Charity Accounts Intelreading the accounts so you don’t have to

THE NESTA TRUST

Registered charity 1144683 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register

Latest income
£17.3m
Latest spending
£35.8m
Registered
2011
Accounts read
FY2025

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.

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.

Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)

Total income
£17.3m
Total spending
£35.8m
Cost of raising funds
£188k
Reserves (reported)
£0
Employees
0

Reported reserves equal ~0.0 months of spending — in the bottom quarter for charities its size (median 4.6 months; benchmarks).

Trustees

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Throughout England And Wales

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/03/2025£17.3m£35.8m
31/03/2024£16.4m£30.3m
31/03/2023£11.7m£26.6m
31/03/2022£9.5m£38.5m
31/03/2021£10.2m£29.3m

Common questions

Is THE NESTA TRUST financially healthy?

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.

Funders of similar charities

Funders whose accounts show grants to charities similar to this one (and no recorded grant to this charity) — a starting list for fundraisers.

FunderSimilar charities fundedAmount to them
King Charles III Charitable Fund1—
THE PEARS FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION1£1.6m
THE MASTER CHARITABLE TRUST1£1.3m
THE NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME1£780k
REUBEN FOUNDATION1£546k
THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE CHARITABLE TRUST1£80k
The Trevor Hemmings Foundation1£50k
THE HEALTH FOUNDATION1£40k

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