WORLDREADER
Latest income
£100k
Latest spending
£37k
Registered
2014
Accounts read
FY2024
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted reserves fell to £18,749 at year-end, which is below the charity's stated policy target of three months' expenditure. The charity reported a net expenditure of £57,000 for the year, significantly reducing its fund balance from the previous year.
What the accounts disclose
Reserves policy: three months of unrestricted expenditure (held: £19k)
“It is the policy of the charity that the funds should be maintained at a level equivalent to three month’s expenditure, excluding restricted grants.” — page 6
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Grant to Worldreader Kenya
“During the year a grant of £55,000 (2023: £Nil) was paid to Worldreader Kenya, a related party of Trustees Colin McElwee to support activities in Kenya relating to digital reading. Colin McElwee was a member of the Board of Directors of Worldreader Kenya (resigned March 7, 2024), the recipient organisation.” — page 17
“During the year a grant of £Nil (2023: £20,000) was paid to Worldreader Ghana, a related party of Trustee Colin McElwee, to support activities in Ghana relating to digital reading. Colin McElwee was a member of the Board of Directors of Worldreader Ghana (resigned March 7, 2024), the recipient organisation.” — page 17
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Grant to Worldreader Ghana
“During the year a grant of £55,000 (2023: £Nil) was paid to Worldreader Kenya, a related party of Trustees Colin McElwee to support activities in Kenya relating to digital reading. Colin McElwee was a member of the Board of Directors of Worldreader Kenya (resigned March 7, 2024), the recipient organisation.” — page 17
“During the year a grant of £Nil (2023: £20,000) was paid to Worldreader Ghana, a related party of Trustee Colin McElwee, to support activities in Ghana relating to digital reading. Colin McElwee was a member of the Board of Directors of Worldreader Ghana (resigned March 7, 2024), the recipient organisation.” — page 17
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Gift from Trustee Peter Mallinson
“During the year a grant of £55,000 (2023: £Nil) was paid to Worldreader Kenya, a related party of Trustees Colin McElwee to support activities in Kenya relating to digital reading. Colin McElwee was a member of the Board of Directors of Worldreader Kenya (resigned March 7, 2024), the recipient organisation.” — page 17
“During the year a grant of £Nil (2023: £20,000) was paid to Worldreader Ghana, a related party of Trustee Colin McElwee, to support activities in Ghana relating to digital reading. Colin McElwee was a member of the Board of Directors of Worldreader Ghana (resigned March 7, 2024), the recipient organisation.” — page 17
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
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?
The accounts state that unrestricted reserves fell to £18,749 at year-end, which is below the charity's stated policy target of three months' expenditure. The charity reported a net expenditure of £57,000 for the year, significantly reducing its fund balance from the previous year. Its FY2024 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 |
|---|---|---|
| THE GSR FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £74k |
| THE WILBUR AND NISO SMITH FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £5k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| BOOKER PRIZE FOUNDATION | 2 | £70k |
| THE FOYLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £1.8m |
| THE MASTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £1.6m |
| THE FIDELITY UK FOUNDATION | 1 | £400k |
| THE EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION | 1 | £245k |
| The Portal Trust | 1 | £150k |
| BUPA FOUNDATION | 1 | £80k |
| THE REECE FOUNDATION | 1 | £74k |