BLACK SOUTH WEST NETWORK
BSWN supports BME and other marginal community organisations in the South West. Its vision and mission are to promote and advocate on behalf of the BME and other marginal Voluntary and Community Sector organisations (BVCS). To strengthen the BVCS by increasing influence in policy arenas, developing the capacity, providing support, facilitating skills and knowledge sharing across the sector.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity achieved a surplus of £1,080,508 during the year, with total incoming resources of £2,463,394 and resources expended of £1,382,886. Per the trustees' report, free unrestricted reserves stood at £1,301,322 at year-end, which the trustees confirm meet the needs of the charity's reserve policy and are sufficient to cover future committed costs.
What the accounts disclose
“The number of employees whose emoluments fell within the following bands was: 2025 No 1 £70,001 - £80,000” — page 27
“The number of employees whose emoluments fell within the following bands was: 2025 No 1 £70,001 - £80,000” — page 27
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Martina (Mina) — Operations Director
- Marti Burgess — Board Chair
- Marcus Walters — Board Vice-Chair
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- Abdi Mohamed
- Afzal Shah
- Barbara Brown
- Barbara Witter
- Dr Marcus Walters
- Marti Burgess
- Mohammed Rashid
- Olumide Cocker-Dickens
- Paul Kempster
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £2.5m | £1.4m |
| 31/03/2024 | £1.9m | £1.6m |
| 31/03/2023 | £1.5m | £880k |
| 31/03/2022 | £1.1m | £615k |
| 31/03/2021 | £840k | £539k |
Common questions
Is BLACK SOUTH WEST NETWORK financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity achieved a surplus of £1,080,508 during the year, with total incoming resources of £2,463,394 and resources expended of £1,382,886. Per the trustees' report, free unrestricted reserves stood at £1,301,322 at year-end, which the trustees confirm meet the needs of the charity's reserve policy and are sufficient to cover future committed costs. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by PKF Francis Clark.
What does the highest-paid employee of BLACK SOUTH WEST NETWORK earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £70,001 - £80,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds BLACK SOUTH WEST NETWORK?
Funders whose own accounts filings name BLACK SOUTH WEST NETWORK as a grant recipient include THE NISBET TRUST, THE GLOBAL FUND FOR CHILDREN UK TRUST, PAUL HAMLYN FOUNDATION, JOHN JAMES BRISTOL FOUNDATION, THE MERCHANT VENTURERS CHARITY.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE NISBET TRUST | FY2024 | £400k | |
| THE GLOBAL FUND FOR CHILDREN UK TRUST | FY2023 | £200k | |
| PAUL HAMLYN FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £40k | Evidence and Learning |
| JOHN JAMES BRISTOL FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £38k | Health |
| THE MERCHANT VENTURERS CHARITY | FY2021 | £25k | Community and social |
| THE MERCHANT VENTURERS CHARITY | FY2022 | £25k | Community and social |
| THE MERCHANT VENTURERS CHARITY | FY2024 | £23k | Community and social |
| QUARTET COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £20k | Catalyst grant to provide culturally appropriate meals for Black and Minoritised households to address the Cost of Living Crisis. |
| THE NISBET TRUST | FY2022 | £20k | |
| THE NISBET TRUST | FY2021 | £10k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 13/03/2026 | £5.0m | Shifting Power: Catalysing structural change from the ground up |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 29/11/2022 | £1.4m | "Re-Telling and Reimagining the Histories and Cultural Heritage of Racially Minoritized Communities in the Southwest" |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 25/05/2022 | £500k | Delivering Racial Justice in the South West |
| Barrow Cadbury Trust | 24/10/2020 | £90k | One City Approach to Race Equality |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 18/09/2020 | £160k | Saving Lives 24/7 |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 09/01/2019 | £186k | "Developing BSWNÂ’s ICH Management Capacity" |
| Barrow Cadbury Trust | 08/02/2018 | £60k | Social Investment Connect |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 08/02/2017 | £73k | "#ThereISBlackInTheUnionJack" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 01/07/2015 | £65k | "Where Are We From and Who Are We Now? - Bristol Somali Diaspora" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 01/05/2013 | £47k | "RaceÂ’ through the Generations: Digital stories from BME communities in Gloucester and Bristol" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 08/02/2011 | £45k | "Back to the Future" |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 24/01/2007 | £6k | Developing a knowledge culture within BME VCS |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE BAPTIST UNION OF GREAT BRITAIN | 1 | £614k |
| LOCAL TRUST | 1 | £306k |
| FUSION21 FOUNDATION | 1 | £81k |
| THE ALLEN LANE FOUNDATION | 1 | £12k |
| W F SOUTHALL TRUST | 1 | £4k |
| THE HOBSON CHARITY LIMITED | 1 | £3k |
| THE DAVID GIBBONS FOUNDATION | 1 | £3k |
| GOWLING WLG (UK) CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £2k |
Charities like this
- NETBALL SOUTH WEST
- SWAN (SOUTHERN WOMEN'S AID NETWORK)
- SWANSEA AND BRECON DIOCESAN BOARD FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
- SOUTH WEST BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
- SOUTH WEST COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY LIMITED
- THE BLACK SWIMMING ASSOCIATION (THE BSA)
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK SOUTH WEST NETWORK | £2.5m | £70,001 - £80,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NETBALL SOUTH WEST | £103k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| SWAN (SOUTHERN WOMEN'S AID NETWORK) | £1.3m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SWANSEA AND BRECON DIOCESAN BOARD FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY | £2.3m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SOUTH WEST BAPTIST ASSOCIATION | £360k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SOUTH WEST COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY LIMITED | £221k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |