Booktrust
Analysis
Booktrust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Leeds. It was registered in July 1963, 63 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 company (Companies House number 00210012). It says it provides services, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Booktrust reported income of £12.4m and spending of £12.5m, spending 101% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £10.4m to £12.4m (+20%), an average of +4.6% a year. Over the whole period it spent 104% 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, Booktrust sits at the 99th 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 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Epping Forest (£12.4m), Rsa (The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) (£12.6m) and Churches Conservation Trust (£12.0m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 82% and donations and legacies 17%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £33k. Charitable activities took 91% of spending and raising funds 8.8%. Reserves of £6.2m would cover about 6 months of spending at that rate. It employed 102 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.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 17%
- Legacies 0.3%
- Charitable activities 82%
- Trading 0.3%
- Investments 0.6%
In the charity's own words
Reading changes lives. Booktrust ensures all children and families have the opportunity to enjoy and be confident in their reading. We provide expertise for parents and professionals to make quality choices of reading for children. We engage with communities in the promotion of reading. And we advocate for national and local policies to recognise the social and economic importance of reading.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Epping Forest | London | £12.4m |
| Rsa (The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) | London | £12.6m |
| Churches Conservation Trust | Northampton | £12.0m |
| The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society | Liverpool | £12.6m |