Creative Folkestone

Also known as: The Creative Foundation

Creative Folkestone is an arts organisation committed to making great art, and through this we will make Folkestone a great place. The charity promotes creativity through the Creative Quarter, Folkestone Triennial, a festivals programme including the Folkestone Book Festival, Quarterhouse performing arts centre, the Folkestone Artworks collection and a programme of learning and engagement.

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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.

Local Authority

Kent

Financial Information

Latest Income

£3,013,426

Latest Expenditure

£3,329,362

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 107.9%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 88% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 780). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 97.7%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 60% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 3.4%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 59% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £92,110

Charitable Activities £2,707,275

Other Trading £188,428

Investments £25,613

Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £3,251,843

Raising Funds £77,519

Governance £34,950

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	£3,013,426	£3,329,362	£3,251,843	£21,051,701	£600,000	26 / 50
2024	£3,078,417	£2,662,234	£2,584,568	£21,318,408	£680,000	25 / 50
2023	£2,793,414	£2,707,441	£2,662,422	£20,895,911	£600,000	26 / 12
2022	£4,932,681	£3,913,996	£3,882,153	£20,809,938	£507,000	32 / 50
2021	£3,661,249	£2,272,438	£2,272,339	£19,791,253	£462,000	20 / 50

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Creative Folkestone

What does Creative Folkestone do?

How much income did Creative Folkestone report in 2025?

Creative Folkestone reported total income of £3.01m and reported expenditure of £3.33m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Creative Folkestone?

Creative Folkestone has a program ratio of 107.9%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 88% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 780 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Creative Folkestone registered as a charity?

Creative Folkestone was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 28 July 2004 as charity number 1105174. It has been registered for 22 years.

Who runs Creative Folkestone?

Creative Folkestone is governed by a board of 10 trustees. The chair of trustees is Sir Roger De Haan. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Creative Folkestone operate?

Creative Folkestone operates in Kent, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.

Is Creative Folkestone a registered charity?

Yes — Creative Folkestone is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1105174.