THE NATIONAL CHURCHES TRUST
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity achieved a surplus of £757,193 for the year, with total income rising to £5.2 million. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted reserves stood at £3.71 million, which is above the stated policy range of £2.1 million to £3.4 million. The charity reports no material uncertainties regarding its ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“One member of staff earned within the range of £70,000 to £79,999 per annum and two staff members earned within the range of £60,000 to £69,999”
“One member of staff earned within the range of £70,000 to £79,999 per annum and two staff members earned within the range of £60,000 to £69,999”
“The trustees regard it as appropriate to maintain the combined unrestricted and HCPT reserves at an amount within a range of 75% to 125% of the National Churches Trust’s previous year's unrestricted non grant expenditure plus £1 million” — page 30
“A close family member of the Chair was employed by the charity during the year on a temporary contract. Employment terms and pay were consistent with those offered to other staff for similar roles.”
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from £70,000 - £79,999 (FY2024) to £70,001 - £80,000 (FY2025).
Corporate structure
- Registered company of the charity Companies House 06265201
Funders the charity credits
- Wolfson Foundation
- The National Lottery Heritage Fund
- Jane Hodge Foundation
- Department for Communities
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (15/07/2024)
- Received assets from another charity (11/12/2023)
Trustees
- CATHERINE DONNA MCDONALD
- Catherine Marie Pepinster
- Deborah Jane Dance
- Dr Nigel Hugh Walter
- GERALD MICHAEL NOLAN CORBETT
- Henry Julian Aglionby Stanford
- Rev Canon Charles Kwaku-Odoi
- Rev Scott Rennie
- Rev Vivienne Frances Faull
- Sarah Lesley Stewart
- Sir Philip McDougall Rutnam
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £5.2m | £4.2m |
| 31/12/2024 | £3.7m | £4.5m |
| 31/12/2023 | £5.0m | £3.5m |
| 31/12/2022 | £2.8m | £2.9m |
| 31/12/2021 | £6.5m | £6.4m |
Common questions
Is THE NATIONAL CHURCHES TRUST financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity achieved a surplus of £757,193 for the year, with total income rising to £5.2 million. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted reserves stood at £3.71 million, which is above the stated policy range of £2.1 million to £3.4 million. The charity reports no material uncertainties regarding its ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Buzzacott Audit LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE NATIONAL CHURCHES TRUST earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £70,001 - £80,000 band, and 3 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds THE NATIONAL CHURCHES TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE NATIONAL CHURCHES TRUST as a grant recipient include THE HEADLEY TRUST, PAUL AND LOUISE COOKE ENDOWMENT, THE CECIL KING MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, THE BEATRICE LAING TRUST, THE A S CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 13/12/2022 | £1.9m | "Places of Worship Strategic Capacity Building Project" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 03/03/2020 | £496k | "Treasure Ireland" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 21/02/2019 | £8k | "Lincolnshire Wolds Churches Festival" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 23/01/2018 | £49k | "ExploreChurches: Great Interpretations" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 15/06/2016 | £90k | "Yorkshire Maintenance Project" |