FORWARD ARTS FOUNDATION
Forward Arts Foundation promotes the enjoyment, discovery and sharing of poetry, celebrating excellence in poetry and widening its audience. Our annual programmes include National Poetry Day, the Forward Prizes for Poetry and the Forward Books of Poetry.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that total incoming resources were £393,872 against total expenditure of £383,398, resulting in a net surplus for the year. The charity reports free/unrestricted reserves of £106,825, which exceeds its stated policy target of three months' spending on committed costs (£40,966). The trustees confirm adequate resources to continue operating on a going concern basis.
What the accounts disclose
“We aim to maintain cash reserves for three months spending on committed costs, to include salaries and office rent, currently £40,966.”
Trustees
- Amelia Kate Richards
- Aoife O'Connor
- Hannah Southall
- Latinka Pilipovic
- Lucy Howard-Taylor
- Mary Amanuel
- Maya Evadne Ophelia
- Nichola Shore
- Sally Carruthers Yeomans
- Steven Abbott
- William Matthew Sieghart
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £394k | £383k |
| 31/03/2024 | £258k | £263k |
| 31/03/2023 | £243k | £223k |
| 31/03/2022 | £302k | £323k |
| 31/03/2021 | £276k | £286k |
Common questions
Is FORWARD ARTS FOUNDATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that total incoming resources were £393,872 against total expenditure of £383,398, resulting in a net surplus for the year. The charity reports free/unrestricted reserves of £106,825, which exceeds its stated policy target of three months' spending on committed costs (£40,966). The trustees confirm adequate resources to continue operating on a going concern basis. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds FORWARD ARTS FOUNDATION?
Funders whose own accounts filings name FORWARD ARTS FOUNDATION as a grant recipient include JOHN ELLERMAN FOUNDATION, CHK Foundation, THE HAROLD HYAM WINGATE FOUNDATION, JERWOOD FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN ELLERMAN FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £75k | Funding to pilot and develop the UK’s first nationally significant spoken word prize – as a new category alongside existing prizes |
| CHK Foundation | FY2024 | £10k | |
| THE HAROLD HYAM WINGATE FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £5k | |
| JERWOOD FOUNDATION | FY2024 | — | 2024 Forward Prizes for Poetry |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE T. S. ELIOT FOUNDATION | 2 | £22k |
| THE FOYLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £815k |
| THE JOHN BROWNE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £130k |
| THE FENTON ARTS TRUST | 1 | £10k |
| THE GOLSONCOTT FOUNDATION | 1 | £2k |
Charities like this
- POETRY LONDON LTD
- THE FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION, ARTS AND CULTURE
- THE JOSEPHINE HART POETRY FOUNDATION
- HAY FESTIVAL FOUNDATION LTD
- FORWARD DAY CENTRE LIMITED
- Southampton Forward
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORWARD ARTS FOUNDATION | £394k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| POETRY LONDON LTD | £130k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION, ARTS AND CULTURE | £133k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE JOSEPHINE HART POETRY FOUNDATION | £326k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| HAY FESTIVAL FOUNDATION LTD | £6.9m | £110,001 - £120,000 | 3 | below | — | no doubt |
| FORWARD DAY CENTRE LIMITED | £1.6m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |