FRIENDS OF THE HOLY LAND
Carrying out humanitarian support relating to housing, education and the prevention or relief of poverty and sickness to the Christian communities of all denominations in the areas in which we operate
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that total income was £1,645,798, with unrestricted funds totaling £943,041 and restricted funds £92,794. The charity holds a designated financial reserve equivalent to six months of administration expenses (£200,000) and a contingency reserve, indicating a stable financial position despite dependency on donations.
What the accounts disclose
“As the Charity grows it is the policy of the Trustees to hold as a Designated Fund a Financial Reserve to cover the equivalent of six months administration expenses in the UK and the Holy Land. This amounts to £200,000.” — page 8
“Whilst the Trustees are mindful that the Charity is dependent upon income and donations from individuals and Charitable Trusts/Foundations, they have a reasonable expectation that this will continue for the foreseeable future.” — page 9
“During the year, a close family member of one of the trustees was employed by the Charity on a part-time, temporary basis in the UK office. Remuneration paid in respect of this employment amounted to £4,683.” — page 25
Year-over-year changes
- Going concern: no going-concern doubt (FY2024) → going-concern doubt noted (FY2025).
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Brendan Metcalfe — CEO
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- Rt Rev James Currychair
- Charles Reed
- Dr DAVID RYALL
- Janet Elizabeth Benson
- Mary Gail Brown
- Michael Francis Swinburne
- Rev David John Hasting Longe
- Rev Lurliene Miller
- Susan Oliver
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £1.6m | £1.3m |
| 31/03/2024 | £1.7m | £964k |
Common questions
Is FRIENDS OF THE HOLY LAND financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that total income was £1,645,798, with unrestricted funds totaling £943,041 and restricted funds £92,794. The charity holds a designated financial reserve equivalent to six months of administration expenses (£200,000) and a contingency reserve, indicating a stable financial position despite dependency on donations. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by TC Group.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| SONGDALE LIMITED | 2 | £58k |
| AHAVAS SHALOM TRUST | 1 | £348k |
| CHALFORDS LIMITED | 1 | £200k |
| MOISHE AND ESTHER ITZINGER FOUNDATION LIMITED | 1 | £150k |
| ITZCHOK MEYER CYMERMAN TRUST LIMITED | 1 | £85k |
| ADENFIRST LIMITED | 1 | £55k |
| KEREN CHOCHMAS SHLOMA TRUST | 1 | £53k |
| LATATE LIMITED | 1 | £36k |
Charities like this
- COMMISSARIAT OF THE HOLY LAND
- FRIENDS OF CHARITY INTERNATIONAL
- UK FRIENDS OF AHAVAS CHESED
- THE LIEUTENANCY OF ENGLAND AND WALES OF THE EQUESTRIAN ORDER OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE OF JERUSALEM
- UK FRIENDS OF BNOS YEHUDIS
- FRIENDS OF GUR FOUNDATION ISRAEL
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRIENDS OF THE HOLY LAND | £1.6m | — | — | above | — | noted |
| COMMISSARIAT OF THE HOLY LAND | £802k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| FRIENDS OF CHARITY INTERNATIONAL | £121k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| UK FRIENDS OF AHAVAS CHESED | £759k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE LIEUTENANCY OF ENGLAND AND WALES OF THE EQUESTRIAN ORDER OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE OF JERUSALEM | £528k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| UK FRIENDS OF BNOS YEHUDIS | £176k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |