ROYAL SOCIETY OF PAINTERS IN WATER COLOURS
The Society is committed to uphold and advance the historic and contemporary art of watercolour painting.The members of the Society support and contribute to the work of their London home, Bankside Gallery, through exhibitions, workshops and educational events.The Society's art collections and archives are maintained and made available as a resource for artists, scholars and a worldwide public.
Objects
THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC TASTE IN ART BY THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF WATERCOLOUR PAINTING
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity held unrestricted reserves of £973,864 against a policy target of two years' expenditure, indicating reserves are above the stated policy minimum. The filing notes that recent income sources have been insufficient to cover activity costs, but the charity achieved a net surplus for the year and holds sufficient reserves to mitigate identified risks.
What the accounts disclose
“During the year under review, total income amounted to £305,214 (2024: £261,534). The cost of raising funds in the year was £9,567 (2024: £9,504)” — page 8
“Council currently recognises the need to set aside amounts to ensure the continuance of the following activities, for a minimum period of two years.” — page 6
Policies the charity declares
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Risk management
Trustees
- Charlotte Louise Cole
- Chloe Anastasia Cheese
- David Wiseman
- Francis Bowyer
- Julia Midgley RWS RE
- Mark Jeremy Entwisle
- Mark Raggett
- Olivia O'Sullivan
- Paul William Cox
- Rose Ann Gillian LEMAN RWS
- Sarah Barbara Holliday
- Sophie Rebecca Knight
- Suzy Laura Rose Fasht
- Tessa Sabina Pearson
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £305k | £303k |
| 31/12/2024 | £262k | £297k |
| 31/12/2023 | £188k | £267k |
| 31/12/2022 | £413k | £179k |
| 31/12/2021 | £228k | £138k |
Common questions
Is ROYAL SOCIETY OF PAINTERS IN WATER COLOURS financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity held unrestricted reserves of £973,864 against a policy target of two years' expenditure, indicating reserves are above the stated policy minimum. The filing notes that recent income sources have been insufficient to cover activity costs, but the charity achieved a net surplus for the year and holds sufficient reserves to mitigate identified risks. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| CECIL AND HILDA LEWIS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £192k |
| PRISM THE GIFT FUND | 1 | £68k |
| JOHN LYON'S CHARITY | 1 | £42k |
| CATHY WILLS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £23k |
| THE LOVINGTON FOUNDATION | 1 | £5k |
| THE COMPANY OF ARTS SCHOLARS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £2k |
| THE EXBURY GARDENS TRUST | 1 | £2k |
Charities like this
- BANKSIDE GALLERY LIMITED
- THE SOCIETY OF BOTANICAL ARTISTS LIMITED
- ROYAL SOCIETY OF PAINTER-PRINTMAKERS
- THE CONTEMPORARY ART SOCIETY
- THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
- THE ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROYAL SOCIETY OF PAINTERS IN WATER COLOURS | £305k | — | 0 | unclear | 3.1% | no doubt |
| BANKSIDE GALLERY LIMITED | £448k | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE SOCIETY OF BOTANICAL ARTISTS LIMITED | £218k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ROYAL SOCIETY OF PAINTER-PRINTMAKERS | £123k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE CONTEMPORARY ART SOCIETY | £2.1m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM | £236k | £90,001 - £100,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |