THE CARBON COMMUNITY
The Carbon Community is a science led charity dedicated to carbon capture via creation of new community forests in the UK. Our tree planting will capture millions of tonnes of CO2 and make a material difference to global heating. Through our research with the world's leading scientists we aim that every forest captures twice the amount of CO2 than traditional woodland. www.carboncommunity.org
Objects
2.1 TO CONSERVE, IMPROVE AND PROTECT THE PHYSICAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT BY:2.1.1 THE CREATION, PROMOTION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF NEW COMMUNITY FORESTS SPECIFICALLY OPTIMIZED FOR MAXIMUM CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN TREES AND SOIL;2.1.2 PROVIDING INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITIES, BUSINESSES AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN SUSTAINABLE CARBON SEQUESTRATION PROJECTS; AND2.1.3 SUCH OTHER MEANS AS THE TRUSTEE MAY FROM TIME TO TIME DECIDE; AND2.2 TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC IN THE PROTECTION, ENHANCEMENT AND REHABILITATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT, IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY IN RELATION TO REFORESTATION AS A MEANS OF CARBON SEQUESTRATION, AND TO PROMOTE STUDY AND RESEARCH IN SUCH SUBJECTS AND DISSEMINATION OF THE RESULTS OF SUCH RESEARCH AND STUDY TO THE PUBLIC.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The charity reported total income of £245,637 and total expenditure of £95,624, resulting in a net surplus for the year. The trustees confirmed that unrestricted reserves of £767,340 are in line with the stated policy of holding between three and nine months of operating costs. The accounts were prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified.
What the accounts disclose
“£109,778 was a govement grant WCVA: National Forest for Wales Landscape Pilot”
“In the current stage of TCC’s evolution, the Trustee’s have approved a reserves policy to hold a minimum of three months of reserves and a maximum of nine months of reserves to cover our operating costs.” — page 26
“Heather Allen, a trustee, has provided an interest free secured loan of £200,000 to the charity. The balance outstanding at the end of the year was £100,000” — page 43
“The Charity made a further loan of £150,291 to Carbon Community Trading Limited during the year. The balance due to be repaid at the end of the year was £700,869” — page 43
“Heather Allen, a trustee, has provided an interest free secured loan of £200,000 to the charity. The balance outstanding at the end of the year was £100,000” — page 43
“The Charity made a further loan of £150,291 to Carbon Community Trading Limited during the year. The balance due to be repaid at the end of the year was £700,869” — page 43
“Heather Allen, a trustee, has provided an interest free secured loan of £200,000 to the charity. The balance outstanding at the end of the year was £100,000” — page 43
“The Charity made a further loan of £150,291 to Carbon Community Trading Limited during the year. The balance due to be repaid at the end of the year was £700,869” — page 43
“Carbon Community Trading Limited is a wholly owned and VAT registered trading subsidiary which runs the forest and site operations for The Carbon Community.” — page 43
Policies the charity declares
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
From the charity’s annual return (Part A, self-declared)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 30/09/2025
- Volunteers: 230
- Government income: £137,908 — grants £137,908 (1); 56% of the £245,637 total gross income on the same return
- Has a trading subsidiary
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 30/09/2024
- Volunteers: 310
- Government income: £28,093 — grants £28,093 (1); 36% of the £76,977 total gross income on the same return
- Has a trading subsidiary
- Grant-making is its main activity
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 30/09/2023
- Volunteers: 167
- Government income: £26,106 — grants £26,106 (1); 12% of the £216,557 total gross income on the same return
- Has a trading subsidiary
- Grant-making is its main activity
Property (HM Land Registry)
Trustees
- Charles Nichollschair
- Heather Allen
- JANE NICHOLLS
- Sonia Winder
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/09/2025 | £246k | £96k |
| 30/09/2024 | £77k | £36k |
| 30/09/2023 | £217k | £96k |
| 30/09/2022 | £321k | £91k |
| 30/09/2021 | £314k | £51k |
Common questions
Is THE CARBON COMMUNITY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The charity reported total income of £245,637 and total expenditure of £95,624, resulting in a net surplus for the year. The trustees confirmed that unrestricted reserves of £767,340 are in line with the stated policy of holding between three and nine months of operating costs. The accounts were prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| Tinsley Charitable Trust | 1 | £40k |
| THE COMPASS GROUP FOUNDATION | 1 | £30k |
| SOCIETY OF THE HOLY CHILD JESUS CIO | 1 | £25k |
| SCOULOUDI FOUNDATION | 1 | £23k |
| THE NORTHWICK TRUST | 1 | £10k |
| KUSUMA TRUST UK | 1 | £10k |
| CAMBRIDGE FORUM FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY | 1 | £8k |
| THE BOLTINI TRUST | 1 | £5k |
Charities like this
- CARBON COPY NETWORK
- THE CLIMATE MOVEMENT
- CAMBRIDGE CARBON FOOTPRINT
- ZERO CARBON GUILDFORD
- CLIMATE STEWARDS
- THE TREE COUNCIL
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE CARBON COMMUNITY | £246k | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| CARBON COPY NETWORK | £240k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE CLIMATE MOVEMENT | £742k | £60,001 - £70,000 | 1 | below | — | no doubt |
| CAMBRIDGE CARBON FOOTPRINT | £151k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| ZERO CARBON GUILDFORD | £363k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| CLIMATE STEWARDS | £340k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |