Wellcome Trust
Notable UK charityAlso known as: Will Charities of Sir Henry S Wellcome (the Museum and Library Charity)
Wellcome exists to improve health by helping great ideas to thrive.We support researchers, we take on big health challenges, we campaign for better science, and we help everyone get involved with science and health research. We are a politically and financially independent foundation.
Activities & Mission
Wellcome exists to improve health by helping great ideas to thrive.We support researchers, we take on big health challenges, we campaign for better science, and we help everyone get involved with science and health research. We are a politically and financially independent foundation.
Grants
Wellcome Trust is a grant-making charity: making grants is its main activity.
- Gives grants to
- organisations and individuals
- Grants paid (2025)
- £1,406,765,721
- Who it helps
- the general public
- What it supports
- education and training, the advancement of health or the saving of lives 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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Claim this listing Learn more about premium profiles See a sample profileAreas 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.
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Country
Region
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 100% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M (sample: 74). How is this calculated?
Higher than 43% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 39% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M. (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.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £589,458,608 | £2,051,212,819 | £1,875,834,221 | £35,739,794,380 | £35,719,522,916 | 2358 / 0 |
| 2024 | £569,497,051 | £1,626,627,348 | £1,453,419,939 | £33,948,257,668 | £33,932,400,000 | 2377 / 0 |
| 2023 | £541,832,807 | £1,660,834,674 | £1,490,289,026 | £33,458,248,218 | £33,441,200,000 | 2314 / 0 |
| 2022 | £502,291,234 | £1,488,848,304 | £1,337,746,403 | £34,601,301,213 | £34,583,800,000 | 2081 / 0 |
| 2021 | £410,257,213 | £1,365,367,666 | £1,179,071,909 | £36,260,562,070 | £36,240,784,149 | 2065 / 0 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about Wellcome Trust
What does Wellcome Trust do?
Wellcome exists to improve health by helping great ideas to thrive.We support researchers, we take on big health challenges, we campaign for better science, and we help everyone get involved with science and health research. We are a politically and financially independent foundation.
How much income did Wellcome Trust report in 2025?
Wellcome Trust reported total income of £589.46m and reported expenditure of £2.05bn for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is Wellcome Trust?
Wellcome Trust has a program ratio of 318.2%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 100% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M (sample of 74 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was Wellcome Trust registered as a charity?
Wellcome Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 4 October 1962 as charity number 210183. It has been registered for 64 years.
Who runs Wellcome Trust?
Wellcome Trust is governed by a board of 1 trustee. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does Wellcome Trust operate?
Wellcome Trust operates across 42 areas, including Australia, Bangladesh, Botswana and 39 others. The full list is shown on its profile.
Is Wellcome Trust a registered charity?
Yes — Wellcome Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 210183.
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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
Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- Will Charities of Sir Henry S Wellcome (the Museum and Library Charity)
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 26 October 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated