UNIBRASS FOUNDATION

Registered charity 1159359 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register

To advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art of the brass band movement, especially at universities. This is done primarily by organising the annual UniBrass Championships, offering support to existing university ensembles, and encouraging the creation of new university bands.

Causes: Education/training · Arts/culture/heritage/science · website · Get email alerts

Latest income
£74k
Latest spending
£81k
Registered
2014
Accounts read
FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity reported an overall net loss of £6,417, primarily due to spending on a Fundraising Development Coordinator from restricted grant funds. Despite this loss, unrestricted reserves increased by £178, leaving the charity with £22,964 in unrestricted reserves, which represents approximately 49% of its stated reserves policy target. The trustees confirm that the charity retains sufficient funds to support all projects planned for the upcoming financial period.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Largest income source: Event Ticket Sales (48% of income)
The largest category of income was Event Ticket Sales which accounted for 48% of this year's income.
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: £47,000 (held: £23k)
In total, this policy recommends a reserves fund of £47,000.
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Partnership with Brass Bands England (reg. charity 1148331) acknowledged; one non-voting board member nominated by them.
The Foundation also maintains strong links with Brass Bands England in part through a nominated (non-voting) board member on the charity board. — page 11
This year, UniBrass has received grants from the Vice Chancellor of Cardiff University and the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust (reg. charity 1112457) to support the running of the contest — page 8
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Grant funding received from D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust (reg. charity 1112457) to support the running of the contest.
The Foundation also maintains strong links with Brass Bands England in part through a nominated (non-voting) board member on the charity board. — page 11
This year, UniBrass has received grants from the Vice Chancellor of Cardiff University and the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust (reg. charity 1112457) to support the running of the contest — page 8
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Grant funding received from Matthew 22 Fund (reg. charity 1205101) to support the running of the charity.
The Foundation also maintains strong links with Brass Bands England in part through a nominated (non-voting) board member on the charity board. — page 11
This year, UniBrass has received grants from the Vice Chancellor of Cardiff University and the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust (reg. charity 1112457) to support the running of the contest — page 8
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Grant funding received from Foyle Foundation (reg. charity 1081766) to support core costs.
The Foundation also maintains strong links with Brass Bands England in part through a nominated (non-voting) board member on the charity board. — page 11
This year, UniBrass has received grants from the Vice Chancellor of Cardiff University and the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust (reg. charity 1112457) to support the running of the contest — page 8
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 4 of 6 completeness components.

Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): facebook · instagram

Trustees · trustee networks

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Northern Ireland · Throughout England And Wales

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/03/2025£74k£81k
31/03/2024£68k£56k
31/03/2023£54k£65k
31/03/2022£62k£51k
31/03/2021£8k£3k

Common questions

Is UNIBRASS FOUNDATION financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported an overall net loss of £6,417, primarily due to spending on a Fundraising Development Coordinator from restricted grant funds. Despite this loss, unrestricted reserves increased by £178, leaving the charity with £22,964 in unrestricted reserves, which represents approximately 49% of its stated reserves policy target. The trustees confirm that the charity retains sufficient funds to support all projects planned for the upcoming financial period. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.