16% and charitable activities 8.7%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £200k. Charitable activities took 69% of spending and raising funds 29%. Reserves of £228k would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 12 people.