Bird Song Trust
The charity makes grants for the purposes of (a) the advancement of education and health through the development of treatments and therapeutic interventions for eating disorders (including anorexia nervosa) and (b) the advancement of education and learning through scholarship in relation to early Judeo-Christian art and culture and its impact on European society.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that Bird Song Trust held unrestricted funds of £69,879,753 at the period end, with a reserves policy targeting 6-12 months of expected operating costs in liquid assets. The trustees confirmed that assets are more than adequate to meet grant-making commitments for the next 12 months, and the independent auditor reported no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“The trustees have resolved to retain 6-12 months of expected operating costs in cash or high-grade Money Market Funds offering daily liquidity.” — page 7
“During the year the trustees, Wiet Pot and Carien Pot-Mees, donated £347 (2024: £17,070,288) to the Charitable Trust.” — page 20
“During the year the trust made grant payments of £229,682 (2024: £nil) to Stichting Kiem, a charity in which Carien Pot-Mees is a trustee.” — page 20
“During the year the trustees, Wiet Pot and Carien Pot-Mees, donated £347 (2024: £17,070,288) to the Charitable Trust.” — page 20
“During the year the trust made grant payments of £229,682 (2024: £nil) to Stichting Kiem, a charity in which Carien Pot-Mees is a trustee.” — page 20
“During the year the trustees, Wiet Pot and Carien Pot-Mees, donated £347 (2024: £17,070,288) to the Charitable Trust.” — page 20
“During the year the trust made grant payments of £229,682 (2024: £nil) to Stichting Kiem, a charity in which Carien Pot-Mees is a trustee.” — page 20
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 05/04/2025)
Trustees
- Catharina Pot-Meeschair
- Diederik Sillevis Smitt
- Evert Karel Greup
- Jeremy Arnold
- Victorine Pot
- Wilhelmus Pot
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 05/04/2025 | £1.7m | £1.4m |
| 05/04/2024 | £18.0m | £192k |
| 05/04/2023 | £49.0m | £229k |
| 05/04/2022 | £324 | £3k |
| 05/04/2021 | £630k | £503k |
Common questions
Is Bird Song Trust financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that Bird Song Trust held unrestricted funds of £69,879,753 at the period end, with a reserves policy targeting 6-12 months of expected operating costs in liquid assets. The trustees confirmed that assets are more than adequate to meet grant-making commitments for the next 12 months, and the independent auditor reported no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Gibson Booth.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| PROJECT GIVING BACK | 1 | £86k |
| THE DULVERTON TRUST | 1 | £74k |
| THE TOLKIEN TRUST | 1 | £50k |
| THE ADRIAN SWIRE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £40k |
| THE MARTIN SMITH FOUNDATION | 1 | £37k |
| THE CHARLOTTE HEBER-PERCY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £35k |
| C E K STERN CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £35k |
| Charity of Thomas Dawson | 1 | £30k |
Charities like this
- THE DOREEN BIRD FOUNDATION
- THE JULIAN BREAM TRUST
- SONGBIRD SURVIVAL
- THE CHOIR SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION BURSARY TRUST LIMITED
- B E PERL CHARITABLE TRUST
- KTRUST LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bird Song Trust | £1.7m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE DOREEN BIRD FOUNDATION | £6.3m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| THE JULIAN BREAM TRUST | £125k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SONGBIRD SURVIVAL | £437k | — | — | below | — | no doubt |
| THE CHOIR SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION BURSARY TRUST LIMITED | £322k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| B E PERL CHARITABLE TRUST | £3.0m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |