ODI Global
ODI is Britain's leading independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues. Our mission is to inspire and inform policy and practice which lead to the reduction of poverty, the alleviation of suffering and the achievement of sustainable livelihoods in developing countries.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that ODI Global reported a net deficit of £620k for the year, driven by the loss of USAID funding and a challenging environment for recovering full costs on funded work. Despite this, the charity maintains unrestricted reserves of £4.2 million, which the trustees confirm are within their stated risk-based policy target range of £3.5m to £5.5m. The auditor confirmed the financial statements give a true and fair view and identified no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“£130,001 - £140,000 1 1” — page 47
“The majority (89%) of ODI Global’s income is generated from charitable research and the Fellowship scheme” — page 21
“The trustees have estimated that free reserves, defined as unrestricted funds less those designated or represented by fixed assets should be in the region of £3.5m to £5.5m.” — page 22
“H Alderson was paid £40,117 (2024: £20,426) for consultancy fees for ODI Global projects "BHA Financial Access" and "GAC Sanctions".” — page 64
“The charity's trading subsidiary ODI Global Advisory Limited gift aids available profits to the parent charity. The amount of profit generated by ODI Global Advisory for the year is £464,541.” — page 64
“H Alderson was paid £40,117 (2024: £20,426) for consultancy fees for ODI Global projects "BHA Financial Access" and "GAC Sanctions".” — page 64
“The charity's trading subsidiary ODI Global Advisory Limited gift aids available profits to the parent charity. The amount of profit generated by ODI Global Advisory for the year is £464,541.” — page 64
“The Charity has a wholly owned subsidiary, ODI Global Advisory Limited, which is incorporated in the UK.” — page 45
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- Alexia Latortue
- Amanda Rowlatt
- Dr Ekaette Ikpe
- Dr Jessica May Ayers
- Hannah Meadley-Roberts
- Helen Patricia Alderson Reat Noch
- Jean-Michel Severino
- John Kenneth Baker
- Lord George Mark Malloch-Brown
- Mustafa Faruqi
- Sir Suma Chakrabarti
- dominic McVey
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £34.8m | £34.0m |
| 31/03/2024 | £29.9m | £32.3m |
| 31/03/2023 | £27.9m | £27.3m |
| 31/03/2022 | £27.4m | £29.1m |
| 31/03/2021 | £35.0m | £34.4m |
Common questions
Is ODI Global financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that ODI Global reported a net deficit of £620k for the year, driven by the loss of USAID funding and a challenging environment for recovering full costs on funded work. Despite this, the charity maintains unrestricted reserves of £4.2 million, which the trustees confirm are within their stated risk-based policy target range of £3.5m to £5.5m. The auditor confirmed the financial statements give a true and fair view and identified no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by HaysMac LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of ODI Global earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £130,001 - £140,000 band.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE REED FOUNDATION | 1 | — |
| THE BRITISH ACADEMY FOR THE PROMOTION OF HISTORICAL PHILOSOPHICAL AND PHILOLOGICAL STUDIES | 1 | £2.7m |
| START NETWORK | 1 | £919k |
| THE JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE (UK) | 1 | £206k |
| THE BLOOM FOUNDATION | 1 | £114k |
| PLAN INTERNATIONAL UK | 1 | £103k |
| GLOBAL DIALOGUE | 1 | £99k |
| INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT | 1 | £38k |
Charities like this
- OASIS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION
- ODIN CHARITABLE TRUST
- EDHI INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION UK
- INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC DIALOGUE
- THE INSTITUTE OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
- BRITISH DIVISION OF THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF PATHOLOGY CIO
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI Global | £34.8m | £130,001 - £140,000 | — | within | — | no doubt |
| OASIS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION | £119k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| ODIN CHARITABLE TRUST | £313k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| EDHI INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION UK | £6.3m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC DIALOGUE | £5.2m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| THE INSTITUTE OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES | £23.4m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |