BARNABAS FUND
The charity receives donations which are then distributed by Barnabas Aid International to over 60 countries chiefly in Asia and Africa, making grants for relief and development of communities in need because of particular disadvantages. Grants are made in support of the objectives of advancing the Christian faith, the prevention or relief of suffering, poverty and to promote of human rights.
Latest income
£16.5m
Latest spending
£16.8m
Registered
2002
Accounts read
FY2024
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure deficit of £297,001 for the year ended 31 August 2024, compared to a surplus in the prior year. Per the trustees' report, the charity faces significant operational challenges, including a statutory inquiry by the Charity Commission and a dispute with Nexcus International that has restricted trustee access to financial information and bank accounts.
What the accounts disclose
Reserves policy: 2 to 3 months of normal charitable operating expenditure (held: £925k)
“The Trustees' policy is to retain a buffer equal to 2 to 3 months of normal charitable operating expenditure.”
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Payments for rent to Servants Fellowship International (SFI).
“During the year under review BAL made payments totalling £100,000 (2023 - £95,000) for rent to SFI.”
“During the year under review Nexcus International claimed donations of £13,333,786 (2023 £14,212,917) from BAL” — page 46
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Nexcus International claimed donations of £13,333,786 from BAL.
“During the year under review BAL made payments totalling £100,000 (2023 - £95,000) for rent to SFI.”
“During the year under review Nexcus International claimed donations of £13,333,786 (2023 £14,212,917) from BAL” — page 46
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Nexcus International provided operating grants of £821,207 to BAL.
“During the year under review BAL made payments totalling £100,000 (2023 - £95,000) for rent to SFI.”
“During the year under review Nexcus International claimed donations of £13,333,786 (2023 £14,212,917) from BAL” — page 46
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Nexcus International recharged payroll costs of £1,635,052 for seconded staff.
“During the year under review BAL made payments totalling £100,000 (2023 - £95,000) for rent to SFI.”
“During the year under review Nexcus International claimed donations of £13,333,786 (2023 £14,212,917) from BAL” — page 46
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Donations received from K.A.F KITI Almond Foundation.
“During the year under review BAL made payments totalling £100,000 (2023 - £95,000) for rent to SFI.”
“During the year under review Nexcus International claimed donations of £13,333,786 (2023 £14,212,917) from BAL” — page 46
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Governance: Charity Commission statutory inquiry opened on 17 September 2024 under s46 of the Charities Act 2011.
“the intervention of the Charity Commission in opening on 17 September 2024 a statutory inquiry under s46 of the Charities Act 2011, escalating previous regulatory engagement.” — page 9
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Charity Commission inquiry
“The opening of an inquiry is not a finding of wrongdoing.”
“The Commission is investigating issues, including allegations of unauthorised payments to some of the current and former trustees and related parties”
“the Commission has used its powers to temporarily restrict any transactions the charity intends to make which are over £4,000.”
Per the Commission’s published report. Summary is automated; the official report is authoritative.
The Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry in September 2024 to investigate serious governance and financial concerns, including allegations of unauthorized payments to trustees. The Commission appointed interim managers to exclude the trustees and take full control of the charity's administration and assets while the inquiry remains ongoing.
“The charity was placed under statutory inquiry in September 2024 to investigate serious governance and financial concerns including allegations of unauthorised payments to some of the current and former trustees and related parties.”
“Edwina Turner and Catherine Gibbons of Anthony Collins LLP have been appointed as interim managers of the charity to the exclusion of the charity’s trustees.”
“The Commission’s inquiry into the charity remains ongoing.”
Per the Commission’s published report. Summary is automated; the official report is authoritative.
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2024)
Total income
£16.5m
Total spending
£16.8m
Cost of raising funds
£217k
Reserves (reported)
£940k
Employees
24
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (17/02/2026)
- Received assets from another charity (01/02/2024)
- Received assets from another charity (05/01/2024)
- Received assets from another charity (25/08/2022)
Trustees
- William Philip Seymour Richardschair
- CAROLINE JULIA CHENEVIX KERSLAKE
- Dr Dhinakaran Robert Jaba Prasad Phillips
- Rev Bathula Vinay Kumar Samuel
- Rev I McNaughton
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | — | — |
| 31/08/2024 | £16.5m | £16.8m |
| 31/08/2023 | £19.5m | £18.2m |
| 31/08/2022 | £21.6m | £20.0m |
| 31/08/2021 | £18.3m | £18.1m |
Common questions
Is BARNABAS FUND financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure deficit of £297,001 for the year ended 31 August 2024, compared to a surplus in the prior year. Per the trustees' report, the charity faces significant operational challenges, including a statutory inquiry by the Charity Commission and a dispute with Nexcus International that has restricted trustee access to financial information and bank accounts. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Griffin Stone Moscrop & Co.
Who funds BARNABAS FUND?
Funders whose own accounts filings name BARNABAS FUND as a grant recipient include THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST KEA, TRURO.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST KEA, TRURO | FY2023 | £2k | Gospel Partnership |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST KEA, TRURO | FY2022 | £2k | Gospel Partnerships |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST KEA, TRURO | FY2021 | £2k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| LOCAL TRUST | 1 | £386k |
| GREATER LONDON VOLUNTEERING | 1 | £121k |
| BANBURY CHARITIES | 1 | £36k |
| THE PRET FOUNDATION | 1 | £30k |
| NORWICH CONSOLIDATED CHARITIES | 1 | £16k |
| HIGHGATE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY | 1 | £11k |
| THE GOYAL FOUNDATION | 1 | £10k |
| REDEEMER CHURCH CHESTER LE STREET | 1 | £9k |
Charities like this
- ST BARNABAS COUNSELLING CENTRE
- BARNABAS FELLOWSHIP OF CHURCHES TRUST
- REGIONS BEYOND UK
- BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH
- TBF TRUST
- NARAYAN SEVA SANSTHAN UK
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BARNABAS FUND | £16.5m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ST BARNABAS COUNSELLING CENTRE | £175k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BARNABAS FELLOWSHIP OF CHURCHES TRUST | £154k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| REGIONS BEYOND UK | £353k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BANBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH | £245k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| TBF TRUST | £1.0m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |