THE FIREBIRD FOUNDATION
Grant making foundation
Latest income
£1.6m
Latest spending
£1.2m
Registered
2022
Accounts read
FY2025
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The charity holds unrestricted reserves of £3,479,200, which significantly exceed its stated policy target of approximately £750,000 (equating to 4-6 months of budget). The accounts state there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, supported by large reserves and continued active involvement of the Founder.
What the accounts disclose
Highest-paid employee band: more than £60,000 — below the median for charities its size (£70k)
“One employee earned more than £60,000 during the year. There were no employees earning more than £60,000 in the prior year.” — page 24
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Employees paid over £60,000: 1
“One employee earned more than £60,000 during the year.” — page 24
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Largest income source: Donations and legacies (100% of income)
“All income from donations in the current and prior year were to the endowment fund.” — page 21
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: c. 4-6 months of the following years budget... estimated to be £750,000 (held: £3.5m)
“The trustees do not aim to maintain a minimum level of unrestricted reserves, but rather to hold sufficient cash or liquid investments that equate to c. 4-6 months of the following years budget to cover constructive obligations. This figure is estimated to be £750,000.” — page 7
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The Firebird Foundation purchased administration services of £30,770 from Walgate Family Office Ltd, which is owned by Fladgate LLP, the same group as corporate trustee Walgate Trustees Ltd.
“Walgate Trustees Ltd, a corporate trustee, is part of the same group of companies as Walgate Family Office Ltd, owned by Fladgate LLP. During the year, The Firebird Foundation purchased administration services of £30,770 (2024: £16,960) from Walgate Family Office Ltd.” — page 28
“During the year The Firebird Foundation received gifts in kind of £27,524 (2024: £Nil) from The Firebird Impact free of charge for the development of the new website.” — page 28
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The Firebird Foundation received gifts in kind of £27,524 from The Firebird Impact for website development.
“Walgate Trustees Ltd, a corporate trustee, is part of the same group of companies as Walgate Family Office Ltd, owned by Fladgate LLP. During the year, The Firebird Foundation purchased administration services of £30,770 (2024: £16,960) from Walgate Family Office Ltd.” — page 28
“During the year The Firebird Foundation received gifts in kind of £27,524 (2024: £Nil) from The Firebird Impact free of charge for the development of the new website.” — page 28
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustees made aggregate donations of £1,275,000 to the expendable endowment fund.
“Walgate Trustees Ltd, a corporate trustee, is part of the same group of companies as Walgate Family Office Ltd, owned by Fladgate LLP. During the year, The Firebird Foundation purchased administration services of £30,770 (2024: £16,960) from Walgate Family Office Ltd.” — page 28
“During the year The Firebird Foundation received gifts in kind of £27,524 (2024: £Nil) from The Firebird Impact free of charge for the development of the new website.” — page 28
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Year-over-year changes
- Employees paid over £60,000: 0 (FY2024) → 1 (FY2025).
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Total income
£1.7m
Total spending
£1.2m
Cost of raising funds
£12k
Reserves (reported)
£2.6m
Employees
3
Trustees
- Olivia Catherine Hallchair
- Melanie Appleby
- Tom Daniel Ball
- Walgate Trustees Limited
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £1.6m | £1.2m |
| 31/03/2024 | £1.3m | £1.2m |
| 31/03/2023 | £3.2m | £335k |
Common questions
Is THE FIREBIRD FOUNDATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The charity holds unrestricted reserves of £3,479,200, which significantly exceed its stated policy target of approximately £750,000 (equating to 4-6 months of budget). The accounts state there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, supported by large reserves and continued active involvement of the Founder. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Godfrey Wilson Limited.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE FIREBIRD FOUNDATION earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the more than £60,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| A B Charitable Trust | 09/07/2026 | £100k | A grant to Firebird Foundation |
| A B Charitable Trust | 24/04/2025 | £30k | A grant to Firebird Foundation |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE MASTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £323k |
| PRISM THE GIFT FUND | 1 | £219k |
| NORTHUMBERLAND NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION | 1 | £40k |
| THE BORROWS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £10k |
Charities like this
- AVE FENIX ALBION FOUNDATION LIMITED
- THE CRANBROOK FOUNDATION
- FOUX FOUNDATION
- THE CSJ FOUNDATION
- THE FYRISH FOUNDATION
- THE SUMMERSCALE FOUNDATION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE FIREBIRD FOUNDATION | £1.6m | more than £60,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| AVE FENIX ALBION FOUNDATION LIMITED | £47k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE CRANBROOK FOUNDATION | £520k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| FOUX FOUNDATION | £200k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE CSJ FOUNDATION | £2.1m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE FYRISH FOUNDATION | £1.2m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |