The Message Trust

Also known as: Community Grocery, The Message, The Message Community Centre

The Message Trust is a worldwide movement with a passion to share the love of Jesus Christ in words and actions with the hardest-to-reach young people and vulnerable adults, through creative mission, community transformation, Christ-centred enterprise and programmes working with those who are poor.

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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

Scotland

Region

England And Wales

Financial Information

Latest Income

£9,932,468

Latest Expenditure

£10,248,228

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 100.4%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 73% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 3130). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 97.3%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 45% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 2.9%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 46% of UK Beneficiary group 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 £7,194,824

Charitable Activities £2,638,538

Other Trading £33,196

Investments £65,910

Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £9,972,585

Raising Funds £275,643

Governance £21,453

Grants to Institutions £219,036

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.

Financial Year	Income	Expenditure	Charitable Spending	Net Assets	Reserves	Staff
2024	£9,932,468	£10,248,228	£9,972,585	£7,274,351	£647,925	185 / 375
2023	£10,694,114	£10,500,610	£10,314,484	£7,397,091	£676,968	181 / 625
2022	£8,585,273	£10,573,055	£9,284,877	£7,194,621	£478,514	184 / 1000
2021	£7,569,659	£7,078,648	£6,731,436	£8,561,295	£8,561,295	137 / 600
2020	£5,982,036	£6,108,888	£5,887,467	£7,199,225	£803,551	131 / 620

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The Message Trust

What does The Message Trust do?

How much income did The Message Trust report in 2024?

The Message Trust reported total income of £9.93m and reported expenditure of £10.25m for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is The Message Trust?

The Message Trust has a program ratio of 100.4%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 73% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 3130 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was The Message Trust registered as a charity?

The Message Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 6 July 2000 as charity number 1081467. It has been registered for 26 years.

Who runs The Message Trust?

The Message Trust is governed by a board of 6 trustees. The chair of trustees is GORDON HAYNES. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The Message Trust operate?

The Message Trust operates across 2 areas: Scotland and England And Wales.

Is The Message Trust a registered charity?

Yes — The Message Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1081467.