THE MAGIC CIRCLE FOUNDATION LIMITED
The promotion of the education of the public in the history and practice of the art of magic
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a combined loss of £45,527 for the year ended 31 March 2025, resulting in total net assets of £372,336. The trustees acknowledge ongoing challenges from the economic climate and HS2 construction but believe the foundation is well-placed to cope with these risks using existing reserves. The organization relies heavily on its trading subsidiary for commercial income and maintains a defined contribution pension scheme with no disclosed deficit.
What the accounts disclose
“The charitable company aims to maintain reserves sufficient for its effective operations and as a provision for refurbishment costs, normal maintenance and running costs.” — page 11
“The Board of Trustees is of the opinion that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the short to medium term. However, the ongoing uncertainty regarding the economic climate will require the Centre Director and the board to continuously monitor and review the impact on the Foundation and the trading subsidiary.” — page 11
“During the year the company charged The Magic Circle £35,000 (2024: £35,000) rent for the use of 12 Stephenson Way. M Berglas, who was a trustee of The Magic Circle Foundation Limited during the year, is also a member of the Council of The Magic Circle.” — page 29
“During the year the company raised management fees £149,006 (2024: £116,410) to the subsidiary CMAT.” — page 29
“During the year the company charged The Magic Circle £35,000 (2024: £35,000) rent for the use of 12 Stephenson Way. M Berglas, who was a trustee of The Magic Circle Foundation Limited during the year, is also a member of the Council of The Magic Circle.” — page 29
“During the year the company raised management fees £149,006 (2024: £116,410) to the subsidiary CMAT.” — page 29
“The company has incorporated a subsidiary: Centre for the Magic Arts Trading Limited ("CMAT").” — page 29
Trustees
- Vimal Tilakapalachair
- Dr David Sidney Walsh
- Marvin Roy Berglas
- SARAH JANE CAMPBELL
- STUART ALAN SCOTT
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £211k | £283k |
| 31/03/2024 | £183k | £214k |
| 31/03/2023 | £165k | £189k |
| 31/03/2022 | £187k | £163k |
| 31/03/2021 | £146k | £144k |
Common questions
Is THE MAGIC CIRCLE FOUNDATION LIMITED financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a combined loss of £45,527 for the year ended 31 March 2025, resulting in total net assets of £372,336. The trustees acknowledge ongoing challenges from the economic climate and HS2 construction but believe the foundation is well-placed to cope with these risks using existing reserves. The organization relies heavily on its trading subsidiary for commercial income and maintains a defined contribution pension scheme with no disclosed deficit. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE GRAND CHARITY | 1 | £6.6m |
| NORTHUMBERLAND MASONIC CHARITY ASSOCIATION | 1 | £825k |
| Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons' Charity (LRFC) | 1 | £187k |
| CHARITY OF SIR RICHARD WHITTINGTON | 1 | £104k |
| THE WARWICKSHIRE MASONIC CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION LIMITED | 1 | £40k |
| THE RAYNE FOUNDATION | 1 | £20k |
| THE CLARE MILNE TRUST | 1 | £13k |
| THE FRENCH HUGUENOT CHURCH OF LONDON CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £11k |
Charities like this
- CIRK HES LTD
- MAGIC ME
- MASONIC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
- JUST CIRCLE LIMITED
- THE READING FOUNDATION
- ALACRITY FOUNDATION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE MAGIC CIRCLE FOUNDATION LIMITED | £211k | — | 0 | unclear | — | noted |
| CIRK HES LTD | £149k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| MAGIC ME | £446k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| MASONIC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | £90.8m | — | — | within | — | no doubt |
| JUST CIRCLE LIMITED | £7.1m | — | — | within | — | no doubt |
| THE READING FOUNDATION | £517k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |