THE ASPINALL FOUNDATION
The Foundation is actively involved and sponsor conservation activities both at Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks, in addition to overseas projects in the Congo and Gabon and more recently in Indonesia and Madagascar. Our main spheres of conservation-based activity include captive breeding and ecosystem management and reintroduction of captive-bred and confiscated wild-born animals.
Latest income
£1.9m
Latest spending
£3.5m
Registered
1984
Accounts read
FY2024
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported an operating deficit of £1,153,000 for the year ended 31 December 2024, with total income of £1,950,000. Per the trustees' report, free reserves stood at £7,595,000, which the trustees consider sufficient to cover six months of administrative costs and maintain financial resilience.
What the accounts disclose
Related-party transaction: Payment to Memina Capital Limited for office space; JDA Aspinall is sole director/shareholder.
“During the year, the Foundation was charged £70,046 (2023: £19,472) by Memina Capital Limited for the provision of office space. JDA Aspinall is the sole director and shareholder of Memina Capital Limited.” — page 79
“During the year, the Foundation received income of £54,041 (2023 - £59,589) from JDA Aspinall for the rent of Howletts Mansion and other recharges.” — page 79
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Income from JDA Aspinall for rent of Howletts Mansion and recharges.
“During the year, the Foundation was charged £70,046 (2023: £19,472) by Memina Capital Limited for the provision of office space. JDA Aspinall is the sole director and shareholder of Memina Capital Limited.” — page 79
“During the year, the Foundation received income of £54,041 (2023 - £59,589) from JDA Aspinall for the rent of Howletts Mansion and other recharges.” — page 79
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: CBIL loan to THWAT and interest payments.
“During the year, the Foundation was charged £70,046 (2023: £19,472) by Memina Capital Limited for the provision of office space. JDA Aspinall is the sole director and shareholder of Memina Capital Limited.” — page 79
“During the year, the Foundation received income of £54,041 (2023 - £59,589) from JDA Aspinall for the rent of Howletts Mansion and other recharges.” — page 79
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Trading subsidiary: WeWild Africa NPC
“WeWild Africa NPC (previously named The Aspinall Foundation South Africa until February 2023 ) is a South African registered non-profit company (number 2021/481489/08), which was established during 2021. The sole member was the Trustees of The Aspinall Foundation until 3 December 2024 when TAF resigned as a member.” — page 79
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Charity Commission inquiry
The Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into The Aspinall Foundation in March 2021 due to serious concerns regarding the charity's governance, financial management, and handling of conflicts of interest. The report states that the opening of the inquiry is not a finding of wrongdoing and does not specify a final outcome, as the inquiry was in progress at the time of publication.
Per the Commission’s published report. Summary is automated; the official report is authoritative.
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Total income
£1.9m
Total spending
£3.5m
Cost of raising funds
£820k
Reserves (reported)
£7.6m
Employees
20
Trustees
- DAMIAN ASPINALLchair
- Tansy Aspinall
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £1.9m | £3.5m |
| 31/12/2023 | £1.5m | £3.2m |
| 31/12/2022 | £1.9m | £3.1m |
| 31/12/2021 | £2.3m | £3.3m |
| 31/12/2020 | £1.9m | £2.9m |
Common questions
Is THE ASPINALL FOUNDATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported an operating deficit of £1,153,000 for the year ended 31 December 2024, with total income of £1,950,000. Per the trustees' report, free reserves stood at £7,595,000, which the trustees consider sufficient to cover six months of administrative costs and maintain financial resilience. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Goldwins Limited.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 15/03/2006 | £5k | "The John Aspinall Foundation Is Devoted To Protecting Rare And Endangered Animals At Howletts And Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks In Kent. Wit" |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 13/03/2006 | £5k | Wheelchair Accessable Vehicle |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE SIR EDWARD LEWIS FOUNDATION | 2 | £17k |
| THE BERYL EVETTS AND ROBERT LUFF ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST LIMITED | 2 | £14k |
| THE MILLENNIUM OAK TRUST | 1 | — |
| OLSEN ANIMAL TRUST | 1 | £906k |
| THE ALBORADA TRUST | 1 | £467k |
| THE FRAXINUS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £150k |
| MRS D M FRANCE-HAYHURST FOUNDATION | 1 | £117k |
| THE ROGER RAYMOND CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £101k |
Charities like this
- THE BORN FREE FOUNDATION
- THE DAVID SHEPHERD WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
- THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION
- THE HOWLETTS WILD ANIMAL TRUST
- THE BRISTOL CLIFTON AND WEST OF ENGLAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY LIMITED
- THE WILDLIFE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE ASPINALL FOUNDATION | £1.9m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE BORN FREE FOUNDATION | £7.7m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE DAVID SHEPHERD WILDLIFE FOUNDATION | £1.3m | — | — | unclear | 18.0% | no doubt |
| THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION | £2.0m | £60,000 - £69,999 | 1 | unclear | 3.1% | no doubt |
| THE HOWLETTS WILD ANIMAL TRUST | £27.0m | £270,000 - £279,999 | — | unclear | — | noted |
| THE BRISTOL CLIFTON AND WEST OF ENGLAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY LIMITED | £7.6m | £130,001 - £140,000 | — | unclear | — | material uncertainty |