The Institute of Development Studies

Analysis

The Institute of Development Studies is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in East Sussex. It was registered in June 1966, 60 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, the prevention or relief of poverty and human rights/religious or racial harmony/equality or diversity, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 00877338). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2025, The Institute of Development Studies reported income of £23.4m and spending of £26.9m, spending 115% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £31.4m to £23.4m (-26%), an average of -7.1% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2024, when income dropped by 17%. Over the whole period it spent 103% of the income it received.

Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, The Institute of Development Studies 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 Gatsby Africa (£22.5m), The Helping Foundation (£23.9m) and St Giles Trust (£22.4m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 84%, trading 1.8% and investments 1.2%. Charitable activities took 86% of spending and raising funds 0.3%. Reserves of £5.3m would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 250 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.