The Iron Foundation
SUFC Trust works in 4 key areas. Health, Education, Social Inclusion and Sports Participation. Predominantly an activity provider the Trust also provides support and advice to many local people through the medium of sport. Working with varied age groups we provide football activities across North Lincolnshire. We also deliver sessions around healthy lifestyles, teambuilding & multi-sports.
Objects
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC GENERALLY AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE INHABITANTS OF NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE, LINCOLNSHIRE AND THEIR SURROUNDING AREAS:-3.1 TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN HEALTHY RECREATION BY PROVIDING FACILITIES FOR THE PLAYING OF ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL AND OTHER SPORTS CAPABLE OF IMPROVING HEALTH ("FACILITIES" IN THIS CLAUSE 3 MEANS LAND, BUILDINGS, EQUIPMENT AND ORGANISING SPORTING ACTIVITIES);3.2 TO PROVIDE AND ASSIST IN PROVIDING FACILITIES FOR SPORT, RECREATION OR OTHER LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION OF SUCH PERSONS WHO HAVE NEED FOR SUCH FACILITIES BY REASON OF THEIR YOUTH, AGE, INFIRMITY OR DISABLEMENT, POVERTY OR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES OR FOR THE PUBLIC AT LARGE IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND WITH THE OBJECT OF IMPROVING THEIR CONDITIONS OF LIFE; AND3/3 TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH SUCH MEANS AS THE TRUSTEES THINK FIT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF CHARITY.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £82,741 for the year ended 30 June 2025, resulting in a decrease in total unrestricted reserves to £815,953. Despite this financial loss, the trustees report that the foundation remains financially stable and has maintained its staffing levels without any losses. The charity holds unrestricted reserves of £751,540, which exceeds its stated policy target of covering three months of planned expenditure.
What the accounts disclose
“The Trustees have agreed that the Foundation should establish and maintain a free (general reserve) sufficient to cover the Foundations planned expenditure for at least 3 months thus ensuring if it ever became necessary, to conduct an orderly reduction or wind down of operations, if the major sources of income were reduced to a level below which it was no longer practicably possible for the Foundation to continue its operations.” — page 9
“During the year the charity made the following related party transactions: Mrs L Butler During the year there have been purchases made of £7,200 (2024: £7,200). At the balance sheet date the amount due to/from Mrs L Butler was £Nil (2024 - £Nil). Mr A Martin During the year there have been purchases made of £5,400 (2024: £14,400). At the balance sheet date the amount due to Mr A Martin was £300 (2024 - £1,200). Page 24” — page 26
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Social media policy and procedures
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 30/06/2022)
Trustees
- ABID ALI KHAN
- Angeline Saunderson
- Angus Martin
- LOUISE Butler
- Martin Patrick McCarthy
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/06/2025 | £479k | £562k |
| 30/06/2024 | £407k | £472k |
| 30/06/2023 | £494k | £429k |
| 30/06/2022 | £570k | £462k |
| 30/06/2021 | £654k | £365k |
Common questions
Is The Iron Foundation financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £82,741 for the year ended 30 June 2025, resulting in a decrease in total unrestricted reserves to £815,953. Despite this financial loss, the trustees report that the foundation remains financially stable and has maintained its staffing levels without any losses. The charity holds unrestricted reserves of £751,540, which exceeds its stated policy target of covering three months of planned expenditure. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds The Iron Foundation?
Funders whose own accounts filings name The Iron Foundation as a grant recipient include VOLUNTARY ACTION NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE LIMITED.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| VOLUNTARY ACTION NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE LIMITED | FY2025 | £5k | Two one-day introductions to Trauma-informed care for staff and volunteers |
| VOLUNTARY ACTION NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE LIMITED | FY2024 | £2k | Chair exercise sessions |
| VOLUNTARY ACTION NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE LIMITED | FY2024 | £2k | Inclusive Football Sessions |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport England | 25/06/2025 | £7k | Iron Goals Girls |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 28/07/2023 | £10k | MH - PRO-ACTIVE SUMMER |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 04/02/2022 | £10k | SCUNTHORPE FOOTBALL MEMORIES |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE ROGER DE HAAN CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £1.1m |
| THE FOOTBALL FOUNDATION | 1 | £525k |
| STREETGAMES UK | 1 | £500k |
| MISSION INDIA | 1 | £75k |
| BNA CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION | 1 | £65k |
| THE CHILDHOOD TRUST | 1 | £58k |
| JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £30k |
| THE ORR MACKINTOSH FOUNDATION LIMITED | 1 | £15k |
Charities like this
- Lincoln City Foundation
- NORTHAMPTON TOWN FC COMMUNITY TRUST
- The Sports Trust
- SHEFFIELD UNITED COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
- THE FOOTBALL FOUNDATION
- MIDDLESBROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB FOUNDATION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Iron Foundation | £479k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| Lincoln City Foundation | £1.7m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NORTHAMPTON TOWN FC COMMUNITY TRUST | £1.4m | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| The Sports Trust | £1.4m | £70,001 - £80,000 | — | below | — | no doubt |
| SHEFFIELD UNITED COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | £2.5m | £70,001 - £80,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE FOOTBALL FOUNDATION | £128.2m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |