THE PONTOON TRUST
Supporting of the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits) in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Sweden and East Africa and financial assistance for students wishing to attend Blackrock College, Dublin, and similar Catholic schools or academic institutions. The relief of those in need because of youth, age, Ill-health, financial hardship or other disadvantage. Support of the arts, classical music and opera.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted income increased to £445,396, while grants made totaled £4,420,000, with the resulting deficit covered by transfers from the expendable endowment fund. Free reserves, held within the expendable endowment fund, stood at £20,413,119, which the trustees consider sufficient to maintain future grant-making levels. The charity had no employees and no trustee remuneration during the year.
What the accounts disclose
“Gift Aid donations 4,700,000”
“The trustees aim to maintain the endowment fund at a level to provide a sufficient capital base to generate an income level sufficient to maintain the level of grant making planned in the future.” — page 5
“During the year Mr S Olsson made donations of £5,875,000 including Gift Aid to the charity.” — page 19
“A grant of £250,000 (2024 £150,000) was made to Grief to Grace, a charity in which Dominic Allain is a trustee.” — page 19
“During the year Mr S Olsson made donations of £5,875,000 including Gift Aid to the charity.” — page 19
“A grant of £250,000 (2024 £150,000) was made to Grief to Grace, a charity in which Dominic Allain is a trustee.” — page 19
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 05/04/2025)
Trustees
- Dr STEFAN STEN OLSSON
- Father DOMINIC ALLAIN
- JIM BARRAT
- JOHN JOSEPH FITZGERALD TIERNEY
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 05/04/2025 | £4.4m | £4.4m |
| 05/04/2024 | £3.3m | £3.3m |
| 05/04/2023 | £82k | £1.5m |
| 05/04/2022 | £1.4m | £1.4m |
| 05/04/2021 | £2.5m | £2.5m |
Common questions
Is THE PONTOON TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted income increased to £445,396, while grants made totaled £4,420,000, with the resulting deficit covered by transfers from the expendable endowment fund. Free reserves, held within the expendable endowment fund, stood at £20,413,119, which the trustees consider sufficient to maintain future grant-making levels. The charity had no employees and no trustee remuneration during the year. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Gibson Booth Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL CHOIR SCHOOL FUND | 1 | £225k |
| THE ENNISMORE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £10k |
Charities like this
- THE PONTIFICAL BEDA COLLEGE, ROME TRUST FUND
- SOCIETY OF JESUS TRUST OF 1929 FOR ROMAN CATHOLIC PURPOSES
- Effingham Schools Trust
- The Portal Trust
- THE ALL SAINTS EDUCATIONAL TRUST
- WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL CHOIR SCHOOL
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE PONTOON TRUST | £4.4m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE PONTIFICAL BEDA COLLEGE, ROME TRUST FUND | £159k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SOCIETY OF JESUS TRUST OF 1929 FOR ROMAN CATHOLIC PURPOSES | £48.9m | £200,001 - £210,000 | — | above | — | not going concern |
| Effingham Schools Trust | £25.5m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| The Portal Trust | £8.2m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ALL SAINTS EDUCATIONAL TRUST | £682k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |