DAVID FORBES-NIXON FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The DFN Foundation is a grant-making charity that combines funding and strategic support to initiate positive change across four key areas, disability education, disability employment, myeloma cancer research and conservation
Latest income
£319k
Latest spending
£596k
Registered
2014
Accounts read
FY2024
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity held unrestricted reserves of £23,072,939 at the year end, with free reserves totaling £6,000,000 inclusive of readily realisable investments and cash. The trustees consider this level of free cash reserves to be prudent given continuing economic uncertainties and sufficient to meet all expenditure and commitments as they fall due.
What the accounts disclose
Highest-paid employee band: £70,000 - £79,999 — in the top quarter for charities its size (median £60k)
“In the year to 31 December 2024, one employee received remuneration between £70,000–£79,999 (2023 £110,000–£119,999: one employee).” — page 45
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: prudent for the DFN Foundation given the continuing economic uncertainties (held: £23.1m)
“The Trustees note that free reserves (after having regarded all sums already committed or earmarked for future projects) total a sum of £6,000,000 inclusive of readily realisable investments and cash reserves. The Board is satisfied that the level of free cash reserves (in cash or readily realisable investments) remains prudent for the DFN Foundation given the continuing economic uncertainties.” — page 21
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Lease of property to Undershaw Education Trust at below-market rent and grants paid.
“Undershaw Education Trust (Registered Charity – 1039622) is a related party due to the significant influence the Board of Trustees of the DFN Foundation has over the Board of Undershaw Education Trust. Undershaw Education Trust was granted the right to use the property of Undershaw as a school site, under the terms of a lease agreement, for a fee below that of market rental. Grants of £1,395 were made to Undershaw Education Trust in the year ending 31 December 2024 (2023 £988). At the year end the DFN Foundation owed £10,000 to Undershaw Education Trust (2023 £25,000) for funding commitments as detailed in note 23.” — page 56
“The DFN Foundation received the services of the Director of Finance employed by DFN Project SEARCH for which invoices were raised at cost totalling £17,650 (2023 £15,904) plus irrecoverable VAT relating to the recharges amounting to £473 (2023 £nil). These costs are reported within management expenses in note 10. The Director of Finance is considered key management personnel.” — page 56
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Recharges for Director of Finance services from DFN Project SEARCH.
“Undershaw Education Trust (Registered Charity – 1039622) is a related party due to the significant influence the Board of Trustees of the DFN Foundation has over the Board of Undershaw Education Trust. Undershaw Education Trust was granted the right to use the property of Undershaw as a school site, under the terms of a lease agreement, for a fee below that of market rental. Grants of £1,395 were made to Undershaw Education Trust in the year ending 31 December 2024 (2023 £988). At the year end the DFN Foundation owed £10,000 to Undershaw Education Trust (2023 £25,000) for funding commitments as detailed in note 23.” — page 56
“The DFN Foundation received the services of the Director of Finance employed by DFN Project SEARCH for which invoices were raised at cost totalling £17,650 (2023 £15,904) plus irrecoverable VAT relating to the recharges amounting to £473 (2023 £nil). These costs are reported within management expenses in note 10. The Director of Finance is considered key management personnel.” — page 56
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Trustees
- DAVID FORBES-NIXONchair
- Eric William Low
- Harry Forbes-Nixon
- James Dickson
- Nicola Brentnall
- SIMON NICHOLAS KONSTA
- Tom O'Beirne
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £319k | £596k |
| 31/12/2023 | £320k | £567k |
| 31/12/2022 | £419k | £654k |
| 31/12/2021 | £407k | £1.2m |
| 31/12/2020 | £455k | £1.5m |
Common questions
Is DAVID FORBES-NIXON FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity held unrestricted reserves of £23,072,939 at the year end, with free reserves totaling £6,000,000 inclusive of readily realisable investments and cash. The trustees consider this level of free cash reserves to be prudent given continuing economic uncertainties and sufficient to meet all expenditure and commitments as they fall due. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Dixon Wilson Audit Services LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of DAVID FORBES-NIXON FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION earn?
Per its FY2024 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £70,000 - £79,999 band.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE PEARS FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £630k |
| SOCIAL BUSINESS TRUST | 1 | £517k |
| Leo Lion Foundation | 1 | £131k |
| THE WESTMINSTER FOUNDATION | 1 | £66k |
Charities like this
- THE DYSLEXIA FOUNDATION
- THE DIXON FOUNDATION
- THE DANSON FOUNDATION
- DFN PROJECT SEARCH
- THE DWF FOUNDATION
- DIDACT FOUNDATION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID FORBES-NIXON FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | £319k | £70,000 - £79,999 | — | above | — | no doubt |
| THE DYSLEXIA FOUNDATION | £315k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE DIXON FOUNDATION | £1.1m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE DANSON FOUNDATION | £141k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| DFN PROJECT SEARCH | £2.5m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE DWF FOUNDATION | £454k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |