ALMA MATER EDUCATION
The building and management of rural schools in Ghana and management of organic farms for school feeding and to subsidise the school
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The charity reported total reserves of £420,323, but its unrestricted free reserves were only £8,086, representing less than one month of running costs. The trustees are in the process of approving a new reserves policy targeting six months of running costs, equivalent to approximately £103,000. The accounts were prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified.
What the accounts disclose
“During the period, donations of £95,000 were received from the Bielenberg Family Foundation (2024: £61,000) The Foundation was settled by Christopher Bielenberg, a trustee of the Charity, and is run by the family of Katharina Bielenberg, a trustee of the Charity.” — page 27
“During the current year, Christopher Bielenberg donated £35,000 (previous year, he loaned £64,218 to the Charity. The loan was interest free and repayable on demand). During the year, the Charity repaid £35,000. There were no movements on this loan during the previous period and the balance due to Christopher Bielenberg was £29,218 (2024: £64,218).” — page 27
“During the period, donations of £95,000 were received from the Bielenberg Family Foundation (2024: £61,000) The Foundation was settled by Christopher Bielenberg, a trustee of the Charity, and is run by the family of Katharina Bielenberg, a trustee of the Charity.” — page 27
“During the current year, Christopher Bielenberg donated £35,000 (previous year, he loaned £64,218 to the Charity. The loan was interest free and repayable on demand). During the year, the Charity repaid £35,000. There were no movements on this loan during the previous period and the balance due to Christopher Bielenberg was £29,218 (2024: £64,218).” — page 27
Trustees
- Christopher Bielenberg
- Constance Agyeman
- Francis Ahene-Affoh
- John Paterson
- Katharina Bielenberg
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/07/2025 | £239k | £210k |
| 31/07/2024 | £305k | £190k |
| 31/01/2023 | £132k | £141k |
| 31/01/2022 | £232k | £214k |
| 31/01/2021 | £98k | £130k |
Common questions
Is ALMA MATER EDUCATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The charity reported total reserves of £420,323, but its unrestricted free reserves were only £8,086, representing less than one month of running costs. The trustees are in the process of approving a new reserves policy targeting six months of running costs, equivalent to approximately £103,000. The accounts were prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds ALMA MATER EDUCATION?
Funders whose own accounts filings name ALMA MATER EDUCATION as a grant recipient include Q CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2021 | £22k | |
| Q CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £10k | |
| Q CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £2k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| ALLAN AND NESTA FERGUSON CHARITABLE SETTLEMENT | 2 | £17k |
| MATER ECCLESIAE CIO | 1 | £190k |
| PHILIP KING CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £104k |
| THE ASHWORTH CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £3k |
| The Parochial Church Council of Godalming Minster | 1 | £2k |
| THE AUSTIN BAILEY FOUNDATION | 1 | £1k |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ALL SAINTS, FULHAM | 1 | £800 |
Charities like this
- MECHANICS FOR AFRICA
- ST MARY'S EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE TRUST
- THE EDUCATION AND BOOK APPEAL GHANA (TEABAG)
- CAMDEN SCHOOL FOUNDATION OF FRANCES MARY BUSS
- AL RISALAH EDUCATION TRUST
- MANOR FARM PRE-SCHOOL
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALMA MATER EDUCATION | £239k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| MECHANICS FOR AFRICA | £171k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ST MARY'S EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE TRUST | £214k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE EDUCATION AND BOOK APPEAL GHANA (TEABAG) | £57k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CAMDEN SCHOOL FOUNDATION OF FRANCES MARY BUSS | £873k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| AL RISALAH EDUCATION TRUST | £1.5m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |