THE ARMY CENTRAL FUND
The Army Central Fund promotes the efficiency of the British Army by providing charitable funds to improve the well-being of serving personnel and their immediate families. The Board considers applications from the Army and from charities that support the Army. We do not accept applications from individuals and we are not able to support the veteran community.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity holds unrestricted reserves of £66,314,288, which the trustees describe as a strategic reserve equal to over 20 years of annual grants. Per the trustees' report, the charity operates without fundraising and disperses over 96% of its income in grants, maintaining a cost-effective structure with support costs of only 3% of total expenditure.
What the accounts disclose
“The Charity operates without any subscriptions, sponsorship, government grants or fundraising.” — page 5
“The Board sets the level of grant making to match available income to protect the value of the fund in perpetuity.”
“During the ACF accounting year from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, Mr Guy Davies was the Chair of the Advisory Committee overseeing the investments of the Armed Forces Charities Growth & Income Fund which delivers dividend income. He did not receive any renumeration or benefit from membership of this committee.” — page 36
“During the ACF accounting year from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 there were six Directors of ACF Trustee Ltd who were reimbursed for travel expenses totalling £1,268 and one Director reimbursed for accommodation expenses of £51.” — page 36
“During the ACF accounting year from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, Mr Guy Davies was the Chair of the Advisory Committee overseeing the investments of the Armed Forces Charities Growth & Income Fund which delivers dividend income. He did not receive any renumeration or benefit from membership of this committee.” — page 36
“During the ACF accounting year from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 there were six Directors of ACF Trustee Ltd who were reimbursed for travel expenses totalling £1,268 and one Director reimbursed for accommodation expenses of £51.” — page 36
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 30/06/2025)
Trustees
- Army Central Fund Trustee Ltd
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/06/2025 | £2.9m | £3.2m |
| 30/06/2024 | £3.0m | £9.8m |
| 30/06/2023 | £3.0m | £3.6m |
| 30/06/2022 | £2.7m | £2.5m |
| 30/06/2021 | £2.6m | £3.8m |
Common questions
Is THE ARMY CENTRAL FUND financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity holds unrestricted reserves of £66,314,288, which the trustees describe as a strategic reserve equal to over 20 years of annual grants. Per the trustees' report, the charity operates without fundraising and disperses over 96% of its income in grants, maintaining a cost-effective structure with support costs of only 3% of total expenditure. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Dunkley's Chartered Accountants.
Who funds THE ARMY CENTRAL FUND?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE ARMY CENTRAL FUND as a grant recipient include THE ARMED FORCES EQUINE CHARITY.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE ARMED FORCES EQUINE CHARITY | FY2022 | £39k | Loo Block Project / Toilet facilities refurbishment |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| WALKING WITH THE WOUNDED | 2 | £436k |
| THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION | 1 | £2.6m |
| THE ARMY DEPENDANTS' TRUST | 1 | £2.5m |
| WARRANT OFFICERS' & SERGEANTS' MESS SCHOOL OF ELECTRICAL & MECHANICAL ENGINEERS | 1 | £1.1m |
| ARMED FORCES COVENANT FUND | 1 | £500k |
| ROYAL ARTILLERY CHARITABLE FUND | 1 | £407k |
| Army Benevolent Fund | 1 | £406k |
| THE REME CHARITY | 1 | £263k |
Charities like this
- Army Benevolent Fund
- ARMY ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES FUND
- THE ROYAL MILITARY POLICE CENTRAL BENEVOLENT FUND
- THE ARMY DEPENDANTS' TRUST
- THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CENTRAL FUND
- ARMY FAMILIES FEDERATION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE ARMY CENTRAL FUND | £2.9m | — | 0 | above | 0.0% | no doubt |
| Army Benevolent Fund | £13.7m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ARMY ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES FUND | £188k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL MILITARY POLICE CENTRAL BENEVOLENT FUND | £278k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| THE ARMY DEPENDANTS' TRUST | £2.1m | £60,001 - £70,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CENTRAL FUND | £6.6m | £100,001 - £110,000 | 3 | unclear | — | no doubt |