The Bronte Society
Analysis
The Bronte Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Keighley. It was registered in August 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. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 00073855). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The Bronte Society reported income of £1.8m and spending of £1.4m, leaving 24% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2020 to March 2025, income grew from £1.1m to £1.8m (+66%), an average of +13% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 499%. Over the whole period it spent 52% 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, The Bronte Society sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 97% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum (£1.8m), Richmond Upon Thames Music Trust Company Limited (£1.8m) and Bromley Youth Music Trust (£1.8m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 78%, trading 18%, donations and legacies 3.4% and investments 1.1%. Charitable activities took 79% of spending and raising funds 18%. Reserves of £557k would cover about 5 months of spending at that rate. It employed 40 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 3.4%
- Charitable activities 78%
- Trading 18%
- Investments 1.1%
In the charity's own words
One of the oldest literary societies in the English speaking world, with an international membership, the Bronte Society owns and runs the iconic Grade I Parsonage Museum celebrating the lives of the Brontes. Our accredited world class collections are displayed throughout the museum and library. We run education and learning activities, artistic events, residencies and exhibitions.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum | London | £1.8m |
| Richmond Upon Thames Music Trust Company Limited | Twickenham | £1.8m |
| Bromley Youth Music Trust | Bromley | £1.8m |
| Wessex Rivers Trust | Wiltshire | £1.8m |