THE ELDERS FOUNDATION
The Elders is an independent group of global leaders who offer their collective influence and experience to advance international conflict resolution and reconciliation for the public benefit with a view to relieving suffering, poverty, and distress. The Elders help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted reserves stood at £3.7 million, representing over 10 months of expenditure against a policy target of nine months. The charity reported a net expenditure of £75,000 for the year, funded by £3.6 million in income, and confirmed there are no material uncertainties regarding its ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“The policy during 2025 was to maintain available reserves sufficient to meet at least nine months’ normal operating expenditure.”
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Juan Manuel Santos — Chair
- Graça Machel — Deputy Chair
- Gro Harlem Brundtland — Elder
- Helen Clark — Elder
- Elbegdorj Tsakhia — Elder
- Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein — Elder
- Hina Jilani — Elder
- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf — Elder
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Trustees
- Dr Denis Mukwege
- Ellen Eugenia Johnson-Sirleaf
- Graca Machel
- Gro Brundtland
- Helen Clark
- Hina Jilani
- Juan Manuel Santos
- PRESIDENT MARY THERESE ROBINSON
- President Ernest Zedillo
- Tsakhia Elbegdorj
- Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £3.6m | £3.7m |
| 31/12/2024 | £3.6m | £3.9m |
| 31/12/2023 | £3.5m | £3.1m |
| 31/12/2022 | £3.3m | £3.1m |
| 31/12/2021 | £3.0m | £2.8m |
Common questions
Is THE ELDERS FOUNDATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted reserves stood at £3.7 million, representing over 10 months of expenditure against a policy target of nine months. The charity reported a net expenditure of £75,000 for the year, funded by £3.6 million in income, and confirmed there are no material uncertainties regarding its ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Buzzacott Audit LLP.
Who funds THE ELDERS FOUNDATION?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE ELDERS FOUNDATION as a grant recipient include JEREMY COLLER FOUNDATION, THE PETER GABRIEL TRUST, THE VIRGIN FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEREMY COLLER FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £181k | Grant to The Elders Foundation |
| THE PETER GABRIEL TRUST | FY2022 | £139k | |
| THE VIRGIN FOUNDATION | FY2021 | £137k | Large Scale Collaborative Initiatives |
| THE PETER GABRIEL TRUST | FY2023 | £135k | |
| THE PETER GABRIEL TRUST | FY2021 | £125k | |
| THE VIRGIN FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £100k | Large Scale Collaborative Initiatives |
| THE PETER GABRIEL TRUST | FY2024 | £8k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE TULA TRUST LIMITED | 2 | £13k |
| AGE UK | 1 | £37.3m |
| THE BAND TRUST | 1 | £310k |
| THE BAND AID CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £250k |
| THE OFENHEIM CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £48k |
| Kingsbury Charity | 1 | £35k |
| THE BRITFORD BRIDGE TRUST | 1 | £20k |
| PILKINGTON CHARITIES FUND | 1 | £17k |
Charities like this
- ELDERS' VOICE
- NEIGHBOURHOOD ELDERS TEAM
- The Elischer Foundation
- THE ELYSIUM FOUNDATION LIMITED
- THE ELMA FOUNDATION (UK)
- HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE ELDERS FOUNDATION | £3.6m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ELDERS' VOICE | £302k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| NEIGHBOURHOOD ELDERS TEAM | £271k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| The Elischer Foundation | £204k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ELYSIUM FOUNDATION LIMITED | £107k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE ELMA FOUNDATION (UK) | £3.9m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |