THE UNITED SOCIETY
In 2017, the Society supported programmes in more than 20 countries spread across 14 Anglican provinces through relationship and partnership. Our programmes equip church leaders with skills that enable wider participation in integral mission and development as well as empower churches and ordinary people to take control of their health and communities through vibrant and participatory processes.
Objects
THE OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY ARE TO ADVANCE THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION IN ACCORDANCEWITH THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCHES OF BRITAIN AND IRELANDAMONGST THE CHURCHES OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION AND THE COMMUNITIES THEYSERVE, THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, INCLUDING THROUGH, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWINGMEANS:(I) THE RELIEF OF POVERTY;(II) THE PROMOTION OF GOOD HEALTH;(III) THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CAPACITY ANDSKILLS OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED MEMBERS OF SUCHCOMMUNITIES IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY ARE BETTER ABLE TO IDENTIFY, AND HELPMEET, THEIR NEEDS AND TO PARTICIPATE MORE FULLY IN SOCIETY;(IV) THE TRAINING, DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER SUPPORT OF CHURCH LEADERS;(V) THE PROVISION OF ADVOCACY AND WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH SUCH CHURCHESAND COMMUNITIES; AND(VI) ANY OTHER MEANS AIMED AT IMPROVING CONDITIONS OF LIFE AND PROSPECTS FORTHE FUTURE AS THE TRUSTEES SHALL DEEM FIT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLESOF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION AS PRACTISED IN THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION;INCLUDING ACTING IN CO-OPERATION WITH PARTNERS IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE SUCHCHARITABLE OUTCOMES.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity holds substantial free reserves of £10.66 million, which represent approximately 51 months of operational costs, well above its policy target of 12 months. Although the charity reported a deficit on unrestricted funds of £1.026 million due to decreased donations and increased operating costs, it maintains a strong balance sheet with total assets of £60.4 million and no material uncertainties regarding its going concern status.
What the accounts disclose
“37% income was generated from investments, while donations and legacies generated 25% and 21% respectively.”
“The reserves policy anticipates that the level of reserves should represent at least 12 months’ operational costs.”
“Trustees’ expenses include overseas travel costs and reimbursed travel expenses of £ 3,734 (2024: £2,878) and paid to 9 (2024: 9) Trustees.” — page 50
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
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- 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: 12
- Employees paid over £60,000: 4 (£80,001–£90,000: 2; £90,001–£100,000: 1; £100,001–£110,000: 1)
- Grant-making is its main activity
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2024
- Volunteers: 150
- Employees paid over £60,000: 4 (£70,001–£80,000: 2; £90,001–£100,000: 1; £100,001–£110,000: 1)
- Grant-making is its main activity
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2023
- Volunteers: 15
- Employees paid over £60,000: 3 (£70,001–£80,000: 1; £80,001–£90,000: 1; £100,001–£110,000: 1)
- Grant-making is its main activity
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (02/02/2017)
Trustees
- Rev DAVID STUART WALKERchair
- Charles Cowling
- Christine Helen Dyer
- David William Chislett
- John Peter Dimitri Wienand
- MATHEN THOMAS
- Prof Emma Lindsay Wild-Wood
- Rev Fungai Cathrine Ngangira
- Rev Joseph Patricius Hawes
- Rev Kenson Cosmo Joseph Li
- Rosemary Helen Dawson
- Samuel Patrick Sutherland Williams
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £5.0m | £4.5m |
| 31/12/2024 | £3.4m | £4.2m |
| 31/12/2023 | £3.7m | £3.9m |
| 31/12/2022 | £3.4m | £3.3m |
| 31/12/2021 | £3.1m | £3.1m |
Common questions
Is THE UNITED SOCIETY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity holds substantial free reserves of £10.66 million, which represent approximately 51 months of operational costs, well above its policy target of 12 months. Although the charity reported a deficit on unrestricted funds of £1.026 million due to decreased donations and increased operating costs, it maintains a strong balance sheet with total assets of £60.4 million and no material uncertainties regarding its going concern status. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Knox Cropper LLP.
Who funds THE UNITED SOCIETY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE UNITED SOCIETY as a grant recipient include THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST EDWARD THE CONFESSOR, DRINGHOUSES, YORK, PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE PARISH OF ALL SAINTS, FOUR OAKS, SUTTON COLDFIELD, THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY, BEDDINGTON, R G HILLS CHARITABLE TRUST, THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF CHIPPENHAM (ST ANDREW) WITH TYTHERTON LUCAS.
Known funders
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE JULIA RAUSING TRUST | 1 | £629k |
| JOHN LAING CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £338k |
| THE MASTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £303k |
| PETER DIXON CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £50k |
| Z V M RANGOONWALA FOUNDATION | 1 | £40k |
| BACK ON THE MAP LIMITED | 1 | £31k |
| THE BRITFORD BRIDGE TRUST | 1 | £30k |
| THE DAGNY RAYMOND CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £29k |
Charities like this
- UNITED LIFE (U LIFE)
- THE LONDON DISTRICT AND SOUTH EASTERN PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF UNITARIAN AND FREE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES (INCORPORATED)
- UNITED CHARITIES OF CAMBRIDGE
- BECOME UNITED
- THE ROYAL UNITED KINGDOM BENEFICENT ASSOCIATION
- CHURCH COMMUNITIES UK
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE UNITED SOCIETY | £5.0m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| UNITED LIFE (U LIFE) | £70k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE LONDON DISTRICT AND SOUTH EASTERN PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF UNITARIAN AND FREE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES (INCORPORATED) | £81k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| UNITED CHARITIES OF CAMBRIDGE | £387k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| BECOME UNITED | £252k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL UNITED KINGDOM BENEFICENT ASSOCIATION | £7.0m | — | — | within | — | no doubt |