BACKSTAGE TRUST
Primary focus are projects in live performing arts, mainly theatre. Main areas of support are: consultant advice to help with the professional development of small scale arts organisations, assisting live arts projects involving disadvantaged children and young people, feasibility studies for capital projects and consultant advice on fundraising/case for support/recruiting development staff.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net surplus of £4,264,654 for the year ended 5 April 2025, funded primarily by donations totaling £7,500,000. Total reserves at year-end amounted to £25,174,583, all held within the expendable endowment fund. The trustees confirmed the charity is sustainable as a going concern with significant endowment assets.
What the accounts disclose
“During the year, Backstage Trust’s primary source of income were donations from Dame Susie Sainsbury and the Gatsby Charitable Foundation totalling £7,500,000.” — page 5
“In the year under review, there was a planned deficit of income over expenditure on the unrestricted funds of £3,235,345 (2024: £5,208,406). This has been funded by a transfer from expendable endowment.” — page 4
“Donations of £5,000,000 from the Trustees, of which £2,000,000 are subject to Gift Aid were received during the year (2024: £0). A £2,000,000 donation was also received from The Gatsby Charitable Foundation (2024: £22,000,000), of which two of Dame Susie’s daughters are Trustees.” — page 19
“Included above is £13,020 payable for legal services to Broadfield Law UK LLP (2024: £15,664), a firm in which Mr Dominic Flynn is a partner” — page 17
“Donations of £5,000,000 from the Trustees, of which £2,000,000 are subject to Gift Aid were received during the year (2024: £0). A £2,000,000 donation was also received from The Gatsby Charitable Foundation (2024: £22,000,000), of which two of Dame Susie’s daughters are Trustees.” — page 19
“Included above is £13,020 payable for legal services to Broadfield Law UK LLP (2024: £15,664), a firm in which Mr Dominic Flynn is a partner” — page 17
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 05/04/2025)
Trustees
- DAME SUSIE SAINSBURY
- DAVID WOOD
- DOMINIC FLYNN
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 05/04/2025 | £1.5m | £4.8m |
| 05/04/2024 | £22.5m | £5.7m |
| 05/04/2023 | £7.2m | £4.2m |
| 05/04/2022 | £3.1m | £4.4m |
| 05/04/2021 | £4.5m | £4.1m |
Common questions
Is BACKSTAGE TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net surplus of £4,264,654 for the year ended 5 April 2025, funded primarily by donations totaling £7,500,000. Total reserves at year-end amounted to £25,174,583, all held within the expendable endowment fund. The trustees confirmed the charity is sustainable as a going concern with significant endowment assets. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Crowe U.K. LLP.
Who funds BACKSTAGE TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name BACKSTAGE TRUST as a grant recipient include THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INTERNATIONAL GUITAR FOUNDATION & FESTIVALS.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £22.0m | Towards core costs and project costs. |
| THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £2.0m | Towards core costs and project costs. |
| THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £2.0m | Towards core costs and to provide hardship support to artists and theatre workers adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £2.0m | Towards core costs and project costs. |
| INTERNATIONAL GUITAR FOUNDATION & FESTIVALS | FY2022 | £5k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE THEATRES TRUST CHARITABLE FUND | 2 | £26k |
| THE AUSTIN AND HOPE PILKINGTON TRUST | 2 | £10k |
| MOONDANCE FOUNDATION | 1 | £750k |
| THE RANDAL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £300k |
| HUO FAMILY FOUNDATION (UK) LIMITED | 1 | £204k |
| THE FOYLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £100k |
| THE HEADLEY TRUST | 1 | £33k |
| PETER STORMONTH DARLING CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £28k |
Charities like this
- THEATRE DEVELOPMENT TRUST
- THE THEATRES TRUST CHARITABLE FUND
- LEICESTER THEATRE TRUST LIMITED
- THE BARN THEATRE TRUST LIMITED
- THE MAYFLOWER THEATRE TRUST
- LEEDS THEATRE TRUST LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BACKSTAGE TRUST | £1.5m | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| THEATRE DEVELOPMENT TRUST | £1.0m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE THEATRES TRUST CHARITABLE FUND | £1.4m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| LEICESTER THEATRE TRUST LIMITED | £18.5m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE BARN THEATRE TRUST LIMITED | £243k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE MAYFLOWER THEATRE TRUST | £28.8m | £190,001 - £200,000 | — | above | — | no doubt |