WORLDREADER
Worldreader champions digital reading in underserved communities to create a world where everyone can be a reader. With low-cost technology, culturally-relevant digital books, and a network of corporate and nonprofit partners, we're helping millions of people read more and read better.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted reserves of £11,372 significantly exceed the charity's stated policy target of three months' expenditure (£3,000). The charity reported a net income of £62,623 for the year, driven by a £100,000 donation, while total expenditure was £37,377. The trustees confirm the charity is a going concern with adequate resources to meet its limited annual expenditure.
What the accounts disclose
“It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds should be maintained at a level equivalent to three month’s expenditure excluding restricted grants. As of April 2026, three months’ recurring expenditure, based on the prior three-year average is £3,000.” — page 6
“During the year, £100,000 of restricted income was from a trustee (P Malinson) to support activities in Kenya. £34,000 of this income was received in 2025 and there was a debtor balance at year end of £66,000 to be paid in 2026-2027. A resulting £30,000 (2024: £55,000) grant was awarded to Worldreader Kenya.” — page 16
Trustees
- HERMIONE LUCY IRELANDchair
- DAVID RISHER
- Lucia Veronica Halpern
- Martin John Nye
- PETER GLYN CHARTERIS MALLINSON
- Rebecca Chandler Leege
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £100k | £37k |
| 31/12/2024 | £9k | £66k |
| 31/12/2023 | £68k | £32k |
| 31/12/2022 | £117k | £164k |
| 31/12/2021 | £36k | £224k |
Common questions
Is WORLDREADER financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted reserves of £11,372 significantly exceed the charity's stated policy target of three months' expenditure (£3,000). The charity reported a net income of £62,623 for the year, driven by a £100,000 donation, while total expenditure was £37,377. The trustees confirm the charity is a going concern with adequate resources to meet its limited annual expenditure. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds WORLDREADER?
Funders whose own accounts filings name WORLDREADER as a grant recipient include THE GSR FOUNDATION, THE WILBUR AND NISO SMITH FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE GSR FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £74k | |
| THE GSR FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £31k | |
| THE WILBUR AND NISO SMITH FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £5k | Grant funding of activities / Author of Tomorrow partnership |
| THE WILBUR AND NISO SMITH FOUNDATION | FY2021 | £5k | Grant funding of activities |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| CHARITY OF SIR RICHARD WHITTINGTON | 3 | £311k |
| THE CHILDHOOD TRUST | 3 | £237k |
| The Patricia Routledge Foundation | 3 | £7k |
| Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation UK | 2 | £125k |
| THE ADRIAN SWIRE CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £89k |
| ST PAUL'S SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | 2 | £76k |
| THE LAWSON TRUST CIO | 2 | £47k |
| ALLAN AND NESTA FERGUSON CHARITABLE SETTLEMENT | 2 | £30k |
Charities like this
- THE READER ORGANISATION
- WORLD BOOK DAY LIMITED
- ROOM TO READ UK LIMITED
- BOOKMARK READING CHARITY
- CHAPTER ONE (U.K.) LTD
- SCHOOLREADERS
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WORLDREADER | £100k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE READER ORGANISATION | £4.6m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| WORLD BOOK DAY LIMITED | £1.3m | — | — | below | 12.6% | no doubt |
| ROOM TO READ UK LIMITED | £1.2m | — | 0 | unclear | 8.0% | no doubt |
| BOOKMARK READING CHARITY | £4.1m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| CHAPTER ONE (U.K.) LTD | £1.8m | £90,001 - £100,000 | 3 | above | — | no doubt |