BRADFORD MECHANICS INSTITUTE LIBRARY
Provision of educational facilities for general public particularlyin arts and literature.
Objects
(I) THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE EDUCATION OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT OF BRADFORD BY THE PROVISION OF A LIBRARY AND FACILITIES FOR STUDY AND (II) THE PROVISION OF A PUBLIC HALL FOR USE FOR MEETINGS, LECTURES AND CLASSES AND OTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SAID INHABITANTS.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted free reserves stood at £24,192, which is below the trustees' stated target of one year's expenditure (£82,000). Despite this shortfall, the trustees report adequate resources for the foreseeable future and note that total income increased significantly to £102,514 from £65,058 in the prior year.
What the accounts disclose
“At the year end, after deduction of designated fixed asset fund reserves, unrestricted funds (free reserves) stood at £24,192 (2024 £26,890) which is under the target level.” — page 6
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Investing charity funds policy and procedures
- Paying staff
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
Trustees
- J R MASON
- MR M SMITHIES
- Patricia Restorick
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £103k | £87k |
| 31/03/2024 | £65k | £68k |
| 31/03/2023 | £41k | £53k |
| 31/03/2022 | £55k | £54k |
| 31/03/2021 | £47k | £37k |
Common questions
Is BRADFORD MECHANICS INSTITUTE LIBRARY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted free reserves stood at £24,192, which is below the trustees' stated target of one year's expenditure (£82,000). Despite this shortfall, the trustees report adequate resources for the foreseeable future and note that total income increased significantly to £102,514 from £65,058 in the prior year. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 17/09/2025 | £120k | "Know Your City" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 12/12/2023 | £10k | "Bradford Mechanics Institute - Engagement" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 13/02/2014 | £10k | "Bradford in the Great War 100 Years On" |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE JORDAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £1.4m |
| THE LORD MAYOR'S APPEAL | 1 | £1.1m |
| THE MASTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £259k |
| THE CLORE DUFFIELD FOUNDATION | 1 | £232k |
| THE SANDERSON FOUNDATION | 1 | £210k |
| THE DRUE HEINZ CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £200k |
| THE ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION | 1 | £150k |
| THE CHARLOTTE AITKEN TRUST | 1 | £82k |
Charities like this
- THE LONDON LIBRARY
- NATIONAL NUMERACY
- MECHANICS FOR AFRICA
- CITIZENS ADVICE BRADFORD & AIREDALE AND BRADFORD LAW CENTRE
- BRITISH FRIENDS OF THE CHAZON ISH INSTITUTIONS
- BROMLEY 'Y'
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRADFORD MECHANICS INSTITUTE LIBRARY | £103k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| THE LONDON LIBRARY | £6.3m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NATIONAL NUMERACY | £2.2m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| MECHANICS FOR AFRICA | £171k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CITIZENS ADVICE BRADFORD & AIREDALE AND BRADFORD LAW CENTRE | £2.5m | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| BRITISH FRIENDS OF THE CHAZON ISH INSTITUTIONS | £110k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |