THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND
Helps published authors or performed playwrights of several works who are in financial difficulties through grants and pensions. Also runs various activities for the "advancement of public education".
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity holds total reserves of £191.7 million, with £191.5 million in unrestricted funds, providing significant liquidity. The trustees confirm that these resources are adequate to continue operations for the foreseeable future, adopting the going concern basis. The charity reported a net expenditure of £2.5 million for the year, largely offset by investment gains, resulting in a slight decrease in overall fund balances.
What the accounts disclose
“As one of the beneficiaries of the Estate of AA Milne, the Fund is one of four members of the Pooh Properties Trust (PPT). Mark Lawson represented the Fund’s interests as a trustee of PPT. PPT’s decisions are based upon unanimous agreement and no trustee has any controlling interest. Mark Lawson received no remuneration from either charity for this role. During the year Royalties of £116,250 (2024: £127,500) were received.” — page 39
“On 2 October 2025, a wholly owned trading subsidiary was incorporated called RLF Volta Ltd (company registration number 16757457). The company has not yet traded. Trading is expected to commence during 2025/26.” — page 39
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- Sir Ian Craig Blatchfordchair
- Andrew McMillan
- Brenda Gardner
- COLIN LUKE
- Colin Peter Ludlow
- Dan Franklin
- Dorothy Sheila Irving
- Dreda Say Mitchell MBE
- Fiona Sampson MBE
- George Graham
- Janelle Davy
- Judith Murray
- Kerry Glencorse
- MICHAEL SYMMONS ROBERTS
- Marianne Velmans
- Mark Gardiner
- Mark Lawson
- Paula Hawkins
- Rosalynn Try-Hane
- Sammia Hamer
- Susheila Nasta
- Terence Blacker
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £4.3m | £9.1m |
| 31/03/2024 | £4.2m | £8.3m |
| 31/03/2023 | £3.2m | £7.8m |
| 31/03/2022 | £4.7m | £6.7m |
| 31/03/2021 | £3.1m | £6.6m |
Common questions
Is THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity holds total reserves of £191.7 million, with £191.5 million in unrestricted funds, providing significant liquidity. The trustees confirm that these resources are adequate to continue operations for the foreseeable future, adopting the going concern basis. The charity reported a net expenditure of £2.5 million for the year, largely offset by investment gains, resulting in a slight decrease in overall fund balances. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Saffery LLP.
Who funds THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND as a grant recipient include THE TANAGRA FOUNDATION, THE D G CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE TANAGRA FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £33k | helps authors or playwrights who are in financial difficulties through grants and pensions |
| THE D G CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £25k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| BEIS MENACHEM CHABAD LUBAVITCH | 1 | £183k |
| YESHIVAS LUBAVITCH MANCHESTER | 1 | £20k |
| JUSTICE FOR JOURNALISTS FOUNDATION | 1 | £19k |
| BOOKER PRIZE FOUNDATION | 1 | £18k |
| THE ROWSE FAMILY TRUST | 1 | £18k |
| THE ALBERT GUBAY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £12k |
| THE MACKINTOSH FOUNDATION | 1 | £10k |
| ACTING FOR OTHERS | 1 | £10k |
Charities like this
- THE AUTHORS' CONTINGENCY FUND
- THE ROYAL THEATRICAL FUND
- ENGLISH PEN
- THE PURI FOUNDATION
- ROYAL FEMALE SCHOOL OF ART FOUNDATION
- ROYAL DOCKS TRUST (LONDON)
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND | £4.3m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE AUTHORS' CONTINGENCY FUND | £49k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL THEATRICAL FUND | £679k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| ENGLISH PEN | £663k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE PURI FOUNDATION | £5.3m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| ROYAL FEMALE SCHOOL OF ART FOUNDATION | £215k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |