The Barlow Institute

Analysis

The Barlow Institute is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Bolton. It was registered in June 1964, 62 years ago. Its declared purposes cover amateur sport and recreation, which this site groups under amateur sport and recreation. It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space.

In the financial year ending December 2025, The Barlow Institute reported income of £875k and spending of £371k, leaving 58% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £865k to £875k (+1.2%), an average of +0.3% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2025, when income rose by 188%. Over the whole period it spent 75% of the income it received.

Among 12,174 England and Wales charities whose main cause is amateur sport and recreation and that reported income, The Barlow Institute sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 93rd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Amazing Kids Club Ltd (£874k), The Cobnor Activities Centre Trust (£877k) and Caras Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers Ltd (£872k).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 66% and charitable activities 2.2%. Charitable activities took 24% of spending and raising funds 75%. Reserves of £50k would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 15 people.