The Adam Smith Research Trust

Analysis

The Adam Smith Research Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in February 1990, 36 years ago. Its declared purposes cover economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under community and economic development. Legally it is a charitable trust. It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and sponsors or undertakes research.

In the financial year ending September 2025, The Adam Smith Research Trust reported income of £447k and spending of £277k, leaving 38% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2021 to September 2025, income grew from £223k to £447k (+101%), an average of +19% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2023, when income rose by 126%. Over the whole period it spent 96% of the income it received.

Among 1,869 England and Wales charities whose main cause is community and economic development and that reported income, The Adam Smith Research Trust sits at the 84th percentile: it is larger than about 84% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 89th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Young Womens Project (£443k), Highley Minors Childcare Centre (£449k) and Manor Community Childcare Centre Limited (£433k).

Data notes from the register: The latest annual return was received after its deadline.