THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON FOR IMPROVING NATURAL KNOWLEDGE (COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE ROYAL SOCIETY)
Activities
As described by the charity on the register
The Royal Society has three roles: A learned society; The UK's Academy of Science; And as a funding agency. We- Promote science and its benefits- Recognise excellence in science- Support outstanding science- Provide scientific advice for policy- Foster international and global cooperation- Provide education and public engagement
Latest income
£158m
Expenditure
£152m
Financial year end
2025-03-31
Income & spending history
As reported to the Charity Commission, by financial year end
| Year end | Income | Expenditure | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-03-31 | £136m | £138m | |
| 2022-03-31 | £125m | £128m | |
| 2023-03-31 | £140m | £142m | |
| 2024-03-31 | £396m | £146m | |
| 2025-03-31 | £158m | £152m |
Latest detailed return
Year end 2025-03-31 · consolidated (group) figures
Income mix
| Donations & legacies | £552k |
| Charitable activities | £135m |
| Trading | £40k |
| Investment income | £21.9m |
| Total income | £158m |
Spending
| Charitable spend | £148m |
| Raising funds | £3.1m |
| Grants to institutions | £3.3m |
| Governance | £2.6m |
| Total expenditure | £152m |
Balance sheet
| Reserves | £35.8m |
| Total funds | £614m |
| — restricted | £292m |
| — unrestricted | £93.8m |
| — endowment | £228m |
| Total assets | £614m |
| Cash | £4.4m |
People
| Employees | 291 |
Classification
The charity's own register classification
What it does
- Education/training
- Other Charitable Purposes
Who it helps
- Children/young People
- Elderly/old People
- People With Disabilities
- Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
- Other Defined Groups
- The General Public/mankind
How it works
- Makes Grants To Individuals
- Makes Grants To Organisations
- Provides Other Finance
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
- Provides Services
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Sponsors Or Undertakes Research
- Acts As An Umbrella Or Resource Body
Source: Charity Commission for England and Wales register, 2026-07-28. Detailed figures as filed in the charity's annual return. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.