Army Benevolent Fund

Also known as: Abf the Soldiers' Charity

The Charity's Objectives are to benefit persons who are serving or who have served in the British Army, or their dependants, in any charitable way by the provision of grants, loans, gifts, pensions or otherwise.

Email Charity

Activities & Mission

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.

Region

England And Wales

Financial Information

Latest Income

£38,740,182

Latest Expenditure

£15,993,849

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 23.6%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Overall Efficiency 57.3%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Administrative Ratio 43.8%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £33,310,585

Charitable Activities £0

Other Trading £3,152,286

Investments £2,277,311

Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £9,161,365

Raising Funds £6,832,484

Governance £177,585

Grants to Institutions £0

Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

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.

The Commission record shows these related events on the register:

Asset transfer in in 2025 — The Pavilion Trust (organisation 275192)
Asset transfer in in 2023 — The Queen's Lancashire Regiment Veterans Charity. (organisation 5079798)
Asset transfer in in 2022 — Selkirk No 2 Trust (organisation 274730)
Asset transfer in in 2018 — The Commandos Benevolent Fund (organisation 229631)

Financial Year	Income	Expenditure	Charitable Spending	Net Assets	Reserves	Staff
2025	£38,740,182	£15,993,849	£9,161,365	£118,490,941	£104,417,856	84 / 1000
2024	£15,259,562	£15,615,647	£9,148,077	£97,906,033	£83,116,092	83 / 1000
2023	£11,402,605	£14,675,195	£8,984,126	£92,860,312	£65,611,797	78 / 1000
2022	£11,157,055	£13,387,894	£8,427,858	£100,131,157	£71,527,134	79 / 1000
2021	£11,847,964	£12,308,072	£8,270,016	£93,889,583	£32,146,721	85 / 1000

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Army Benevolent Fund

What does Army Benevolent Fund do?

How much income did Army Benevolent Fund report in 2025?

Army Benevolent Fund reported total income of £38.74m and reported expenditure of £15.99m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

When was Army Benevolent Fund registered as a charity?

Army Benevolent Fund was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 15 March 2012 as charity number 1146420. It has been registered for 14 years.

Who runs Army Benevolent Fund?

Army Benevolent Fund is governed by a board of 12 trustees. The chair of trustees is RACHEL SARAH BOOTH. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Army Benevolent Fund operate?

Army Benevolent Fund operates in England And Wales, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.

Is Army Benevolent Fund a registered charity?

Yes — Army Benevolent Fund is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1146420.