THE YORKSHIRE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

Registered charity 529709 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register

The objectives of the Society are to stimulate public understanding of the sciences, including natural, physical, social and archaeological sciences, through lectures, grants, sponsorship and educational activities. The Society runs an annual series of around 20 public lectures, and maintains an interest in the Yorkshire Museum and Gardens, York, which it originally founded in the 1820s.

Objects

THE PROMOTION OF NATURAL SCIENCE AND THE STUDY OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND ANTIQUITIES.

Area of benefit: THE COUNTY OF YORK.

The charity’s charitable objects and area of benefit, quoted from its governing document as held on the Charity Commission register.

Causes: Education/training · Arts/culture/heritage/science · website · Get email alerts

Latest income

£46k

Latest spending

£44k

Registered

1963

Accounts read

FY2024

Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts

The accounts state that total unrestricted funds stood at £65,323, with £61,384 held in general funds. The Trustees report that these free reserves cover a target range of 6 to 12 months' operating costs, indicating a stable financial position without material uncertainty.

Automated summary of the FY2024 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Reserves policy: 6 to 12 months’ operating costs (held: £61k)

“The level of free reserves held by the Society, which amounted to £61,384 on 31 December 2024 (2023: £61,767) covers the target range of 6 to 12 months’ operating costs.” — page 8

Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.

Policies the charity declares

In its annual return the charity told the Commission that it has the policies listed below. This is self-declared: it is not verified by the Commission or by this site, and it is not evidence of how a policy works in practice.

Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
Campaigns and political activity policy and procedures
Complaints handling
Complaints policy and procedures
Conflicting interests
Financial reserves policy and procedures
Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
Internal risk management policy and procedures
Investing charity funds policy and procedures
Investment
Paying staff
Risk management
Safeguarding policy and procedures
Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
Trustee expenses policy and procedures

Funders the charity credits

Named as funders/supporters on the charity’s own website (the charity’s claim, distinct from accounts-verified grants).

IET North Yorkshire — “We are grateful for the support of IET North Yorkshire for our lecture programme.” (source page)

Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): instagram

Trustees · trustee networks

David William Harbournechair
Dr Dorothy Arkell Nott · trustee of 1 other charity
Dr ROGER MARTIN PINDER
Dr Thomas Hughes
Felicity Helen Easdale Hurst
Jeffrey Taylor
Jonathan Bernard Coulson
Paul Stephen Thornley
Professor Andrew Charles Marvin
Rosemary Anderton
Sally Suzanne Osgerby

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: City Of York · East Riding Of Yorkshire · Leeds City · North Yorkshire

Income and spending

Financial year end	Income	Spending
31/12/2025	£46k	£44k
31/12/2024	£34k	£39k
31/12/2023	£39k	£45k
31/12/2022	£71k	£49k
31/12/2021	£29k	£45k

Common questions

Is THE YORKSHIRE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY financially healthy?

Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that total unrestricted funds stood at £65,323, with £61,384 held in general funds. The Trustees report that these free reserves cover a target range of 6 to 12 months' operating costs, indicating a stable financial position without material uncertainty. Its FY2024 accounts were independently examined.