SWEDENBORG SOCIETY
Publishing and selling the works of Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) and biographies and studies of his influence. Maintaining a library and holding lectures and meetings connected with the same.
Objects
THE OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY SHALL BE TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC IN THE STUDY OF GENEALOGY. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE ABOVE OBJECT BUT NOT FURTHER OR OTHERWISE THE SOCIETY MAY:-A) COLLECT, PUBLISH, CO-ORDINATE AND MAKE ACCESSIBLE IN THE INTERESTS OF GENEALOGY ANY DOCUMENTS OR RECORDS PARTICULARLY RELATING TO THE COUNTY OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT.B) PROMOTE THE PRESENTATION OF SUCH DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS.C) HOLD LECTURES, OUTINGS, MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS AND ISSUE PUBLICATIONS.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity holds total unrestricted funds of £18,832,147, with free reserves of £210,452, which the Council considers a reasonable buffer representing 99 days of operating costs. The charity reported a net deficit before investments of £114,869, but this was offset by significant net gains on investments of £675,083, resulting in a net movement in funds of £560,214. The auditor confirmed that the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate with no material uncertainties identified.
What the accounts disclose
“The number of employees earning in excess of £60,000 is as follows: £60,000 - £70,000 2025 1”
“The number of employees earning in excess of £60,000 is as follows: £60,000 - £70,000 2025 1”
“This level of free reserves represents 99 days of operating costs (2024: 156 days). The Council considers that this level of free reserves is a reasonable buffer to absorb temporary reductions in income whilst allowing the Society’s work to continue.” — page 38
“1 Trustee received reimbursement of travel expenses amounting to £281 during the year”
Year-over-year changes
- Reserves position vs the charity's own policy moved from "within" (FY2024) to "below" (FY2025).
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Investing charity funds policy and procedures
- Investment
- Paying staff
- Risk management
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Social media 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 31/12/2025
- Volunteers: 20
- Employees paid over £60,000: 1 (£60,001–£70,000: 1)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2024
- Volunteers: 15
- Employees paid over £60,000: 1 (£60,001–£70,000: 1)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2023
- Volunteers: 3
- Employees paid over £60,000: 1 (£60,001–£70,000: 1)
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Trustees
- Alan Michael Cowley
- Clare Cumberlidge
- Colin Guy Buttimer
- David Duner
- Erika Heilman
- Mark Riley
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £664k | £779k |
| 31/12/2024 | £497k | £709k |
| 31/12/2023 | £479k | £643k |
| 31/12/2022 | £467k | £545k |
| 31/12/2021 | £985k | £472k |
Common questions
Is SWEDENBORG SOCIETY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity holds total unrestricted funds of £18,832,147, with free reserves of £210,452, which the Council considers a reasonable buffer representing 99 days of operating costs. The charity reported a net deficit before investments of £114,869, but this was offset by significant net gains on investments of £675,083, resulting in a net movement in funds of £560,214. The auditor confirmed that the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Moore Kingston Smith LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of SWEDENBORG SOCIETY earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £60,000 - £70,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL ART COLLECTIONS FUND | 1 | £50k |
| ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSEUMS | 1 | £48k |
| JOHN JACKSON CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £28k |
| THE HENRY MOORE FOUNDATION | 1 | £10k |
| DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE'S CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £10k |
| THE WILLIAMS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £7k |
| THE AUSTIN AND HOPE PILKINGTON TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| SUNDERLAND VOLUNTARY SECTOR ALLIANCE | 1 | £3k |
Charities like this
- SUNDERLAND ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY
- ANGLO-SWEDISH SOCIETY
- SUNDERLAND CULTURE LIMITED
- STAMFORD SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
- THE EASTBOURNE SOCIETY
- THE SWEDISH BENEVOLENT TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWEDENBORG SOCIETY | £664k | £60,000 - £70,000 | 1 | below | — | no doubt |
| SUNDERLAND ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY | £123k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| ANGLO-SWEDISH SOCIETY | £51k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| SUNDERLAND CULTURE LIMITED | £2.7m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| STAMFORD SHAKESPEARE COMPANY | £788k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE EASTBOURNE SOCIETY | £20k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |