LOST CAUSE
For the public benefit, to advance, improve, develop and maintain the education and appreciation of the public in the art of theatre and drama by the provision of theatrical productions, performances and educational workshops, primarily but not exclusively for residents of The Midlands and surrounding counties.
Objects
THE OBJECTS OF THE CIO AREFOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT, TO ADVANCE, IMPROVE, DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN THE EDUCATION AND APPRECIATION OF THE PUBLIC IN THE ART OF THEATRE AND DRAMA BY THE PROVISION OF THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, PERFORMANCES AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, PRIMARILY BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY FOR RESIDENTS OF THE MIDLANDS AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES.
Financial health, per its FY2026 accounts
The charity reported a net surplus of £23,547 for its first year of operation, with unrestricted reserves standing at £10. The accounts state that there are no concerns about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, noting that ongoing costs are minimal as the charity has no staff wages or buildings to pay. However, the charity aims to build reserves to cover six months of ongoing costs, a target it has not yet reached.
What the accounts disclose
“Of the total expenditure £10,011 paid during the year, £8,477 was paid to trustees for directing and script development fees.” — page 20
“Arts Council England Project Grant: £23,320” — page 9
“As the company grows, it aims to hold enough reserves to cover ongoing costs for six months.”
“Of the total expenditure £10,011 paid during the year, £8,477 was paid to trustees for directing and script development fees.” — page 20
“Of the total expenditure £10,011 paid during the year, £8,477 was paid to trustees for directing and script development fees. Contracts have been seen for both Trustee’s receiving payment for services and minutes of meetings to confirm approval.” — page 20
“During the year Trustees loaned the charity £3,500, all loans had been repaid by 31st March 2026.” — page 20
“Of the total expenditure £10,011 paid during the year, £8,477 was paid to trustees for directing and script development fees. Contracts have been seen for both Trustee’s receiving payment for services and minutes of meetings to confirm approval.” — page 20
“During the year Trustees loaned the charity £3,500, all loans had been repaid by 31st March 2026.” — page 20
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Conflicting interests
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- 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 31/03/2026
- Government income: £9,960 — grants £9,960 (1); 30% of the £33,558 total gross income on the same return
- Trustee benefits, answered Yes to: any trustee benefit; payments to trustees for services to the charity
Trustees
- Ant Stones
- Jack Edward Hughes
- Martha Kate Hammond Chillcott
- Tamara Freifrau von Werthern
- Westley Quinton Bone
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2026 | £34k | £10k |
Common questions
Is LOST CAUSE financially healthy?
Per its FY2026 accounts: The charity reported a net surplus of £23,547 for its first year of operation, with unrestricted reserves standing at £10. The accounts state that there are no concerns about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, noting that ongoing costs are minimal as the charity has no staff wages or buildings to pay. However, the charity aims to build reserves to cover six months of ongoing costs, a target it has not yet reached. Its FY2026 accounts were independently examined.
What does the highest-paid employee of LOST CAUSE earn?
Per its FY2026 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £8,477 band.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| VERONICA AND LARS BANE FOUNDATION CIO | 1 | — |
| AKO FOUNDATION | 1 | £750k |
| THE T. S. ELIOT FOUNDATION | 1 | £118k |
| THE BLANES TRUST | 1 | £70k |
| CATKIN PUSSYWILLOW CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £65k |
| PETER STORMONTH DARLING CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £28k |
| THE PHILIP MARSDEN FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £27k |
| DAVID AND ELAINE POTTER FOUNDATION | 1 | £25k |
Charities like this
- THE LOFT THEATRE COMPANY
- THE OPEN THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED
- HAMPSTEAD THEATRE LIMITED
- THEATRE WORKS
- THE COMPANY PRESENTS LIMITED
- ACTONE ARTSBASE
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOST CAUSE | £34k | £8,477 | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE LOFT THEATRE COMPANY | £179k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE OPEN THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED | £903k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| HAMPSTEAD THEATRE LIMITED | £6.0m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THEATRE WORKS | £159k | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| THE COMPANY PRESENTS LIMITED | £36k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |