THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION
The promotion of the science of ornithology.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity made a loss of £28,907 for the year, with unrestricted funds standing at £673,863. The trustees report that finances continue to be sound and there is no suggestion that this will change in the medium term. The charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
What the accounts disclose
“Council has agreed that we should reduce Unrestricted Funds to £350k, in the medium term, representing one year of operations (£250k) and a buffer of £100k.”
“During the year payments of £5,035 (2023 - £4,796) were made to Professor J Gill, wife of G Appleton, a Trustee. This was for IBIS editorial services and the transactions were on an arms length basis.” — page 46
Trustees
- Dr Graeme Buchananchair
- Dr Alexander Lees
- Dr Catharine Horswill
- Dr Catriona Morrison
- Dr Hugh Lewis Wright
- Dr Lynda Donaldson
- Dr Mark Alexander Eaton
- Dr Mark James Eddowes
- Dr Natalia Barbara Zielonka
- Dr Rosamund Mary Whipple Green
- Dr Stuart Sharp
- Dr Tom Bradfer-Lawrence
- Professor Arjun Dev Amar
- Professor Emma Jane Ann Cunningham
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £220k | £282k |
| 31/12/2024 | £218k | £265k |
| 31/12/2023 | £222k | £221k |
| 31/12/2022 | £202k | £254k |
| 31/12/2021 | £183k | £229k |
Common questions
Is THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity made a loss of £28,907 for the year, with unrestricted funds standing at £673,863. The trustees report that finances continue to be sound and there is no suggestion that this will change in the medium term. The charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Azets Audit Services.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| JOHN ELLERMAN FOUNDATION | 1 | £376k |
| GARFIELD WESTON FOUNDATION | 1 | £250k |
| THE DRW FOUNDATION | 1 | £109k |
| GRANTSCAPE | 1 | £73k |
| JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £61k |
| PEACOCK CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £49k |
| THE ICTHIUS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £47k |
| THE LINDER FOUNDATION | 1 | £39k |
Charities like this
- THE BRITISH TRUST FOR ORNITHOLOGY
- BRITISH POULTRY SCIENCE LTD
- BRITISH ORTHOPAEDIC ASSOCIATION
- ORIENTAL BIRD CLUB
- NORFOLK ORNITHOLOGISTS ASSOCIATION
- BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF DERMATOLOGISTS
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION | £220k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE BRITISH TRUST FOR ORNITHOLOGY | £8.7m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BRITISH POULTRY SCIENCE LTD | £105k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BRITISH ORTHOPAEDIC ASSOCIATION | £3.2m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| ORIENTAL BIRD CLUB | £130k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NORFOLK ORNITHOLOGISTS ASSOCIATION | £170k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |