THOMAS CORAM FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN (FORMERLY FOUNDLING HOSPITAL)
Through services in adoption, supported housing, parents centre, family support and education, Coram works with vulnerable children, young people and their families, transforming their lives through practical help and support. We aim to build self-esteem and well-being, preparing children and young people for a fulfilling adult life.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the Group reported a consolidated deficit before investment gains of £66,000 for the year ended 31 March 2025, compared to a surplus in the previous year, primarily due to timing in voluntary income and the absence of a VAT rebate received in 2023/24. Per the trustees' report, free reserves decreased to £4,094,000, which remains slightly above the stated policy target of six months' operational expenditure (£5.8 million when including expendable endowment). The auditors confirmed that the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate with no material uncertainties identified.
What the accounts disclose
“The number of employees who earned £60,000 per annum or more (including taxable benefits but excluding employer’s pension contributions) during the year was as follows:” — page 51
“Income for the group and/or charity comprises donations; legacies; investment income and interest receivable; income from charitable activities comprising grants, fees and contractual income; and income from other sources.”
“our Trustees consider it appropriate to seek to hold a minimum of six months operational expenditure in free reserves and expendable endowment funds (£5.8 million based on the Charity’s 2024/25 operational expenditure)”
“During the year, excluding VAT, the Museum paid Coram £nil in respect of insurance (2024 - £7,274), £6,254 (2024 - £5,945) for rent and service charge, £nil (2024 - £735) for waste collection and £8,000 (2024 - £8,000) for sale of fine art. Also, during the year excluding VAT, the Museum paid £nil to acquire the long-term leasehold interest of the Museum (2024- £4.5 million. Coram paid the Museum £nil (2024 - £nil) in respect of consultancy charges and paid the Foundling Museum Trading Company £8,497 (2024 - £2,769) for venue hire. Coram also paid £9,111 (2024 - £17,171) for Fine Art insurance.” — page 68
“During the year, expenses of £1,898 (2024 - £546) were reimbursed to one (2024 – one) of the Trustees of Coram in relation to out of pocket travelling expenses.” — page 52
“During the year, excluding VAT, the Museum paid Coram £nil in respect of insurance (2024 - £7,274), £6,254 (2024 - £5,945) for rent and service charge, £nil (2024 - £735) for waste collection and £8,000 (2024 - £8,000) for sale of fine art. Also, during the year excluding VAT, the Museum paid £nil to acquire the long-term leasehold interest of the Museum (2024- £4.5 million. Coram paid the Museum £nil (2024 - £nil) in respect of consultancy charges and paid the Foundling Museum Trading Company £8,497 (2024 - £2,769) for venue hire. Coram also paid £9,111 (2024 - £17,171) for Fine Art insurance.” — page 68
“During the year, expenses of £1,898 (2024 - £546) were reimbursed to one (2024 – one) of the Trustees of Coram in relation to out of pocket travelling expenses.” — page 52
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Professor Sir Ivor Crewe — President
- Jenny Coles CBE — Vice Chair
- Vivienne Dews — Treasurer
- Edward Timpson CBE KC — Trustee
- Cassie Buchanan OBE — Trustee
- Her Honour Judge Celia Dawson — Trustee
- Andrew Carter — Trustee
- Barbara Hudson — Trustee
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (16/02/2024)
- Received assets from another charity (29/12/2021)
- Received assets from another charity (20/08/2019)
Trustees
- Sir Ivor Crewechair
- Andrew Carter
- Anthony Edward Timpson CBE KC
- Barbara Hudson
- Cassandra Anna Buchanan
- Gita Singham-Willis
- Hanif Barma
- Her Honour Judge Celia Dawson
- James Dray
- James Hadley
- Jenny Coles CBE
- Jill Pay
- Kerry Smith
- Mark Spelman
- Neena Arora Rupani
- Simon Greenhalgh
- Vivienne Margaret Dews
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £27.6m | £27.6m |
| 31/03/2024 | £25.6m | £25.1m |
| 31/03/2023 | £21.8m | £21.7m |
| 31/03/2022 | £21.2m | £20.7m |
| 31/03/2021 | £20.9m | £20.1m |
Common questions
Is THOMAS CORAM FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN (FORMERLY FOUNDLING HOSPITAL) financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the Group reported a consolidated deficit before investment gains of £66,000 for the year ended 31 March 2025, compared to a surplus in the previous year, primarily due to timing in voluntary income and the absence of a VAT rebate received in 2023/24. Per the trustees' report, free reserves decreased to £4,094,000, which remains slightly above the stated policy target of six months' operational expenditure (£5.8 million when including expendable endowment). The auditors confirmed that the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Buzzacott Audit LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of THOMAS CORAM FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN (FORMERLY FOUNDLING HOSPITAL) earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the unclear band.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 17/09/2024 | £1.0m | "Speaking for Ourselves: the Living History of the Care-Experienced Movement" |
| UK government | 01/04/2021 | £40k | EU Settlement Grant Scheme Funding |
| UK government | 01/04/2021 | £14k | EU Settlement Grant Scheme Funding |
| UK government | 01/04/2020 | £43k | EU Settlement Grant Scheme Funding 21/22 |
| Greater London Authority | 01/09/2019 | £90k | Coram |
| UK government | 01/04/2018 | £183k | Child Trafficking Protection Fund (CTPF) 18-19 |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 06/03/2018 | £1.3m | "Voices Through Time: The Story of Care" |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 02/12/2015 | £260k | Adoption Activity Days (AAD's) |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 05/12/2012 | £46k | "Twisted" |
| City Bridge Foundation | 07/05/2009 | £114k | Grant to Thomas Coram Foundation for Children (formerly Foundling Hospital) |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 13/09/2005 | £52k | Identifying the Needs of BME People in the Family Justice System |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE BAND TRUST | 1 | £520k |
| JUSTICE COLLABORATIONS | 1 | £336k |
| EVERY YOUTH | 1 | £219k |
| THE OVO CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £191k |
| The Keith Howard Foundation | 1 | £135k |
| TRUST FOR LONDON | 1 | £118k |
| THE LEGAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION | 1 | £96k |
| CHARITY OF SIR RICHARD WHITTINGTON | 1 | £78k |
Charities like this
- CORAM FAMILY AND CHILDCARE LTD
- CORAM LIFE EDUCATION
- FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD
- THE BENJAMIN FOUNDATION
- CARITAS CARE LIMITED
- CORAM VOICE (FORMERLY VOICE FOR THE CHILD IN CARE)
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS CORAM FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN (FORMERLY FOUNDLING HOSPITAL) | £27.6m | unclear | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CORAM FAMILY AND CHILDCARE LTD | £438k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| CORAM LIFE EDUCATION | £774k | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| FIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST LTD | £2.3m | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| THE BENJAMIN FOUNDATION | £8.7m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CARITAS CARE LIMITED | £8.3m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |