THE NESTA TRUST
Registered charity 1144683 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register
The Nesta Trust works through its Trustee, Nesta (charity no 1144091), to bring great ideas to life, supporting individuals, charities, social enterprises, businesses and public organisations with financial and practical support. Nesta works to improve the conditions in which great ideas can flourish - addressing policy and structural conditions that can energise or stifle creativity.
Causes: General Charitable Purposes · Education/training · The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives · The Prevention Or Relief Of Poverty · Arts/culture/heritage/science · Environment/conservation/heritage · Grant history (this charity is a funder) · website · Get email alerts
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the Trust reported a net decrease in funds of £5 million for the year ended 31 March 2025, driven by £36 million in expenditure primarily comprising transfers to Nesta, partially offset by £13 million in net investment gains. Reserves stood at £423 million, which the Trustee deems essential to generate sustainable income, with no plans to spend down reserves.
Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.
What the accounts disclose
Reserves policy: The value of the Trust assets do not fall below £260 million (held: £423.3m)
“The Trust Deed requires that the value of the Trust assets do not fall below £260 million.” — page 9
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Nesta drew down £22.4 million for operational activities.
“Nesta drew down £22.4 million (2024: £21.3 million) from the Trust to fund operational activities.” — page 26
“Nesta drew down £9.8 million (2024: £8.1 million) from the Trust to fund investment and exceptional spending initiatives.” — page 26
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Nesta drew down £9.8 million for investment and exceptional spending initiatives.
“Nesta drew down £22.4 million (2024: £21.3 million) from the Trust to fund operational activities.” — page 26
“Nesta drew down £9.8 million (2024: £8.1 million) from the Trust to fund investment and exceptional spending initiatives.” — page 26
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Nesta was invoiced £2.9 million for rent.
“Nesta drew down £22.4 million (2024: £21.3 million) from the Trust to fund operational activities.” — page 26
“Nesta drew down £9.8 million (2024: £8.1 million) from the Trust to fund investment and exceptional spending initiatives.” — page 26
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Nesta contributed £0.2 million towards Nesta staff time spent on the administration of the Trust.
“Nesta drew down £22.4 million (2024: £21.3 million) from the Trust to fund operational activities.” — page 26
“Nesta drew down £9.8 million (2024: £8.1 million) from the Trust to fund investment and exceptional spending initiatives.” — page 26
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Governance: The process to recruit the Protector replacement has been interrupted due to the relevant government minister changing and is still not concluded.
“The process to recruit his replacement has been interrupted due to the relevant government minister changing and is still not concluded.”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Accounts audited by RSM UK Audit LLP. Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.
Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): facebook · instagram
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Cost of raising funds
£188k
Reported reserves equal ~0.0 months of spending — in the bottom quarter for charities its size (median 4.6 months; benchmarks).
Per its annual return, largest income source: Investments (100% of income) — components as reported reconcile to the return’s total income; not from the accounts narrative.
Per its annual return, cost of raising funds: 1.1% of total income — below the median for charities its size (3.8%) (benchmarks).
Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).
Operates in: Throughout England And Wales
Income and spending
Common questions
Is THE NESTA TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the Trust reported a net decrease in funds of £5 million for the year ended 31 March 2025, driven by £36 million in expenditure primarily comprising transfers to Nesta, partially offset by £13 million in net investment gains. Reserves stood at £423 million, which the Trustee deems essential to generate sustainable income, with no plans to spend down reserves. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by RSM UK Audit LLP.
Government & lottery funding
Grants to this charity published as open data by government and lottery funders (360Giving).
Funders of similar charities
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Side by side with its peers
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