CHURCH URBAN FUND
Church Urban Fund works to catalyse social action and bring about positive change in lives and communities across England. Through a combination of community-based projects, capacity-building support and research and policy activity, we work with churches and a wide range of partners towards our goal of seeing people and communities flourish and enjoy life in all its fullness.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted free reserves were £2,679,000 at year-end, which is well above the Trustees' stated policy target of £600,000 to £800,000. The charity reported a net deficit of £691,000 for the year, resulting in a decrease in total net assets from £4,049,000 to £3,358,000. Despite the deficit, the Trustees confirmed adequate resources to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“They have considered a target level for unrestricted free reserves of between £600k and £800k” — page 16
“Near Neighbours paid CUF a grant of £168k (2024: £176k) to administer the Small Grants programme. Near Neighbours made a contribution of £213k (2024: £169k) to CUF for the administration of the overall programme. Near Neighbours transferred its reserves of £142k to CUF on 31 December 2025.” — page 14
“During the year Just Finance Foundation made a contribution of £50k (2024: £50k) to CUF towards the shared central service costs provided by CUF. At the end of the year intercompany balance of £17k was owed to CUF” — page 38
“Near Neighbours paid CUF a grant of £168k (2024: £176k) to administer the Small Grants programme. Near Neighbours made a contribution of £213k (2024: £169k) to CUF for the administration of the overall programme. Near Neighbours transferred its reserves of £142k to CUF on 31 December 2025.” — page 14
“During the year Just Finance Foundation made a contribution of £50k (2024: £50k) to CUF towards the shared central service costs provided by CUF. At the end of the year intercompany balance of £17k was owed to CUF” — page 38
Corporate structure
- Registered company of the charity Companies House 02138994
- Trading subsidiary: NEAR NEIGHBOURS Companies House 07603317
- Trading subsidiary: JUST FINANCE FOUNDATION Companies House 10204667
- Turnover: £604k
- Profit before tax: £-38k
- Donated/gift-aided to the charity: £169k
- Balance owed by parent charity
“Near Neighbours made a contribution of £169k (2023: £187k) to CUF for the administration of the overall programme.”
- Donated/gift-aided to the charity: £50k
- Intercompany balance of £17k owed to parent charity Church Urban Fund.
“Just Finance Foundation paid £50k (2024: £50k) to Church Urban Fund towards the shared central service costs provided by CUF on behalf of JFF.”
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Bishop Rob Wickham — Group Chief Executive Officer
- Adam Edwards — Deputy CEO
- Vinyo Aidam — Director of Finance and Governance
Company officers (Companies House)
- FOSTER, Jessica Beatrice, Revd on trustee list
- HARRIES, Richard Peter on trustee list
- HUBBARD, Rachel Margaret on trustee list
- MATHEW, Shemil, Reverend on trustee list
- BARBER-ROWELL, Matthew Stephen, Dr on trustee list
- SUEN, Louise on trustee list
- YOUNG, Carolyn Margaret on trustee list
- GIRT, Matthew Toby Nathan on trustee list
- BROUGHTON, Jacqueline on trustee list
- DISSANAYEKE, Chandru Michael on trustee list
- CUMMINGS, Christopher James on trustee list
- GRIEVE, Alison Esther on trustee list
- AIDAM, Vinyo
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (06/08/2018)
Trustees
- Christopher James Cummingschair
- Alison Esther Grieve
- Carolyn Margaret Young
- Chandru Michael Dissanayeke
- Dr Matthew Stephen Barber-Rowell
- Jacqueline Broughton
- Louise Suen
- Matthew Toby Nathan Girt
- Rachel Margaret Hubbard
- Rev Jessica Beatrice Foster
- Rev Shemil Mathew
- Richard Peter Harries
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £3.0m | £3.8m |
| 31/12/2024 | £3.8m | £3.6m |
| 31/12/2023 | £4.0m | £3.4m |
| 31/12/2022 | £4.6m | £3.3m |
| 31/12/2021 | £5.1m | £6.3m |
Common questions
Is CHURCH URBAN FUND financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted free reserves were £2,679,000 at year-end, which is well above the Trustees' stated policy target of £600,000 to £800,000. The charity reported a net deficit of £691,000 for the year, resulting in a decrease in total net assets from £4,049,000 to £3,358,000. Despite the deficit, the Trustees confirmed adequate resources to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Forvis Mazars LLP.
Who funds CHURCH URBAN FUND?
Funders whose own accounts filings name CHURCH URBAN FUND as a grant recipient include THE LIZ AND TERRY BRAMALL FOUNDATION, THE ARCHBISHOPS' COUNCIL, NEAR NEIGHBOURS, THE ALBERT GUBAY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST.
Known funders
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK government | 01/04/2019 | £1.3m | CG-NEAR NEIGHBOURS INITIATIVE |
| UK government | 01/04/2019 | £460k | Windrush |
| UK government | 01/04/2018 | £21k | LIBOR (Lifesavers) |
| UK government | 01/04/2018 | £1.9m | CG-NEAR NEIGHBOURS INITIATIVE |
| UK government | — | £191k | LIBOR (Lifesavers) |
Funders of similar charities
Charities like this
- DERBY URBAN CHURCH
- NOW CHURCH
- CITY CHURCH ( CAMBRIDGE )
- City Life Church Truro
- CHURCH SOCIETY
- CITY VALLEY CHURCH
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHURCH URBAN FUND | £3.0m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| DERBY URBAN CHURCH | £219k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NOW CHURCH | £180k | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CITY CHURCH ( CAMBRIDGE ) | £657k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| City Life Church Truro | £238k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| CHURCH SOCIETY | £301k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |