The Oxford Literary Festival
The objective of the charity is to advance education by promoting and providing opportunities for the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of literature and the arts, in particular through the promotion and running of a literary festival in Oxford.
Activities & Mission
The objective of the charity is to advance education by promoting and providing opportunities for the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of literature and the arts, in particular through the promotion and running of a literary festival in Oxford.
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.
Region
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 84% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample: 962). How is this calculated?
Higher than 100% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 86% of UK Arts 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 2024.
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.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | £505,242 | £539,418 | £539,418 | -£373,619 | £0 | 0 / 25 |
| 2023 | £550,294 | £539,584 | £539,584 | -£339,442 | £0 | 2 / 25 |
| 2022 | £420,151 | £443,297 | 0 / 25 | |||
| 2021 | £28,623 | £84,110 | 0 / 6 | |||
| 2020 | £124,386 | £227,786 | 0 / 6 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about The Oxford Literary Festival
What does The Oxford Literary Festival do?
The objective of the charity is to advance education by promoting and providing opportunities for the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of literature and the arts, in particular through the promotion and running of a literary festival in Oxford.
How much income did The Oxford Literary Festival report in 2024?
The Oxford Literary Festival reported total income of £505k and reported expenditure of £539k for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is The Oxford Literary Festival?
The Oxford Literary Festival has a program ratio of 106.8%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 84% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample of 962 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was The Oxford Literary Festival registered as a charity?
The Oxford Literary Festival was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 26 March 2009 as charity number 1128820. It has been registered for 17 years.
Who runs The Oxford Literary Festival?
The Oxford Literary Festival is governed by a board of 8 trustees. The chair of trustees is Jarl Michael Severn. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does The Oxford Literary Festival operate?
The Oxford Literary Festival operates in England And Wales, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.
Is The Oxford Literary Festival a registered charity?
Yes — The Oxford Literary Festival is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1128820.
Details
First Floor
Park Central
40-41 Park End Street
OXFORD
Registry Information
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Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.
Trustees
Also governs 1 other charity
Sectors & Classifications
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated