THE GEOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION
The GA's mission is the advancement of education for the public benefit by furthering geographical knowledge and understanding through the promotion and dissemination of good practice in geographical teaching and learning. It operates mainly in the UK. Funding is derived from membership subscriptions, sales of educational resources, training event fees and externally funded curriculum projects.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit before investment losses of £85,263 for the year ended 31 August 2025, resulting in an overall net reduction in funds of £366. However, the trustees consider the closing balance sheet to remain robust, with total net assets of £2,194,873 and free reserves of £1,959,139, which are above the stated target level.
What the accounts disclose
“Membership subscriptions represent about 43% of the GA’s annual income and are the GA’s single largest source of income.” — page 10
“Based on the Trustees’ evaluation of the above reserve requirements, a target level of free reserves (excluding restricted funds and tangible fixed assets) as at 31 August 2025 was £1,573,000.” — page 19
“Complimentary membership is granted to trustees during their term as a trustees should they wish. During the year, 9 such memberships were provided, with an equivalent market value of £675 (2024: 10 memberships valued at £750).” — page 53
In the news
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2025)
Trustees
- Alastair John Owenschair
- Anthony Barlow
- Catherine Owen
- DR Paula Richardson
- Denise Ann Howlett
- Fiona Sheriff
- Hina Robinson
- James Hagan Nana Esson
- John Hopkin
- Lawrence Michael Bate
- Mark James Froud
- Peter Alan Brock
- Robert Chambers
- Sophie Wilson
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £1.2m | £1.3m |
| 31/08/2024 | £1.3m | £1.3m |
| 31/08/2023 | £1.1m | £1.2m |
| 31/08/2022 | £1.1m | £1.3m |
| 31/08/2021 | £954k | £963k |
Common questions
Is THE GEOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit before investment losses of £85,263 for the year ended 31 August 2025, resulting in an overall net reduction in funds of £366. However, the trustees consider the closing balance sheet to remain robust, with total net assets of £2,194,873 and free reserves of £1,959,139, which are above the stated target level. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Sumer Auditco Limited.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| ROYAL COMMISSION FOR THE EXHIBITION OF 1851 | 1 | £155k |
| THE RISMAN FOUNDATION | 1 | £50k |
| THE CADOGAN CHARITY | 1 | £20k |
| THE JENOUR FOUNDATION | 1 | £7k |
| ANTIPODE FOUNDATION LTD. | 1 | £6k |
| THE GOSLING FOUNDATION LIMITED | 1 | £5k |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREEN STREET GREEN AND PRATTS BOTTOM (ST. MARY'S WITH ALL SOULS) | 1 | £4k |
| THE THOMAS FARR CHARITY | 1 | £3k |
Charities like this
- THE GEOLOGISTS' ASSOCIATION
- THE GUIDE ASSOCIATION
- ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY (WITH THE INSTITUTE OF BRITISH GEOGRAPHERS)
- The Gemmological Association of Great Britain
- THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON
- GROUP ANALYTIC SOCIETY ,INTERNATIONAL
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE GEOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION | £1.2m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE GEOLOGISTS' ASSOCIATION | £326k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE GUIDE ASSOCIATION | £31.6m | £70,001 - £80,000 | — | above | — | no doubt |
| ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY (WITH THE INSTITUTE OF BRITISH GEOGRAPHERS) | £6.1m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| The Gemmological Association of Great Britain | £3.3m | £100,001 - £110,000 | — | within | — | no doubt |
| THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON | £6.1m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |