THE RCN FOUNDATION
Latest income
£1.7m
Latest spending
£2.1m
Registered
2010
Accounts read
FY2025
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity holds substantial free reserves of £33.06 million, significantly exceeding its operational needs, with a net increase in funds of £3.9 million for the year. The organization remains heavily reliant on investment income and reserves to fund its charitable objectives, though voluntary income showed strong growth. The trustees and auditors confirm there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
Reserves policy: 4% of the value of our net assets, averaged over the quarter end values of the last three calendar years (held: £33.1m)
“In January 2023, the trustees determined an appropriate spending policy, concluding that annual expenditure funded by investments would be set at 4% of the value of our net assets, averaged over the quarter end values of the last three calendar years.” — page 22
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Service fee paid to RCN UK for staff and services.
“In 2025, the RCN charged the RCN Foundation a service fee of £1,037,890 based on the service level agreement that is in place between the two entities for the provision of staff and services provided for governance, finance and marketing” — page 60
“In addition, the RCN Foundation awarded the RCN a £3,600 grant towards the Winifred Raphael Memorial Lecture and a further £15,000 for the Early Career Researcher Bridging Fellowship.” — page 60
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Grants awarded to RCN for specific projects.
“In 2025, the RCN charged the RCN Foundation a service fee of £1,037,890 based on the service level agreement that is in place between the two entities for the provision of staff and services provided for governance, finance and marketing” — page 60
“In addition, the RCN Foundation awarded the RCN a £3,600 grant towards the Winifred Raphael Memorial Lecture and a further £15,000 for the Early Career Researcher Bridging Fellowship.” — page 60
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Governance: The Foundation acknowledges a long-standing risk regarding an inadequate CRM system which obstructed grant-making delivery.
“A key risk that remained elevated in the RCN Group risk register was an inadequate CRM system. This is a long-standing issue linked to the reliance on the RCN’s CRM system.” — page 19
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
What the charity says about itself (2024)
The charity awarded over £200,000 in hardship grants to individuals facing urgent challenges.
“We responded to a marked increase in need across the UK, awarding over £200,000 in hardship grants, to individuals facing urgent challenges, making a tangible difference.”
The charity directly supported 698 nursing and midwifery professionals through hardship and educational grants in 2024.
“2024 saw the Foundation directly support 698 nurses, midwives and healthcare support workers through the award of hardship and educational grants in addition to the many hundreds of others impacted through the projects we funded.”
The charity awarded 122 education grants totaling £183,000 to support professional development.
“During the year, £183,000 in education grants was awarded to 122 individuals across the four countries. From entry into nursing to postgraduate education, our grants fuel professional growth across the UK.”
The charity launched a £300,000 three-year research initiative focused on improving health outcomes for individuals with learning disabilities.
“We launched our Learning Disability Nursing Programme Inclusive Health – Enhancing the Lives of Individuals with Learning Disabilities, a £300,000, three-year research initiative that includes studies designed to improve quality of life outcomes for individuals with learning disabilities.”
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Professor Michael West CBE — Patron
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Total income
£1.7m
Total spending
£2.1m
Cost of raising funds
£447k
Reserves (reported)
£33.1m
Employees
15
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (24/03/2026)
- Received assets from another charity (24/03/2026)
- Received assets from another charity (01/07/2022)
Trustees
- Professor Jane Frances Cummings CBEchair
- Alison Claire Hoad
- Anthony Joseph Osijo
- CRISTY BELLE JALECO
- Dr Crystal Elizabeth Oldman
- Dr Maria Alice Pollard
- Fiona Bickley
- Gordon Robert Hull
- Gregory James Dix
- Moya Kate Kirmond
- Professor Charlotte Theresa McArdle
- Professor Deborah Ann Sturdy CBE
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £1.7m | £2.1m |
| 31/12/2024 | £1.2m | £2.0m |
| 31/12/2023 | £1.4m | £1.8m |
| 31/12/2022 | £1.3m | £2.2m |
| 31/12/2021 | £1.5m | £3.9m |
Common questions
Is THE RCN FOUNDATION financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity holds substantial free reserves of £33.06 million, significantly exceeding its operational needs, with a net increase in funds of £3.9 million for the year. The organization remains heavily reliant on investment income and reserves to fund its charitable objectives, though voluntary income showed strong growth. The trustees and auditors confirm there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Crowe UK LLP.
Who funds THE RCN FOUNDATION?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE RCN FOUNDATION as a grant recipient include The Leathersellers' Foundation, THE LIGHT FUND COMPANY, THE EARL FITZWILLIAM CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Leathersellers' Foundation | FY2023 | £25k |
| THE LIGHT FUND COMPANY | FY2023 | £5k |
| THE EARL FITZWILLIAM CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £2k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| ONE FOOTSTEP | 1 | — |
| THE NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME | 1 | £870k |
| COUNTY AIR AMBULANCE TRUST | 1 | £354k |
| KUSUMA TRUST UK | 1 | £337k |
| PARKINSON'S DISEASE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM | 1 | £169k |
| THE BRIDGE RENEWAL TRUST | 1 | £131k |
| THE MOTIVATION CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £81k |
| ENFIELD LIONS CLUB (CIO) | 1 | £50k |