THE WOLFSON FOUNDATION
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the Wolfson Foundation held total net assets of £961.7 million, with all assets held in unrestricted funds. The charity reported a positive return on assets of £52.6 million, driven by investment income and valuation gains, while charitable expenditure totaled £39.0 million. The trustees consider reserves to be at a level that enables them to plan with confidence for the future.
What the accounts disclose
“One employee received emoluments between £140,000 and £150,000.” — page 27
“One employee received emoluments between £140,000 and £150,000. One employee received emoluments between £90,000 and £100,000. One employee received emoluments between £80,000 and £90,000. Two employees received emoluments between £60,000 and £70,000.” — page 27
“The trustees consider it prudent to have liquid assets within investments to cover a significant proportion of planned expenditure. They have agreed that at least £50 million should be retained in a combination of cash and short-dated gilts.”
“annual consultancy fees of £48,000 (2024: £37,500) were paid to academic trustees in connection with the work they undertook in advising on applications to the Foundation” — page 27
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (12/08/2015)
Trustees
- DAME JANET FRANCES WOLFSON DE BOTTON DBEchair
- Allegra Berman
- Charles Ralph Wolfson Townsley
- DAME HERMIONE LEE CBE FRSL
- LORD TURNBERG OF CHEADLE MD FRCP FMEDSCI
- PROFESSOR DAME JEAN OLWEN THOMAS CBE DBE
- PROFESSOR SIR DAVID NICHOLAS CANNADINE
- REBECCA SARAH MARKS
- SIR PETER RATCLIFFE
- Sir Michael Pepper
- THE HON MRS LAURA HELEN WOLFSON TOWNSLEY
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £26.9m | £41.5m |
| 31/03/2024 | £25.8m | £46.7m |
| 31/03/2023 | £23.5m | £41.7m |
| 31/03/2022 | £20.4m | £40.5m |
| 31/03/2021 | £18.8m | £38.6m |
Common questions
Is THE WOLFSON FOUNDATION financially healthy?
The accounts state that the Wolfson Foundation held total net assets of £961.7 million, with all assets held in unrestricted funds. The charity reported a positive return on assets of £52.6 million, driven by investment income and valuation gains, while charitable expenditure totaled £39.0 million. The trustees consider reserves to be at a level that enables them to plan with confidence for the future. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by UHY Hacker Young LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE WOLFSON FOUNDATION earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £140,001 - £150,000 band, and 5 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds THE WOLFSON FOUNDATION?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE WOLFSON FOUNDATION as a grant recipient include CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL RESTORATION AND DEVELOPMENT TRUST CIO, THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST.WILFRID, GRAPPENHALL, CHELSEA ACADEMY FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL RESTORATION AND DEVELOPMENT TRUST CIO | FY2023 | £100k |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST.WILFRID, GRAPPENHALL | FY2025 | £6k |
| CHELSEA ACADEMY FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £5k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| BENESCO CHARITY LIMITED | 1 | £15.2m |