Sense About Science

Provide advice on scientific matters to the media, policymakers, the general public and others.Produce educational materials on scientific issues for the public as well as medical professionals and others.Respond to misleading or false information by providing the public with relevant scientific evidence.Promote the importance of independent scientific advice for public policy.

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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

Ireland Scotland

Region

England And Wales

Financial Information

Latest Income

£795,419

Latest Expenditure

£821,715

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 101.5%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 74% of UK Charitable activities charities with income £100K to £1M (sample: 1431). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 98.2%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 49% of UK Charitable activities charities with income £100K to £1M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 3.6%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 44% of UK Charitable activities 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 £239,214

Charitable Activities £552,062

Other Trading £0

Investments £4,143

Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £807,234

Raising Funds £14,481

Governance £15,007

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	£795,419	£821,715	£807,234	£373,400	£222,199	12 / 20
2024	£750,228	£815,566	£802,226	£399,696	£257,544	12 / 20
2023	£754,039	£746,192	£730,581	£465,034	£388,498	11 / 25
2022	£887,587	£715,359	£694,597	£457,187	£457,187	10 / 30
2021	£626,187	£544,545	£522,855	£284,959	£284,959	9 / 30

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Sense About Science

What does Sense About Science do?

How much income did Sense About Science report in 2025?

Sense About Science reported total income of £795k and reported expenditure of £822k for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Sense About Science?

Sense About Science has a program ratio of 101.5%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 74% of UK Charitable activities charities with income £100K to £1M (sample of 1431 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Sense About Science registered as a charity?

Sense About Science was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 29 February 2012 as charity number 1146170. It has been registered for 14 years.

Who runs Sense About Science?

Sense About Science is governed by a board of 13 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Sense About Science operate?

Sense About Science operates across 3 areas: Ireland, Scotland and England And Wales.

Is Sense About Science a registered charity?

Yes — Sense About Science is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1146170.