Chetham's Hospital School and Library

Analysis

Chetham's Hospital School and Library is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Manchester. It was registered in September 1964, 62 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. It says it makes grants to individuals, provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides services.

In the financial year ending August 2025, Chetham's Hospital School and Library reported income of £14.4m and spending of £16.2m, spending 112% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from August 2021 to August 2025, income grew from £11.9m to £14.4m (+21%), an average of +4.9% a year. Over the whole period it spent 107% 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, Chetham's Hospital School and Library 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 Bristol Music Trust (£14.4m), German School Association Limited (£14.5m) and The National Literacy Trust (£14.3m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 87%, trading 6.4%, donations and legacies 4.3% and investments 2.3%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £183k. Charitable activities took 90% of spending and raising funds 8.1%. Reserves of £8.0m would cover about 6 months of spending at that rate. It employed 334 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.