FOUNDERS4SCHOOLS
To advance and promote the education of people under the age of 25 in such ways as the charity trustees from time to time think fit including by promoting, facilitating and assisting in the provision of careers education and advice.
Latest income
£1.4m
Latest spending
£1.2m
Registered
2015
Accounts read
FY2025
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the group generated total income of £1,429,132 and total costs of £1,229,395, resulting in a net surplus for the year. However, the charity's free reserves were £7,636, which is below the trustees' stated policy target of four months of operating expenditure.
What the accounts disclose
Employees paid over £60,000: 2
“2 employees (2024: 2) received emoluments in excess of £60,000 per annum” — page 71
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Largest income source: Donations and grants
“This consists of £717,738 (2024 £964,131) from donations and grants and £711,394 (2023 £377,888) from other sources.”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves position: below the charity's own stated reserves policy (held: £8k; policy: four months of operating expenditure)
“As of 30 June 2025, free reserves of the charity were £7,636 (2024: £24,063), which is below what the Trustees would like them to be.”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Donations from SL Coutu and closely connected parties totalled £140,150 (2024: £50,000) all given without conditions.
“Donations from SL Coutu and closely connected parties totalled £140,150 (2024: £50,000) all given without conditions.” — page 78
“Distribution/Gift Aid donation from subsidiary (income to the Charity): £60,822 (2024: £nil)” — page 78
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Distribution/Gift Aid donation from subsidiary (income to the Charity): £60,822 (2024: £nil)
“Donations from SL Coutu and closely connected parties totalled £140,150 (2024: £50,000) all given without conditions.” — page 78
“Distribution/Gift Aid donation from subsidiary (income to the Charity): £60,822 (2024: £nil)” — page 78
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Amounts owed by Digital Boost to the Charity: £3,017 (2024: 10,137)
“Donations from SL Coutu and closely connected parties totalled £140,150 (2024: £50,000) all given without conditions.” — page 78
“Distribution/Gift Aid donation from subsidiary (income to the Charity): £60,822 (2024: £nil)” — page 78
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Trading subsidiary: Digital Boost Upskilling Ltd
“F4S has a wholly-owned trading subsidiary, Digital Boost Upskilling Ltd (company 10187293), which delivers mentoring and peer learning for SMEs.” — page 43
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 30/06/2025)
Total income
£1.4m
Total spending
£1.2m
Cost of raising funds
£536k
Reserves (reported)
£8k
Employees
13
Trustees
- SHERRY LEIGH COUTUchair
- Alexander David George Marsh
- Claire Nooriala
- Janet Coyle
- Joanne Hannaford
- Julian Philip Palmer
- Lauren Von Stackelberg
- Paul Rouse
- Stuart Watson
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/06/2025 | £1.4m | £1.2m |
| 30/06/2024 | £1.3m | £1.3m |
| 30/06/2023 | £1.2m | £1.3m |
| 30/06/2022 | £1.4m | £1.5m |
| 30/06/2021 | £1.3m | £1.3m |
Common questions
Is FOUNDERS4SCHOOLS financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the group generated total income of £1,429,132 and total costs of £1,229,395, resulting in a net surplus for the year. However, the charity's free reserves were £7,636, which is below the trustees' stated policy target of four months of operating expenditure. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Sumer Auditco Limited.
Who funds FOUNDERS4SCHOOLS?
Funders whose own accounts filings name FOUNDERS4SCHOOLS as a grant recipient include THE OGDEN TRUST, The Caledonia Investments Charitable Foundation.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE OGDEN TRUST | FY2022 | £5k | Grants to institutions |
| THE OGDEN TRUST | FY2023 | £4k | Grants to institutions |
| The Caledonia Investments Charitable Foundation | FY2023 | £1k | |
| The Caledonia Investments Charitable Foundation | FY2022 | £1k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK government | 01/04/2021 | £27k | Digital Boost: Boosting Digital Capability of SMEs and Charities |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE ADDERSTONE FOUNDATION | 1 | £1.2m |
| THE STEVE MORGAN FOUNDATION | 1 | £185k |
| BOOST CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £7k |
| THE EDWARD AND DOROTHY CADBURY TRUST | 1 | £1k |
Charities like this
- WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF FOUNDERS SEXCENTENARY APPEAL FUND
- PERSONAL BEST FOUNDATION
- FOUNTAINS OF KNOWLEDGE
- FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
- HUMAN PRACTICE FOUNDATION UK
- THE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOUNDERS4SCHOOLS | £1.4m | — | 2 | below | — | no doubt |
| WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF FOUNDERS SEXCENTENARY APPEAL FUND | £223k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| PERSONAL BEST FOUNDATION | £135k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| FOUNTAINS OF KNOWLEDGE | £1.1m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE | £1.5m | — | 0 | unclear | 1.0% | no doubt |
| HUMAN PRACTICE FOUNDATION UK | £184k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |