BIG LOCAL TRUST
Financial health, per its FY2023 accounts
The accounts state that total funds decreased from £55.9m to £38.1m during the year, driven by a net decrease in funds of £17.8m as the charity spent down its endowment. The trustees confirm that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, with sufficient contingencies within the held funds to cover unforeseen costs.
What the accounts disclose
“Eight employees, who were also the key management personnel, were remunerated over £60k in the year (2022: six employees)” — page 44
“During the period April 2022 to March 2023, Local Trust paid Big Local Trust £139k for staff time and expenses spent on Local Trust activities, that were initially paid for through Big Local Trust (2022: 122k). There was no creditor balance at 31 March 2023 (2022: £19k). In addition, Big Local Trust made a contribution of £17k to Local Trust to cover surplus CCC closure costs, had an outstanding debtor balance with Local Trust of £17k as at 31 March 2023 (2022: nil). David Warner is a trustee of Local Trust and an associate of IVAR. He undertook assignments during the year ended 31 March 2023, but not related to Local Trust. Local Trust contracted IVAR and Just Ideas to work on evaluation and learning support for the Community Leadership Academy, between April 2022 and March 2023, with a total contract value of £75k (2021-22: £179.6k). During the year to 31 March 2023, Big Local Trust paid IVAR £36k for evaluation and learning support during the period (2022: £63k). Charlotte Pickles is a trustee of Local Trust and executive Director of Reform Research Trust. Reform Research Trust was commissioned, via a competitive tender, to be the policy partner for the APPG for Left Behind Neighbourhoods, funded by Big Local Trust. During the year to 31 March 2023, Big Local Trust paid Reform Research Trust £30k for APPG policy support during the period.” — page 45
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Rachel Rowney — Chief executive
- Jon Fox — Deputy chief executive
Funders the charity credits
- The National Lottery Community Fund
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- LOCAL TRUST
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £2.1m | £8.8m |
| 31/03/2024 | £2.9m | £17.4m |
| 31/03/2023 | £1.7m | £20.3m |
| 31/03/2022 | £380k | £25.1m |
| 31/03/2021 | £1.0m | £21.1m |
Common questions
Is BIG LOCAL TRUST financially healthy?
The accounts state that total funds decreased from £55.9m to £38.1m during the year, driven by a net decrease in funds of £17.8m as the charity spent down its endowment. The trustees confirm that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, with sufficient contingencies within the held funds to cover unforeseen costs. Its FY2023 accounts were audited by Moore Kingston Smith LLP.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE GUILD ESTATE ENDOWMENT | 1 | £3.3m |
| THE MASTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £2.5m |
| COLLEGE ESTATE ENDOWMENT | 1 | £1.4m |
| AKO FOUNDATION | 1 | £960k |
| POWER TO CHANGE TRUST | 1 | £529k |
| BRIDGE HOUSE ESTATES | 1 | £295k |
| AEONIAN FOUNDATION | 1 | £205k |
| FOUNTAIN OF CHESSED LIMITED | 1 | £49k |