Booktrust

Also known as: Book Trust, National Book League

Reading changes lives. Booktrust ensures all children and families have the opportunity to enjoy and be confident in their reading. We provide expertise for parents and professionals to make quality choices of reading for children. We engage with communities in the promotion of reading. And we advocate for national and local policies to recognise the social and economic importance of reading.

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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.

Country

Northern Ireland

Region

England And Wales

Financial Information

Latest Income

£12,431,928

Latest Expenditure

£12,530,475

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 91.8%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 42% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income over £10M (sample: 685). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 91.1%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 25% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income over £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 9.5%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 21% 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

Donations & Legacies £2,144,636

Charitable Activities £10,175,980

Other Trading £39,349

Investments £71,963

Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £11,418,475

Raising Funds £1,112,000

Governance £78,000

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.

Financial Year	Income	Expenditure	Charitable Spending	Net Assets	Reserves	Staff
2025	£12,431,928	£12,530,475	£11,418,475	£6,159,000	£6,159,000	102 / 0
2024	£12,022,881	£12,097,942	£10,996,942	£6,192,177	£6,192,177	97 / 0
2023	£11,924,597	£13,769,928	£12,785,928	£6,118,161	£6,118,161	98 / 0
2022	£11,071,181	£11,552,655	£10,689,960	£8,274,498	£8,274,498	90 / 0
2021	£10,390,941	£10,215,057	£9,393,968	£8,527,991	£8,527,991	83 / 0

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Booktrust

What does Booktrust do?

How much income did Booktrust report in 2025?

Booktrust reported total income of £12.43m and reported expenditure of £12.53m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Booktrust?

Booktrust has a program ratio of 91.8%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 42% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income over £10M (sample of 685 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Booktrust registered as a charity?

Booktrust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 1 July 1963 as charity number 313343. It has been registered for 63 years.

Who runs Booktrust?

Booktrust is governed by a board of 11 trustees. The chair of trustees is Radha Rupa Chakraborty. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Booktrust operate?

Booktrust operates across 2 areas: Northern Ireland and England And Wales.

Is Booktrust a registered charity?

Yes — Booktrust is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 313343.