CAMBRIDGE LITERARY FESTIVAL
The objects of the Company are the advancement of education for the benefit of the public by the promotion of literature, language and the arts in particular through a literary festival in Cambridge, and such other activities as the members of the Management Committee shall from time to time determine.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported an unrestricted surplus of £45,356 for the year ended 30 June 2025, bringing total unrestricted funds to £277,288. The trustees confirm that free reserves of £280,748 exceed their stated policy target of £206,000, providing adequate resources to continue operations until December 2026.
What the accounts disclose
“Charitable activities 2 319,770 317,145” — page 13
“The board considers that it should have a minimum of £206,000 of cash reserves to meet nine months of fixed operational costs.” — page 11
“One of the trustees of the Festival is also a Trustee of Binks Trust which made a donation of £30,000 (2024: £20,000) to the festival during the year.” — page 22
“One of the trustees of the festival is also a director of Trinity Hall Residences (1) Limited which made a donation of £10,000 (2024: Enil) to the festival during the year.” — page 22
“One of the trustees of the Festival is also a Trustee of Binks Trust which made a donation of £30,000 (2024: £20,000) to the festival during the year.” — page 22
“One of the trustees of the festival is also a director of Trinity Hall Residences (1) Limited which made a donation of £10,000 (2024: Enil) to the festival during the year.” — page 22
Trustees
- William Alexander Boweschair
- Alison Shakespeare
- KAREN DUFFY
- Katherine Elizabeth Kirk
- Rachael Alexandra Beale
- Renee Etienne
- Timothy James Harvey-Samuel
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/06/2025 | £485k | £440k |
| 30/06/2024 | £455k | £405k |
| 30/06/2023 | £416k | £375k |
| 30/06/2022 | £255k | £260k |
| 30/06/2021 | £239k | £255k |
Common questions
Is CAMBRIDGE LITERARY FESTIVAL financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported an unrestricted surplus of £45,356 for the year ended 30 June 2025, bringing total unrestricted funds to £277,288. The trustees confirm that free reserves of £280,748 exceed their stated policy target of £206,000, providing adequate resources to continue operations until December 2026. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds CAMBRIDGE LITERARY FESTIVAL?
Funders whose own accounts filings name CAMBRIDGE LITERARY FESTIVAL as a grant recipient include THE JOHN COATES CHARITABLE TRUST, CHAPMAN CHARITABLE TRUST, THE PENCHANT FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE JOHN COATES CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £4k | |
| THE JOHN COATES CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £3k | |
| THE JOHN COATES CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £3k | |
| CHAPMAN CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £1k | |
| THE PENCHANT FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £975 |