The Koestler Trust
Also known as: Koestler Arts
The Koestler Trust is the UK's leading charity for arts in prisons. Through awards, feedback, mentoring, outreach and involvement, it plays a unique national role in encouraging offenders, secure psychiatric patients and immigration detainees to take part in the arts, often transforming their lives. The Trust then brings prison arts to the public through exhibitions, publications and events.
Activities & Mission
The Koestler Trust is the UK's leading charity for arts in prisons. Through awards, feedback, mentoring, outreach and involvement, it plays a unique national role in encouraging offenders, secure psychiatric patients and immigration detainees to take part in the arts, often transforming their lives. The Trust then brings prison arts to the public through exhibitions, publications and events.
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
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 45% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £100K to £1M (sample: 3459). How is this calculated?
Higher than 22% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £100K to £1M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 17% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £100K to £1M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
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 | £964,272 | £961,751 | £843,074 | £1,844,951 | £259,512 | 14 / 204 |
| 2024 | £813,554 | £849,148 | £744,492 | £1,842,430 | £254,883 | 17 / 169 |
| 2023 | £1,436,714 | £995,933 | £859,876 | £1,878,024 | £537,229 | 21 / 121 |
| 2022 | £1,259,415 | £882,024 | £757,662 | £1,437,243 | £564,212 | 21 / 73 |
| 2021 | £1,406,892 | £761,377 | £640,967 | £1,059,852 | £171,307 | 17 / 73 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about The Koestler Trust
What does The Koestler Trust do?
The Koestler Trust is the UK's leading charity for arts in prisons. Through awards, feedback, mentoring, outreach and involvement, it plays a unique national role in encouraging offenders, secure psychiatric patients and immigration detainees to take part in the arts, often transforming their lives. The Trust then brings prison arts to the public through exhibitions, publications and events.
How much income did The Koestler Trust report in 2025?
The Koestler Trust reported total income of £964k and reported expenditure of £962k for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is The Koestler Trust?
The Koestler Trust has a program ratio of 87.4%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 45% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £100K to £1M (sample of 3459 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was The Koestler Trust registered as a charity?
The Koestler Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 6 September 2004 as charity number 1105759. It has been registered for 22 years.
Who runs The Koestler Trust?
The Koestler Trust is governed by a board of 11 trustees. The chair of trustees is SIR RICHARD NICHOLAS HEATON KCB. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does The Koestler Trust operate?
The Koestler Trust operates across 2 areas: Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Is The Koestler Trust a registered charity?
Yes — The Koestler Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1105759.
Details
LONDON
W12 0TX
Registry Information
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Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- Koestler Arts
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated