READ FOR GOOD
Read for Good's aim is the advancement of education of children and young people in the UK, by the promotion of reading for pleasure and associated literacy skills; and the advancement of citizenship, and the provision of relief to disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that total unrestricted free reserves stood at £1,193,781, which includes a notified but unreceived legacy donation of £282,000. The Trustees report a robust financial position despite planning for deficits in the next two years to fund programme delivery and evaluation. Cash reserves were £945,150 at year-end, with no external debt held by the charity.
What the accounts disclose
“the Trustees have prudently adjusted the current reserves policy in line with the above plans to hold reserves covering 9 to 12 months of planned expenditure.”
“During the year Authors Aloud UK Limited, a charity with a trustee in common, donated £Nil (2024: £9,120) to Read For Good.” — page 29
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (14/09/2020)
Trustees
- Siobhain Whittychair
- Amanda Shields
- Anne Everall
- Emma Bessent
- Helen West
- Kevin Alan Orchard
- Paula Regan
- Rachel Bolton
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £1.5m | £1.2m |
| 31/08/2024 | £1.1m | £1.1m |
| 31/08/2023 | £1.1m | £1.1m |
| 31/08/2022 | £1.1m | £904k |
| 31/08/2021 | £754k | £639k |
Common questions
Is READ FOR GOOD financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that total unrestricted free reserves stood at £1,193,781, which includes a notified but unreceived legacy donation of £282,000. The Trustees report a robust financial position despite planning for deficits in the next two years to fund programme delivery and evaluation. Cash reserves were £945,150 at year-end, with no external debt held by the charity. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Hazlewoods LLP.
Who funds READ FOR GOOD?
Funders whose own accounts filings name READ FOR GOOD as a grant recipient include THE EDWARD GOSTLING FOUNDATION, THE DISCWORLD FOUNDATION, THE MATHER FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST, ST PAUL'S SCHOOLS FOUNDATION, THE ADRIAN SWIRE CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation North East | 14/08/2025 | £4k | Grant to Read for Good |
| The Mercers' Company | 25/09/2024 | £300k | Grant to Read for Good |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| CHARITY OF SIR RICHARD WHITTINGTON | 3 | £311k |
| THE CHILDHOOD TRUST | 2 | £235k |
| ALLAN AND NESTA FERGUSON CHARITABLE SETTLEMENT | 2 | £30k |
| VARGA FAMILY FOUNDATION | 1 | — |
| THE JULIA RAUSING TRUST | 1 | £1.2m |
| HUMAN APPEAL | 1 | £522k |
| PENNY APPEAL | 1 | £466k |
| The Barratt Redrow Foundation | 1 | £403k |
Charities like this
- ROOM TO READ UK LIMITED
- THE READER ORGANISATION
- WORLD BOOK DAY LIMITED
- SCHOOLREADERS
- READ - THE READING AGENCY
- BOOKMARK READING CHARITY
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| READ FOR GOOD | £1.5m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ROOM TO READ UK LIMITED | £1.2m | — | 0 | unclear | 8.0% | no doubt |
| THE READER ORGANISATION | £4.6m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| WORLD BOOK DAY LIMITED | £1.3m | — | — | below | 12.6% | no doubt |
| SCHOOLREADERS | £940k | more than £60,000 | 1 | within | — | no doubt |
| READ - THE READING AGENCY | £2.8m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |