Absolute Return For Kids (ark)
Ark is an education charity that exists to make sure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. Ark incubates, launches and scales ventures that share our mission and values.
Activities & Mission
Ark is an education charity that exists to make sure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. Ark incubates, launches and scales ventures that share our mission and values.
Areas of Operation
Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.
Country
Region
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 88% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income over £10M (sample: 685). How is this calculated?
Higher than 46% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income over £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 35% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income over £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2024.
One or more years show a significant change in income (over ±100%) compared with the prior year. This usually reflects a merger, transfer of activities, restated accounts, or a one-off legacy — not necessarily a real change in operating scale. See the methodology for context.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | £31,018,000 | £32,351,000 | £31,500,000 | £3,616,000 | £3,616,000 | 32 / 0 |
| 2023 | £25,363,000 | £28,681,000 | £27,890,000 | £2,983,000 | £1,929,000 | 42 / 0 |
| 2022 | £24,388,000 | £24,150,000 | £23,265,000 | £35,035,000 | £35,035,000 | 110 / 0 |
| 2021 | £35,012,000 | £25,305,000 | £23,959,000 | £32,615,000 | £32,600,000 | 105 / 0 |
| 2020 | £13,687,000 | £16,057,000 | £15,474,000 | £2,010,000 | £2,010,000 | 44 / 0 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about Absolute Return For Kids (ark)
What does Absolute Return For Kids (ark) do?
Ark is an education charity that exists to make sure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. Ark incubates, launches and scales ventures that share our mission and values.
How much income did Absolute Return For Kids (ark) report in 2024?
Absolute Return For Kids (ark) reported total income of £31.02m and reported expenditure of £32.35m for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is Absolute Return For Kids (ark)?
Absolute Return For Kids (ark) has a program ratio of 101.6%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 88% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income over £10M (sample of 685 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was Absolute Return For Kids (ark) registered as a charity?
Absolute Return For Kids (ark) was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 9 January 2003 as charity number 1095322. It has been registered for 23 years.
Who runs Absolute Return For Kids (ark)?
Absolute Return For Kids (ark) is governed by a board of 4 trustees. The chair of trustees is Ian Gerald Patrick Wace. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does Absolute Return For Kids (ark) operate?
Absolute Return For Kids (ark) operates across 4 areas: India, South Africa, Uganda and England.
Is Absolute Return For Kids (ark) a registered charity?
Yes — Absolute Return For Kids (ark) is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1095322.
Details
Edcity
LONDON
W12 7TF
Registry Information
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Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.
Trustees
Also governs 1 other charity
Also governs 2 other charities
Also governs 1 other charity
Sectors & Classifications
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated