The Clothworkers' Foundation

To make grants to UK frontline charities to support projects or programmes in defined areas of need.

Activities & Mission

To make grants to UK frontline charities to support projects or programmes in defined areas of need.

Grants

The Clothworkers' Foundation is a grant-making charity: making grants is its main activity.

Gives grants to: organisations
Grants paid (2025): £10,364,000
Who it helps: other charities or voluntary bodies
What it supports: general charitable purposes

As recorded with the Charity Commission. To ask about applying, use the contact details and check the trustees and latest accounts below.

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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

£10,654,000

Latest Expenditure

£12,608,000

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 110.7%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 89% of UK Charitable activities charities with income over £10M (sample: 92). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 97.5%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 67% of UK Charitable activities charities with income over £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 2.7%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 60% of UK Charitable activities charities with income over £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £1,356,000

Charitable Activities £0

Other Trading £0

Investments £9,741,000

Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £12,289,000

Raising Funds £319,000

Governance £20,000

Grants to Institutions £10,364,000

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.

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.

The Commission record shows these related events on the register:

Asset transfer in in 2013 — The Clothworkers' Charity for Education (organisation 4008005)
Asset transfer in in 2013 — The Clothworkers' Foundation Common Investment Fund (organisation 259736)

Financial Year	Income	Expenditure	Charitable Spending	Net Assets	Reserves	Staff
2025	£10,654,000	£12,608,000	£12,289,000	£424,655,000	£1,613,000	0 / 0
2024	£12,329,000	£12,607,000	£12,324,000	£380,102,000	£2,021,000	0 / 0
2023	£28,445,000	£10,740,000	£10,497,000	£350,556,000	£1,054,000	0 / 0
2022	£80,072,239	£8,687,258	£8,351,774	£317,656,403	£854,611	0 / 0
2021	£11,642,869	£7,988,224	£7,785,817	£265,286,938	£813,854	0 / 0

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The Clothworkers' Foundation

What does The Clothworkers' Foundation do?

To make grants to UK frontline charities to support projects or programmes in defined areas of need.

How much income did The Clothworkers' Foundation report in 2025?

The Clothworkers' Foundation reported total income of £10.65m and reported expenditure of £12.61m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is The Clothworkers' Foundation?

The Clothworkers' Foundation has a program ratio of 110.7%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 89% of UK Charitable activities charities with income over £10M (sample of 92 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was The Clothworkers' Foundation registered as a charity?

The Clothworkers' Foundation was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 26 July 1977 as charity number 274100. It has been registered for 49 years.

Who runs The Clothworkers' Foundation?

The Clothworkers' Foundation is governed by a board of 15 trustees. The chair of trustees is SUSANNA PRIESTLEY O'LEARY. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The Clothworkers' Foundation operate?

The Clothworkers' Foundation operates across 3 areas: Northern Ireland, Scotland and England And Wales.

Is The Clothworkers' Foundation a registered charity?

Yes — The Clothworkers' Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 274100.