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The Arvon Foundation

Also known as: The Arvon Foundation Limited

We run a year-round programme of creative writing courses at three rural writing houses and also online, offering expert tuition from established writers in all forms of published writing to people from all backgrounds and experience. We run mentoring and other creative writing projects and a grant scheme to enable open access to our courses, and provide dedicated facilities for writers' retreats.

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Activities & Mission

We run a year-round programme of creative writing courses at three rural writing houses and also online, offering expert tuition from established writers in all forms of published writing to people from all backgrounds and experience. We run mentoring and other creative writing projects and a grant scheme to enable open access to our courses, and provide dedicated facilities for writers' retreats.

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.

Financial Information

Latest Income
£3,261,172
Latest Expenditure
£2,269,394

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 64.2%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 12% of UK Economic and community development charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 829). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 92.3%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 31% of UK Economic and community development charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 9.8%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 24% of UK Economic and community development 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 £1,907,559
Charitable Activities £1,226,768
Other Trading £0
Investments £18,272
Other Income £108,573

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £2,094,870
Raising Funds £172,921
Governance £49,129
Grants to Institutions £0
Other Expenditure £1,603

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2024.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2024
£3,261,172
£2,269,394£2,094,870£5,302,809£65,30041 / 0
2023
£2,599,973
£2,286,228£2,118,580£4,311,031£158,31744 / 1
2022
£2,043,911
£2,257,598£2,107,581£3,996,288£197,88145 / 1
2021
£1,895,294
£1,866,972£1,688,499£4,537,588£494,02942 / 1
2020
£1,730,810
£1,578,258£1,401,251£4,509,165£430,66342 / 1

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The Arvon Foundation

What does The Arvon Foundation do?

We run a year-round programme of creative writing courses at three rural writing houses and also online, offering expert tuition from established writers in all forms of published writing to people from all backgrounds and experience. We run mentoring and other creative writing projects and a grant scheme to enable open access to our courses, and provide dedicated facilities for writers' retreats.

How much income did The Arvon Foundation report in 2024?

The Arvon Foundation reported total income of £3.26m and reported expenditure of £2.27m for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is The Arvon Foundation?

The Arvon Foundation has a program ratio of 64.2%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 12% of UK Economic and community development charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 829 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was The Arvon Foundation registered as a charity?

The Arvon Foundation was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 28 March 1973 as charity number 306694. It has been registered for 53 years.

Who runs The Arvon Foundation?

The Arvon Foundation is governed by a board of 15 trustees. The chair of trustees is Patricia Clare Cumper. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The Arvon Foundation operate?

The Arvon Foundation operates across 4 areas: Calderdale, Devon, Shropshire and London.

Is The Arvon Foundation a registered charity?

Yes — The Arvon Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 306694.

Details

Address
LUMB BANK
HEPTONSTALL
HEBDEN BRIDGE
WEST YORKSHIRE
HX7 6DF
Registration Date
28 March 1973
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
306694
Charity Number
306694

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Other notable Economic and community development charities

Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.

Trustees

Patricia Clare Cumper Chair
Anna Williams
Also governs 1 other charity
Dr Maria Evans
Jack Redfern
Joshua Adam Eremo Cockcroft
Kim Evans
Also governs 2 other charities
Martha Sprackland
MATTHEW COX
Also governs 1 other charity
Nabeela Rasul
Niharika Jain
Rachel Cleverly
Rebecca Joanne Thompson
Robert Drummer
Sarah Georgina Harwood
Susan Helen Bowers
Also governs 1 other charity

Also Known As

  • The Arvon Foundation Limited

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
Report a data issue