SOUTH DOWNS PLANETARIUM
Promote - science & technology particularly to children of all ages and the public understanding of science to all.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure of £7,813 for the year, resulting in a decrease in total funds from £1,184,776 to £1,176,963. The Trustees attribute this deficit to reduced school visit revenue, lower investment income, and decreased donations, while noting that total visitor numbers increased. Despite the deficit, the charity maintains unrestricted reserves of £1,097,080 and reports no material uncertainties regarding its ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“John Mason MBE, one of the trustees, was paid £20,280 in the year (£20,280 for the year ended 30th April 2024) as professional fees for the presentation of lectures.” — page 16
Property (HM Land Registry)
Trustees
- ANN ELIZABETH MILLSchair
- DR JOHN WILLIAM MASON MBE
- ROBERT KIRK BA
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/04/2025 | £118k | £124k |
| 30/04/2024 | £131k | £94k |
| 30/04/2023 | £92k | £93k |
| 30/04/2022 | £77k | £130k |
| 30/04/2021 | £63k | £91k |
Common questions
Is SOUTH DOWNS PLANETARIUM financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure of £7,813 for the year, resulting in a decrease in total funds from £1,184,776 to £1,176,963. The Trustees attribute this deficit to reduced school visit revenue, lower investment income, and decreased donations, while noting that total visitor numbers increased. Despite the deficit, the charity maintains unrestricted reserves of £1,097,080 and reports no material uncertainties regarding its ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds SOUTH DOWNS PLANETARIUM?
Funders whose own accounts filings name SOUTH DOWNS PLANETARIUM as a grant recipient include THE F GLENISTER WOODGER TRUST CIO, THE BASSIL SHIPPAM AND ALSFORD TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE F GLENISTER WOODGER TRUST CIO | FY2025 | £422k | |
| THE BASSIL SHIPPAM AND ALSFORD TRUST | FY2024 | £15k | 21.07.23 South Downs Planetarium |
| THE F GLENISTER WOODGER TRUST CIO | FY2024 | £0 |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| GARFIELD WESTON FOUNDATION | 1 | £225k |
| BEIS MENACHEM CHABAD LUBAVITCH | 1 | £183k |
| THE FOYLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £100k |
| ROYAL COMMISSION FOR THE EXHIBITION OF 1851 | 1 | £50k |
| THE RANDAL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £40k |
| CML - CHEVRAS MO'OZ LADOL | 1 | £21k |
| YESHIVAS LUBAVITCH MANCHESTER | 1 | £20k |
| THE ALBERT GUBAY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £12k |
Charities like this
- SCIENCE PROJECTS
- NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE
- MANSFIELD AND SUTTON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY CIO
- YAD VEACHISOMOCH L'CHAIM
- THE SOUTHDOWN SCHOOL TRUST
- BEIS HAMEDRASH SHAAREI TEFILLAH
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOUTH DOWNS PLANETARIUM | £118k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SCIENCE PROJECTS | £1.2m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE | £9.9m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| MANSFIELD AND SUTTON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY CIO | £2.5m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| YAD VEACHISOMOCH L'CHAIM | £834k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE SOUTHDOWN SCHOOL TRUST | £144k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |