The Royal Literary Fund

Also known as: Rlf

Helps published authors or performed playwrights of several works who are in financial difficulties through grants and pensions. Also runs various activities for the "advancement of public education".

Email Charity

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

Northern Ireland Scotland

Region

England And Wales

Financial Information

Latest Income

£4,268,586

Latest Expenditure

£9,135,868

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 185.9%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 97% of UK Charitable activities charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 1335). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 86.9%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 23% of UK Charitable activities charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 13.9%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 21% of UK Charitable activities 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 £381,245

Charitable Activities £0

Other Trading £0

Investments £3,546,752

Other Income £340,589

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £7,935,287

Raising Funds £1,200,581

Governance £64,746

Grants to Institutions £0

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.

Financial Year	Income	Expenditure	Charitable Spending	Net Assets	Reserves	Staff
2025	£4,268,586	£9,135,868	£7,935,287	£191,719,859	£191,556,917	12 / 0
2024	£4,220,139	£8,328,366	£7,140,896	£194,223,578	£236,900	11 / 0
2023	£3,160,852	£7,816,992	£6,552,303	£183,978,091	£1,894,125	9 / 0
2022	£4,716,593	£6,737,678	£5,480,050	£195,699,786	£5,420,000	7 / 0
2021	£3,051,218	£6,648,232	£5,486,601	£181,712,910	£3,500,000	5 / 0

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The Royal Literary Fund

What does The Royal Literary Fund do?

How much income did The Royal Literary Fund report in 2025?

The Royal Literary Fund reported total income of £4.27m and reported expenditure of £9.14m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is The Royal Literary Fund?

The Royal Literary Fund has a program ratio of 185.9%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 97% of UK Charitable activities charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 1335 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was The Royal Literary Fund registered as a charity?

The Royal Literary Fund was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 15 April 1964 as charity number 219952. It has been registered for 62 years.

Who runs The Royal Literary Fund?

The Royal Literary Fund is governed by a board of 21 trustees. The chair of trustees is Sir Ian Craig Blatchford. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The Royal Literary Fund operate?

The Royal Literary Fund operates across 3 areas: Northern Ireland, Scotland and England And Wales.

Is The Royal Literary Fund a registered charity?

Yes — The Royal Literary Fund is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 219952.