SPACE FOR GIANTS
IT IS OUR MISSION TO SECURE A FUTURE FOR THE LARGEST MAMMALS ON EARTH FOREVER, TO BE ENJOYED BY HUMANITY FOREVER, BY ENSURING THAT THEY HAVE THE SPACE AND SECURITY TO LIVE AND MOVE FREELY IN THE WILD FOREVER. OUR VISION IS TO DEVELOP NEW MODELS FOR CONSERVATION THAT ENABLE PEOPLE TO SUPPORT AND SUSTAIN POPULATIONS OF LARGE WILD ANIMALS AND THE NATURAL LANDSCAPES THEY DEPEND ON.
Latest income
£6.1m
Latest spending
£6.3m
Registered
2014
Accounts read
FY2024
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity achieved a surplus of £475,759 for the year ended 31 December 2024, with total income rising to £6,098,783. However, free reserves of £425,348 were below the stated policy target of £450,000. The auditor issued a qualified opinion regarding the verification of stock held by the Gabon branch due to internal control weaknesses.
What the accounts disclose
Highest-paid employee band: £130,001 - £140,000 — above the 90th percentile for charities its size (median £70k)
“In the band £130,001 - £140,000 1”
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Fundraising cost ratio: 16.9% of fundraised income, as disclosed
“Cost of raising funds 544,830”
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: three months of committed and projected expenditure (held: £425k)
“For the financial year ending 2024, this equated to a target free reserves level of £450 000” — page 17
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Payments to trustees: Trustee Tom Brunner received £36,000 for consultancy work. One trustee had £236 in expenses reimbursed.
“During the year, £36,000 (2023 - £58,000) was paid to Tom Brunner (Trustee) in relation to consultancy work undertaken for the Carbon project.” — page 61
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Donations from Space for Giants USA, Inc.
“During the year, the Charity received £641,526 (2023 - £737,236) donations from Space for Giants USA, Inc.” — page 61
“During the year, £36,000 (2023 - £58,000) was paid to Tom Brunner (Trustee) in relation to consultancy work undertaken for the Carbon project.” — page 61
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Consultancy fees paid to Trustee Tom Brunner
“During the year, the Charity received £641,526 (2023 - £737,236) donations from Space for Giants USA, Inc.” — page 61
“During the year, £36,000 (2023 - £58,000) was paid to Tom Brunner (Trustee) in relation to consultancy work undertaken for the Carbon project.” — page 61
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Loan from CEO
“During the year, the Charity received £641,526 (2023 - £737,236) donations from Space for Giants USA, Inc.” — page 61
“During the year, £36,000 (2023 - £58,000) was paid to Tom Brunner (Trustee) in relation to consultancy work undertaken for the Carbon project.” — page 61
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Transactions with Journeys for Giants (CEO beneficial owner)
“During the year, the Charity received £641,526 (2023 - £737,236) donations from Space for Giants USA, Inc.” — page 61
“During the year, £36,000 (2023 - £58,000) was paid to Tom Brunner (Trustee) in relation to consultancy work undertaken for the Carbon project.” — page 61
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Governance: Qualified opinion due to inability to verify Gabon branch stock
“Our component audit team sought to verify the accuracy and existence of this balance but were unable to do so due to weaknesses identified in internal controls.” — page 25
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Trading subsidiary: Suyian Ranch Limited
“The financial statements of Suyian Ranch Limited (company registered in Kenya with registration number C.3/2012), a 100% owned subsidiary, are summarised below” — page 65
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
In the news
- Space For Giants (2020) by David Yarrow
- President Museveni meets Former Botswana Leader H.E. Khama and Space for Giants Delegation
- Saudi Arabia’s AlUla, Kenya’s Space for Giants sign deal to enhance natural reserves
- David Yarrow | Space for giants, 2020 (2020)
- NFA, Space for Giants sign MOU on conservation of wildlife landscapes
- DPP Signs MoU with Space for Giants to Boost Wildlife Crime Prosecution
- Space For Giants (2020) by David Yarrow - For Sale
- Net-a-Porter and Gemfields Launch Sustainable Capsule Collections to Support Space for Giants
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Dr Max Graham — Founder & CEO
- Oliver Poole — Executive Director
- Bilal Yusuf — Chief Operating and Finance Officer
- Maurice Schutgens — Managing Director of Conservation
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Total income
£6.1m
Total spending
£6.3m
Cost of raising funds
£545k
Reserves (reported)
£425k
Employees
206
Trustees
- MICHAEL ANDREW COUNT MA, CFAchair
- PETER JAMES BACCHUS
- Sarah Lousie Woodhead Bacon
- THOMAS PETER WILLIAM BRUNNER
- Zacharias Frank Goldsmith
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £6.1m | £6.3m |
| 31/12/2023 | £2.7m | £6.1m |
| 31/12/2022 | £14.7m | £5.3m |
| 31/12/2021 | £3.4m | £3.1m |
| 31/12/2020 | £2.5m | £2.7m |
Common questions
Is SPACE FOR GIANTS financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity achieved a surplus of £475,759 for the year ended 31 December 2024, with total income rising to £6,098,783. However, free reserves of £425,348 were below the stated policy target of £450,000. The auditor issued a qualified opinion regarding the verification of stock held by the Gabon branch due to internal control weaknesses. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by MHA.
What does the highest-paid employee of SPACE FOR GIANTS earn?
Per its FY2024 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £130,001 - £140,000 band.
Who funds SPACE FOR GIANTS?
Funders whose own accounts filings name SPACE FOR GIANTS as a grant recipient include BACON FOUNDATION LTD, THE ROTHERMERE FOUNDATION, UBS UK Donor-Advised Foundation.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BACON FOUNDATION LTD | FY2025 | £13k | To protect and restore vital ecosystems in Africa |
| THE ROTHERMERE FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £10k | Other charitable donations |
| UBS UK Donor-Advised Foundation | FY2021 | £0 |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE BERYL EVETTS AND ROBERT LUFF ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST LIMITED | 2 | £24k |
| THE BORN FREE FOUNDATION | 1 | £925k |
| OLSEN ANIMAL TRUST | 1 | £606k |
| TOBY AND REGINA WYLES CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £128k |
| RESTORE OUR PLANET | 1 | £84k |
| THE ROTHES CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £32k |
| CHASE AFRICA (COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT) | 1 | £32k |
| RUTH SMART FOUNDATION | 1 | £23k |
Charities like this
- SHALDON WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
- INTERNATIONAL AID FOR THE PROTECTION AND WELFARE OF ANIMALS
- SPACE
- WILDWOOD TRUST
- ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTION AGENCY
- THE PANGEA TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPACE FOR GIANTS | £6.1m | £130,001 - £140,000 | — | unclear | 16.9% | no doubt |
| SHALDON WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED | £293k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| INTERNATIONAL AID FOR THE PROTECTION AND WELFARE OF ANIMALS | £340k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SPACE | £256k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| WILDWOOD TRUST | £4.4m | £90,001 - £100,000 | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTION AGENCY | £332k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |