Friends Of The Nations' Libraries

Also known as: Friends of the National Libraries

Grants to promote the acquisition by national and regional libraries and archives of printed books, manuscripts and records of historical, literary, artistic, architectural, musical or such like interest and to assist the libraries in any other way which the Charity considers appropriate.

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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 Scotland

Region

England And Wales

Financial Information

Latest Income

£765,524

Latest Expenditure

£753,435

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 88.2%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 51% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample: 962). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 89.6%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 26% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 12.9%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 22% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £477,463

Charitable Activities £46,516

Other Trading £0

Investments £241,305

Other Income £240

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £675,150

Raising Funds £78,285

Governance £19,099

Grants to Institutions £656,051

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 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	£765,524	£753,435	£675,150	£6,310,868	£6,310,868	0 / 0
2023	£584,471	£377,048	£275,021	£6,090,407	£6,090,407	0 / 3
2022	£1,979,227	£1,427,106	£1,351,355	£5,747,531	£5,747,531	0 / 3
2021	£16,347,392	£15,349,544	£15,261,885	£5,664,087	£5,664,087	0 / 2
2020	£1,221,740	£757,774	£700,264	£4,302,703	£232,805	0 / 1

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Friends Of The Nations' Libraries

What does Friends Of The Nations' Libraries do?

How much income did Friends Of The Nations' Libraries report in 2024?

Friends Of The Nations' Libraries reported total income of £766k and reported expenditure of £753k for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Friends Of The Nations' Libraries?

Friends Of The Nations' Libraries has a program ratio of 88.2%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 51% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample of 962 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Friends Of The Nations' Libraries registered as a charity?

Friends Of The Nations' Libraries was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 22 March 1963 as charity number 313020. It has been registered for 63 years.

Who runs Friends Of The Nations' Libraries?

Friends Of The Nations' Libraries is governed by a board of 16 trustees. The chair of trustees is Mr Geordie Greig. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Friends Of The Nations' Libraries operate?

Friends Of The Nations' Libraries operates across 3 areas: Northern Ireland, Scotland and England And Wales.

Is Friends Of The Nations' Libraries a registered charity?

Yes — Friends Of The Nations' Libraries is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 313020.