SCRIPTURE UNION
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Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported an operating deficit of £977,000 for the year ended 31 March 2025, driven by deliberate investment in its 'Revealing Jesus' strategy and an impairment adjustment to its National Office building. Despite the deficit, total unrestricted reserves stood at £3,089,000, which is above the Trustees' stated target range of £1.1m to £1.5m, although this figure includes £677,000 of accrued legacy income where cash receipt may be delayed. The Trustees plan to significantly reduce financial deficits over the next two years while continuing to invest in resources to grow donation income.
What the accounts disclose
“During the year, four employees (2024: three employees) earned between £60,001 and £70,000, one employee (2024: no employee) earned between £70,001 and £80,000, one employee (2024: no employee) earned between £80,001 and £90,000 and no employee (2024: one employee) earned between £90,001 and £100,000, excluding employer pension contributions.” — page 32
“During the year, four employees (2024: three employees) earned between £60,001 and £70,000, one employee (2024: no employee) earned between £70,001 and £80,000, one employee (2024: no employee) earned between £80,001 and £90,000 and no employee (2024: one employee) earned between £90,001 and £100,000, excluding employer pension contributions.” — page 32
“as at 31 March 2025 the Trustees considered it prudent to set the target level of general reserves retained by the Movement at between £1.1m and £1.5m.” — page 14
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from £90,001 - £100,000 (FY2024) to £80,001 - £90,000 (FY2025).
- Employees paid over £60,000: 4 (FY2024) → 6 (FY2025).
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (24/06/2025)
- Received assets from another charity (11/07/2023)
- Received assets from another charity (10/07/2023)
- Received assets from another charity (17/01/2023)
- Received assets from another charity (19/11/2021)
- Received assets from another charity (01/11/2021)
Trustees
- Richard Westacott Goddenchair
- Caroline Sarah Daly
- JUNIOR CHARLES JOHNSON
- KIM B HURST
- Malcolm William Forsyth
- Mark Binney
- RICHARD ALASTAIR EVANS
- Rachael Mary Heffer
- SANDRA MORRIS
- Sarah Jane Smart
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £4.7m | £5.7m |
| 31/03/2024 | £4.2m | £5.2m |
| 31/03/2023 | £4.5m | £5.1m |
| 31/03/2022 | £4.4m | £4.5m |
| 31/03/2021 | £4.5m | £4.2m |
Common questions
Is SCRIPTURE UNION financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported an operating deficit of £977,000 for the year ended 31 March 2025, driven by deliberate investment in its 'Revealing Jesus' strategy and an impairment adjustment to its National Office building. Despite the deficit, total unrestricted reserves stood at £3,089,000, which is above the Trustees' stated target range of £1.1m to £1.5m, although this figure includes £677,000 of accrued legacy income where cash receipt may be delayed. The Trustees plan to significantly reduce financial deficits over the next two years while continuing to invest in resources to grow donation income. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by MHA.
What does the highest-paid employee of SCRIPTURE UNION earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £80,001 - £90,000 band, and 6 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds SCRIPTURE UNION?
Funders whose own accounts filings name SCRIPTURE UNION as a grant recipient include GREAT LAKES OUTREACH, SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST, THE LONGFORD CHARITABLE TRUST, THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF HOLY TRINITY, RUDGWICK, WALLINGFORD BAPTIST CHURCH.
Known funders
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY | 1 | £4.0m |
| CHILDS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £159k |
| THE A S CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £57k |
| THE RETA LILA HOWARD FOUNDATION | 1 | £52k |
| THE STUART HINE TRUST CIO | 1 | £43k |
| The PCC of the Ecclesiastical parish of Peasedown St John and Foxcote with Shoscombe | 1 | £30k |
| THE SAMUEL STOREY FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £20k |
| NORMAN WHITELEY TRUST | 1 | £13k |
Charities like this
- THE CRUSADERS' UNION
- SCRIPTURE UNION INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL
- SCRIPTURE GIFT MISSION (INCORPORATED)
- THE BAPTIST UNION OF GREAT BRITAIN
- BIBLES FOR CHILDREN
- NEW LIFE BIBLE CHURCH
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCRIPTURE UNION | £4.7m | £80,001 - £90,000 | 6 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE CRUSADERS' UNION | £2.0m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| SCRIPTURE UNION INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL | £879k | £70,001 - £80,000 | — | within | — | no doubt |
| SCRIPTURE GIFT MISSION (INCORPORATED) | £1.5m | £70,000 - £79,999 | 2 | above | 9.1% | no doubt |
| THE BAPTIST UNION OF GREAT BRITAIN | £11.1m | — | 2 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BIBLES FOR CHILDREN | £136k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |