THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY
We are working to make the Bible available and accessible worldwide and build people's confidence in it. We are an advocate for the Bible's place in our national life and we work closely with 146 other Bible Societies across the world to deliver our global ministry.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that total income increased by 10.6% to £26.2 million, driven by growth in trading and donation income. The charity maintains unrestricted reserves of £14.7 million, which the Trustees consider to be nine months' equivalent operating expenditure, sitting at the upper end of their stated three-to-nine-month target range. The going concern basis is supported by strong cash balances and sufficient reserves, with no material uncertainties identified by the auditors.
What the accounts disclose
“Donation and legacy income increased to £14.8 million (2024: £13.6 million). The largest income stream continues to be donations from our supporters which grew by 10.8 per cent.”
“Our fundraising Return on Investment (ROI!) in 2024—2025 was 4.99, which means that for every pound we spend on fundraising we raise £4.99 in donations.”
“The Charity charged the subsidiary £122,406 (2024: £131,560) for office space, IT and payroll services. At the end of the year, the subsidiary has owed the Charity £1,896,776 (2024: £1,827,237). The sales from the subsidiary to the Charity for the year came to £90,618 (2024: £138,048)” — page 42
“The consolidated statement of financial activities includes the results of the Charity's wholly owned subsidiary Bible Society Resources Limited, Company number 05450490.” — page 25
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (13/06/2026)
- Received assets from another charity (10/07/2024)
- Received assets from another charity (06/06/2024)
- Received assets from another charity (25/04/2024)
- Received assets from another charity (11/07/2023)
- Received assets from another charity (19/11/2021)
Trustees
- Alan Eccles CBEchair
- Brenden Thompson
- Chittoor Isaac George
- Dr Olubunmi Olayisade
- Keith Starling
- Leanne Long
- Paul Williams
- Philip Hewinson
- Professor Claire Taylor
- Ramez Atallah
- Richard Taylor
- Rochelle Bond
- Rosemary Nuamah Williams
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £26.2m | £25.8m |
| 31/03/2024 | £23.6m | £25.0m |
| 31/03/2023 | £23.3m | £26.8m |
| 31/03/2022 | £23.0m | £19.9m |
| 31/03/2021 | £21.5m | £17.5m |
Common questions
Is THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that total income increased by 10.6% to £26.2 million, driven by growth in trading and donation income. The charity maintains unrestricted reserves of £14.7 million, which the Trustees consider to be nine months' equivalent operating expenditure, sitting at the upper end of their stated three-to-nine-month target range. The going concern basis is supported by strong cash balances and sufficient reserves, with no material uncertainties identified by the auditors. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Crowe U.K. LLP.
Who funds THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY as a grant recipient include UNITED BIBLE SOCIETIES ASSOCIATION, THE WILLIAM LEECH FOUNDATION LIMITED - THE FOUNDATION TRUST, THE WILLIAM LEECH FOUNDATION LIMITED - THE CHARITY TRUST, THE JERUSALEM TRUST, WORLD DAY OF PRAYER NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR ENGLAND, WALES AND NORTHERN IRELAND.
Known funders
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Mercers' Company | 04/07/2018 | £42k | Grant to Bible Society |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE DEO GLORIA TRUST | 3 | £28k |
| RADSTOCK TRUST CIO | 2 | £399k |
| AWAKEN LOVE FOR AFRICA | 1 | £54k |
| THE ALMOND TRUST | 1 | £40k |
| MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, CARDIGAN | 1 | £22k |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PETERS YATELEY | 1 | £16k |
| THE LONGFORD CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £14k |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF CHRIST CHURCH, CHORLEYWOOD | 1 | £9k |
Charities like this
- UNITED BIBLE SOCIETIES ASSOCIATION
- THE WORD FOR THE WORLD, UK
- THE TRINITARIAN BIBLE SOCIETY
- NAVAL & MILITARY BIBLE SOCIETY LTD
- BIBLE AND GOSPEL TRUST
- BIBLICA EUROPE MINISTRIES TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY | £26.2m | — | — | unclear | 20.0% | no doubt |
| UNITED BIBLE SOCIETIES ASSOCIATION | £35.0m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE WORD FOR THE WORLD, UK | £307k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE TRINITARIAN BIBLE SOCIETY | £4.3m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| NAVAL & MILITARY BIBLE SOCIETY LTD | £195k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| BIBLE AND GOSPEL TRUST | £8.9m | — | — | unclear | — | noted |