Finance Score: -10

Governance Score: 8

Support Score: 3

Liabilities <10%: +3
Excess reserves: -5
Large legacies income: +1
Pension deficit: -1
Multiple Deficits and declines: -5
Fundraising costs high: -3

12+ Trustees: -1
Good trustee age range: +3
Dynamic board: +3
Gender balanced board: +3

Overall weighted support: +3

Overall GiG Score: 1

THE ROYAL AIR FORCE BENEVOLENT FUND

(a) Providing relief and assistance to past and present members of the Royal Air Force and their dependants who are in need as a result of poverty, disability, sickness, infirmity or otherwise.(b) enhancing the morale and well being of serving members of the Royal Air Force(c)Maintaining the RAF war memorial on the Victoria embankment, London.

Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

The charity has received backing from several prominent grant makers recently
This charity has a robust balance sheet
This charity has received considerable income from legacies in recent years
The Board appears to be well diversified in terms of age and gender and dynamic in terms of composition

Regulatory & Governance issues to consider:

Why are there 13 trustees whereas the Charities Commission recommends a maximum of 12?

Financial issues to consider:

This charity has substantial assets and unrestricted reserves of £111,856,000 available, equivalent to 56 months of spending and so may not be able to utilise additional funding
There is a pension deficit of £2,804,000
Income has been volatile and on several occasions in recent years less than spending
Fundraising costs are extremely high relative to funds raised

Financial Data ?

Income & Spending ?

Sources of Income ?

Y/E	Income £k	Spending £k	Surplus/ Deficit £k	Fundraising Cost £k	Total Funds £k	Unrestricted Funds £k	Mths Rsrvs	Staff	Volun- teers
31/12/23	£19,003	£24,133	£-5,130	£4,885	£122,809	£111,856	55.6	129	49
31/12/22	£23,853	£22,484	£1,369	£4,675	£124,121	£113,019	60.3	109	104
31/12/21	£25,528	£22,359	£3,169	£4,399	£121,963	£109,174	58.6	117	95
31/12/20	£19,138	£31,135	£-11,997	£4,892	£109,906	£97,859	37.7	206	142
31/12/19	£21,939	£33,993	£-12,054	£5,358	£122,830	£109,727	38.7	216	33
31/12/18	£22,524	£26,637	£-4,113	£5,305	£124,552	£111,356	50.2	195	0
31/12/17	£27,151	£24,684	£2,467	£5,618	£131,007	£113,199	55	170	0
31/12/16	£23,352	£22,532	£820	£4,577	£123,030	£112,623	60	173	0
31/12/15	£24,214	£22,638	£1,576	£3,733	£123,548	£113,816	60.3	163	0
31/12/14	£21,675	£22,215	£-540	£3,345	£122,850	£113,988	61.6	126	0
31/12/13	£19,253	£21,871	£-2,618	£3,575	£124,339	£116,540	63.9	133	0
31/12/12	£17,301	£25,429	£-8,128	£3,509	£124,576	£118,151	55.8	137	0
31/12/11	£17,910	£29,574	£-11,664	£3,286	£127,114	£121,635	49.4	175	0
31/12/10	£18,372	£27,053	£-8,681	£3,145	£144,733	£139,246	61.8	170	0
31/12/09	£17,689	£24,257	£-6,568	£3,221	£142,357	£137,274	67.9	127	0
31/12/08	£19,054	£22,101	£-3,047	£2,522	£138,438	£133,810	72.7	166	0
31/12/07	£19,166	£21,295	£-2,129	£1,905	£178,293	£172,154	97	154	0
31/12/06	£21,670	£19,936	£1,734	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
31/12/05	£19,750	£20,005	£-255	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
31/12/04	£14,844	£17,162	£-2,317	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a

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Financial Ratios

Fundraising Costs/Relevant Income: 34.3%
Fundraising Costs/Total Spending: 21.6%
Senior Staff Costs/Total Spending: 4%
Highest pay band: £140,000-£150,000
Liabilities/Assets: 2%
Liabilities/Income: 11%
Unrestricted Funds/Total Funds: 91%
Reserves/Spending: 55.6 months
Net Current Assets/Spending: 7 months
Quick Ratio: 3.3

Asset Split ?

Balance Sheet History

Established: 24 years
(54 years as a company)

www.rafbf.org

mail@rafbf.org.uk

020 7580 8343

Charity Commission for England and Wales

Tweets

Listed activities

Accommodation/Housing
Armed Forces/Emergency Service Efficiency
Arts/Culture/Heritage/Science
Disability
Education/Training
Other Charitable Purposes
The Prevention Or Relief Of Poverty

GiG Classification

International poverty relief

How it operates

Acts as an umbrella or resource body
Makes grants to individuals
Makes grants to organisations
Other charitable activities
Provides advocacy/advice/information
Provides buildings/facilities/open space
Provides services

Where it operates

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, France, Germany, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Philippines, Poland, Scotland, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Throughout England And Wales, Turkey, United States, Zimbabwe,

Who it helps

Children/Young People
Elderly/Old People
Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
Other Defined Groups
People With Disabilities

Who supports them? ?

Donations from Grant Makers ?

We have details on the following donations. Multi-year donations are allocated to the years for which they are earmarked.

Specific Donations

Amount	When Months	To be used for
The Grocers' Charity - 2021 - RAF Benevolent Fund
£1,226	04/02/2021	Supporting the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of current and ex-service people and their families
Ministry of Defence - Covid-19 Impact Fund
£158,500	21/07/2020	To maintain services and activities where organisations' finances had been impacted by Covid
Ministry of Defence - Financial Assistance/Support
£1,000,000	01/04/2018	Banking fines - Treasury to direct to various Armed Forces causes
Ministry of Defence - Supporting delivery of a public service
£44,825	01/04/2017	The Grant will fund projects that support non-core health, wellbeing and social care needs for older veterans (born before 1 January 1950) including surviving World War 2 veterans, those who undertook National Service and other voluntary enlisted ....more The Grant will fund projects that support non-core health, wellbeing and social care needs for older veterans (born before 1 January 1950) including surviving World War 2 veterans, those who undertook National Service and other voluntary enlisted veterans who may need some focused support in relation to their health and social care needs.The type of projects may include:a) practical support and companionship to improve older veterans wellbeing.b) the provision of services to assist individuals in the completion of personal paperwork.c) projects to build or enhance access to centres where elderly veterans can meet and avoid isolation.d) the promotion of education of aged veterans needs.
Ministry of Defence - Supporting delivery of a public service
£57,221	01/04/2017	The Grant will fund projects that support non-core health, wellbeing and social care needs for older veterans (born before 1 January 1950) including surviving World War 2 veterans, those who undertook National Service and other voluntary enlisted ....more The Grant will fund projects that support non-core health, wellbeing and social care needs for older veterans (born before 1 January 1950) including surviving World War 2 veterans, those who undertook National Service and other voluntary enlisted veterans who may need some focused support in relation to their health and social care needs.The type of projects may include:a) practical support and companionship to improve older veterans wellbeing.b) the provision of services to assist individuals in the completion of personal paperwork.c) projects to build or enhance access to centres where elderly veterans can meet and avoid isolation.d) the promotion of education of aged veterans needs.
Ministry of Defence - Supporting delivery of a public service
£57,918	01/04/2017	The Grant will fund projects that support non-core health, wellbeing and social care needs for older veterans (born before 1 January 1950) including surviving World War 2 veterans, those who undertook National Service and other voluntary enlisted ....more The Grant will fund projects that support non-core health, wellbeing and social care needs for older veterans (born before 1 January 1950) including surviving World War 2 veterans, those who undertook National Service and other voluntary enlisted veterans who may need some focused support in relation to their health and social care needs.The type of projects may include:a) practical support and companionship to improve older veterans wellbeing.b) the provision of services to assist individuals in the completion of personal paperwork.c) projects to build or enhance access to centres where elderly veterans can meet and avoid isolation.d) the promotion of education of aged veterans needs.
Ministry of Defence - Supporting delivery of a public service
£58,221	01/04/2017	The Grant will fund projects that support non-core health, wellbeing and social care needs for older veterans (born before 1 January 1950) including surviving World War 2 veterans, those who undertook National Service and other voluntary enlisted ....more The Grant will fund projects that support non-core health, wellbeing and social care needs for older veterans (born before 1 January 1950) including surviving World War 2 veterans, those who undertook National Service and other voluntary enlisted veterans who may need some focused support in relation to their health and social care needs.The type of projects may include:a) practical support and companionship to improve older veterans wellbeing.b) the provision of services to assist individuals in the completion of personal paperwork.c) projects to build or enhance access to centres where elderly veterans can meet and avoid isolation.d) the promotion of education of aged veterans needs.
Ministry of Defence - Financial Assistance/Support
£2,000,000	01/04/2017	Banking fines - Treasury to direct to various Armed Forces causes.

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Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving

How is it governed?

Trustees (13)

Current Trustees appointed

Gender Split

Age Range of Trustees: 42-77

ALAN FRASER PORTER Appointed: 2024

ALASTAIR IRVINE Appointed: 2020, Occupation: Investment Management

ALISON BENJAMIN Appointed: 2021, Occupation: Director

ALLYSON ARNOLD Appointed: 2021, Occupation: Chief Operating Officer

CLIVE ALAN MARTLAND Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Raf Squadron Leader

DR SOPHIE JOANNE ALLEN Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Director

GRAEME CRAIG Appointed: 2016, Occupation: Managing Director

LADY SUSAN MEREDITH MAYHEW Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Company Director

PATRICK ANTHONY RICHARD AYLMER Appointed: 2021, Occupation: Banker

RACHEL SARAH PRENDERGAST Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Teacher

RICHARD CRYER Appointed: 2021, Occupation: Director (Retired)

RICHARD NICHOLAS DANIEL Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Director

SARAH-JANE LOUISE DAVIS Appointed: 2020, Occupation: Director

Legal constitution

Charity registered in England & Wales on 02/06/2000, number: 1081009
Registered at Companies House on 01/01/1970, number: ZC000201

Gift Aid

Registered with HMRC for Gift Aid

Event History

03/08/2018 - Asset transfer in from THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE SERVICES HEART BENEATH FUND
24/07/2019 - Asset transfer in from FRIENDS OF CLEETHORPES HERITAGE
27/07/2021 - Asset transfer in from ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION SEAHAVEN BRANCH
23/08/2022 - Asset transfer in from SELKIRK NO 2 TRUST
08/12/2023 - Asset transfer in from OUT OF THE BLUE FOUNDATION
Linked charity: THE ROYAL AIR FORCE BENEVOLENT FUND EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND
Linked charity: THE ROYAL AIR FORCE BENEVOLENT FUND EDUCATIONAL EXPENDABLE FUND
Linked charity: THE NEWTON DRIVER MEMORIAL FUND
Linked charity: DOUGLAS TURNER BENEFACTION
Linked charity: FRERE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Linked charity: FULMER FUND
Linked charity: MRS H M JERHAM MEMORIAL FUND
Linked charity: FRANCIS MCNALLY EDUCATION FUND
Linked charity: THE ROYAL AIR FORCE OFFICERS' WIVES' FUND
Linked charity: THE GULF TRUST (RAF)
Linked charity: HECTOR PILLING RAF MEMORIAL FUND

Policies in force

Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
Complaints handling
Complaints policy and procedures
Conflicting interests
Financial reserves policy and procedures
Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
Internal risk management policy and procedures
Investing charity funds policy and procedures
Investment
Paying staff
Risk management
Safeguarding policy and procedures
Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
Social media policy and procedures
Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
Trustee expenses policy and procedures
Volunteer management

Filing Record

20 returns made; all on time

Recent reorganisation events:

Asset transfer in from ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION SEAHAVEN BRANCH on 27/07/2021
Asset transfer in from SELKIRK NO 2 TRUST on 23/08/2022
Asset transfer in from OUT OF THE BLUE FOUNDATION on 08/12/2023

Main office

ROYAL AIR FORCE BENEVOLENT FUND
67 PORTLAND PLACE
LONDON
W1B 1AR

Objectives

A) THE MAINTENANCE, UPKEEP AND REPAIR OF THE WAR MEMORIAL KNOWN AS THE RAF MEMORIAL SITUATED AT THE VICTORIA EMBANKMENT, LONDON; ANDB) THE RELIEF AND ASSISTANCE BY ALL AVAILABLE MEANS OF ALL OR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CLASSES OF BENEFICIARIES WHO ARE IN NEED OF SUCH RELIEF OR ASSISTANCE BY REASON OF POVERTY, DISABILITY, SICKNESS, INFIRMITY OR OTHERWISE, NAMELY:-I) ALL PERSONS OF ALL RANKS WHO ARE OR HAVE OR SHALL HAVE BEEN AT ANY TIME OR SHALL BE AT ANY TIME MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE, THE ROYAL AUXILIARY AIR FORCE, THE ROYAL AIR FORCE RESERVES, THE WOMEN'S ROYAL AIR FORCE, THE WOMEN'S AUXILIARY AIR FORCE OR THE AIR FORCE OR AUXILIARY AIR FORCE OF ANY PRESENT OR FORMER COLONY DOMINION OR DEPENDENT TERRITORY OF GREAT BRITAIN OR MEMBERS OF ANY FORMER ORGANISATION THE PLACE OF WHICH HAS SUBSTANTIALLY BEEN TAKEN BY THE SAID ORGANISATIONS OR ANY OF THEM, OR MEMBERS OF ANY FUTURE ORGANISATIONS WHICH HEREAFTER SHALL SUBSTANTIALLY TAKE THE PLACE OF THE SAID ORGANISATIONS OR ANY OF THEM; ANDII) ALL PERSONS WHO SHALL AT ANY TIME HAVE BEEN OR BE WIDOWS, WIDOWERS, CHILDREN OR OTHER DEPENDANTS OF ANY OF THE PERSONS ABOVE REFERRED TO; AND(C) THE PROMOTION OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE PRINCIPALLY BY, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROVIDING SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE BY ANY MEANS TO ANY PERSONS WHO ARE SERVING IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE AND THEIR DEPENDANTS WITH A VIEW TO ENHANCING THE MORALE AND WELL BEING OF SERVING MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE.

Defined Area of Benefit:

NOT DEFINED.

Data Sources

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