The Royal Society Of Literature Of The United Kingdom
Also known as: The Rsl
The Royal Society of Literature celebrates and nurtures all that is best in British literature, past and present. We are the UK's charity for the advancement of literature. We act as a voice for the value of literature, engage people in literature, and honour and encourage writers. Activities include public events, awards and prizes, campaigns and young people's outreach.
Activities & Mission
The Royal Society of Literature celebrates and nurtures all that is best in British literature, past and present. We are the UK's charity for the advancement of literature. We act as a voice for the value of literature, engage people in literature, and honour and encourage writers. Activities include public events, awards and prizes, campaigns and young people's outreach.
Grants
The Royal Society Of Literature Of The United Kingdom makes grants as part of its work.
- Gives grants to
- individuals
- Total spending (2025)
- £623,106
- Only charities with income over £500,000 file a separate grants figure.
- Who it helps
- children and young people, elderly people, people with disabilities, people of a particular ethnic or racial origin, other defined groups and the general public
- What it supports
- education and training and arts, culture, heritage, or science
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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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 14% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample: 256). How is this calculated?
Higher than 39% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 27% 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 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 this related event on the register:
- Asset transfer in in 2013 — Brookleaze Trust (organisation 249539)
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £217,444 | £623,106 | 0 / 5 | |||
| 2024 | £236,467 | £734,644 | 0 / 20 | |||
| 2023 | £254,690 | £576,937 | 0 / 20 | |||
| 2022 | £1,248,913 | £512,001 | £482,302 | £4,270,363 | £38,286 | 4 / 20 |
| 2021 | £290,353 | £463,132 | 0 / 20 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about The Royal Society Of Literature Of The United Kingdom
What does The Royal Society Of Literature Of The United Kingdom do?
The Royal Society of Literature celebrates and nurtures all that is best in British literature, past and present. We are the UK's charity for the advancement of literature. We act as a voice for the value of literature, engage people in literature, and honour and encourage writers. Activities include public events, awards and prizes, campaigns and young people's outreach.
How much income did The Royal Society Of Literature Of The United Kingdom report in 2025?
The Royal Society Of Literature Of The United Kingdom reported total income of £217k and reported expenditure of £623k for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is The Royal Society Of Literature Of The United Kingdom?
The Royal Society Of Literature Of The United Kingdom has a program ratio of 38.6%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 14% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample of 256 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was The Royal Society Of Literature Of The United Kingdom registered as a charity?
The Royal Society Of Literature Of The United Kingdom was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 29 January 1963 as charity number 213962. It has been registered for 63 years.
Who runs The Royal Society Of Literature Of The United Kingdom?
The Royal Society Of Literature Of The United Kingdom is governed by a board of 13 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does The Royal Society Of Literature Of The United Kingdom operate?
The Royal Society Of Literature Of The United Kingdom operates across 3 areas: Ireland, Scotland and England And Wales.
Is The Royal Society Of Literature Of The United Kingdom a registered charity?
Yes — The Royal Society Of Literature Of The United Kingdom is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 213962.
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Registry Information
Other notable Arts charities
Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.
Trustees
Also governs 1 other charity
Also governs 2 other charities
Also governs 1 other charity
Also governs 1 other charity
Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- The Rsl
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 9 November 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated