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The Society Of St Columban For Foreign Missions

Also known as: Columban Fathers, Missionary Society of St Columban, The Columban Fathers Region of Britain

We are a Roman Catholic missionary society which supports Christian communities and works to spread the Christian message at home and abroad. We seek to relieve poverty, promote dialogue and reconciliation between different peoples, attend to the needs of vulnerable groups, counteract the causes and adverse effects of the climate crisis and promote and protect biodiversity.

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Activities & Mission

We are a Roman Catholic missionary society which supports Christian communities and works to spread the Christian message at home and abroad. We seek to relieve poverty, promote dialogue and reconciliation between different peoples, attend to the needs of vulnerable groups, counteract the causes and adverse effects of the climate crisis and promote and protect biodiversity.

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.

Show all 17 areas of operation

Financial Information

Latest Income
£4,360,563
Latest Expenditure
£3,281,341

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 67.9%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 26% of UK Religion charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 960). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 90.3%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 30% of UK Religion charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 10.3%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 26% of UK Religion 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 £3,546,331
Charitable Activities £41,395
Other Trading £0
Investments £760,531
Other Income £12,306

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £2,962,656
Raising Funds £318,685
Governance £19,504
Grants to Institutions £24,643
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 YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2025
£4,360,563
£3,281,341£2,962,656£23,574,741£9,033,59220 / 12
2024
£4,577,317
£3,368,863£3,066,801£22,470,821£7,850,08520 / 10
2023
£3,094,448
£1,580,899£1,319,563£21,076,547£6,171,22019 / 6
2022
£3,745,927
£3,641,490£3,356,572£19,834,093£18,284,17220 / 6
2021
£3,310,292
£3,281,231£3,055,516£19,588,481£4,305,62917 / 0

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The Society Of St Columban For Foreign Missions

What does The Society Of St Columban For Foreign Missions do?

We are a Roman Catholic missionary society which supports Christian communities and works to spread the Christian message at home and abroad. We seek to relieve poverty, promote dialogue and reconciliation between different peoples, attend to the needs of vulnerable groups, counteract the causes and adverse effects of the climate crisis and promote and protect biodiversity.

How much income did The Society Of St Columban For Foreign Missions report in 2025?

The Society Of St Columban For Foreign Missions reported total income of £4.36m and reported expenditure of £3.28m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is The Society Of St Columban For Foreign Missions?

The Society Of St Columban For Foreign Missions has a program ratio of 67.9%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 26% of UK Religion charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 960 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was The Society Of St Columban For Foreign Missions registered as a charity?

The Society Of St Columban For Foreign Missions was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 26 July 1963 as charity number 221594. It has been registered for 63 years.

Who runs The Society Of St Columban For Foreign Missions?

The Society Of St Columban For Foreign Missions is governed by a board of 4 trustees. The chair of trustees is Rev John Boles. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The Society Of St Columban For Foreign Missions operate?

The Society Of St Columban For Foreign Missions operates across 17 areas, including Australia, Burma, Chile and 14 others. The full list is shown on its profile.

Is The Society Of St Columban For Foreign Missions a registered charity?

Yes — The Society Of St Columban For Foreign Missions is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 221594.

Details

Address
Columban Fathers
St. Columbans
Widney Manor Road
Knowle
Solihull
B93 9AB
Registration Date
26 July 1963
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
221594
Charity Number
221594

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Trustees

Rev John Boles Chair
Rev Patrick Aloysius O'Beirne
Rev Timothy James Mulroy
REVEREND DENIS ALAN VINCENT CARTER SSC

Also Known As

  • Columban Fathers
  • Missionary Society of St Columban
  • The Columban Fathers Region of Britain

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
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