Finance Score: 3

Governance Score: 5

Support Score: 8

Liabilities <10%: +3
Excess liquidity: -1
Income diversified: +3
Fundraising costs high: -2

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

Overall weighted support: +8

Overall GiG Score: 16

DORSET WILDLIFE TRUST

Our mission is to champion wildlife and natural places, to engage and inspire people and to promote sustainable living. We are working to conserve and enhance Dorset's rich and varied wildlife, delivering conservation gains through our network of nature reserves and wildlife sites and by engaging with communities, working with landowners, farmers, local authorities, business and young people.

Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

This charity has a robust balance sheet
Income generation is well diversified
A significant proportion of recent income was derived from major grant makers including the Government
The Board appears to be well diversified in terms of age 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:

Liquidity appeared to be in excess of CC guidelines at the latest year end
Fundraising costs are 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
31/03/23		£5,097	£4,171	£926	£999	£16,616	£6,121	17.6	71	471
31/03/22		£7,195	£3,231	£3,964	£807	£15,825	£5,070	18.8	60	462
31/03/21		£3,497	£2,700	£797	£694	£11,758	£4,647	20.7	53	105
31/03/20		£3,217	£3,174	£43	£846	£10,576	£3,812	14.4	65	1,200
31/03/19		£3,342	£3,615	£-273	£885	£10,558	£3,898	12.9	71	1,200
31/03/18		£3,243	£3,520	£-277	£849	£10,828	£4,185	14.3	54	0
31/03/17		£3,301	£3,593	£-292	£739	£11,170	£4,316	14.4	59	0
31/03/16		£3,704	£3,418	£286	£757	£11,247	£4,322	15.2	63	0
31/03/15		£4,039	£3,536	£503	£722	£11,036	£3,945	13.4	61	0
31/03/14		£4,801	£3,851	£950	£736	£10,457	£3,859	12	66	0
31/03/13		£4,733	£3,287	£1,446	£845	£9,439	£3,750	13.7	65	0
31/03/12		£4,207	£3,245	£962	£984	£7,828	£2,849	10.5	65	0
31/03/11		£3,077	£2,710	£367	£802	£6,857	£2,769	12.3	65	0
31/03/10		£3,545	£2,559	£986	£684	£6,034	£2,592	12.2	59	0
31/03/09		£2,857	£2,714	£143	£631	£4,964	£2,493	11	54	0
31/03/08		£2,458	£2,121	£337	£552	£4,964	£2,599	14.7	50	0
31/03/07	*	£2,027	£1,751	£276	£472	£4,721	£2,489	17.1	45	0
31/03/06		£1,826	£1,785	£41	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
31/03/05	*	£1,436	£1,506	£-71	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
31/03/04		£1,300	£1,282	£17	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a

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Financial Ratios

Fundraising Costs/Relevant Income: 21.8%
Fundraising Costs/Total Spending: 24.8%
Senior Staff Costs/Total Spending: 2%
Highest pay band: £60,000-£70,000
Liabilities/Assets: 7%
Liabilities/Income: 24%
Unrestricted Funds/Total Funds: 37%
Reserves/Spending: 17.6 months
Net Current Assets/Spending: 5 months
Quick Ratio: 1.2

Asset Split ?

Balance Sheet History

Established: 63 years

www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

mail@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

01305264620

Charity Commission for England and Wales

Tweets

Listed activities

Education/Training
Environment/Conservation/Heritage
General Charitable Purposes

GiG Classification

Land or water management

How it operates

Other charitable activities
Provides advocacy/advice/information
Provides buildings/facilities/open space
Provides human resources

Where it operates

Dorset,

Who it helps

The General Public/Mankind

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.

Major supporters in last 5 years

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs	£331,331
National Lottery Heritage Fund	£203,200
Quartet Community Foundation	£80,000

Specific Donations

Amount	When Months	To be used for
Quartet Community Foundation - Dorset Wild Rivers
£20,000	02/05/2023	This grant is from Wessex Water’s Partners programme, as directed by the donor towards the restoration of river habitats and wetlands in Dorset, the Dorset Wild Rivers project. It is Year 4 of 5 year funding.
Quartet Community Foundation - Dorset Wild Rivers
£20,000	04/05/2022	A donor directed grant towards the restoration of river habitats and wetlands in Dorset, the Dorset Wild Rivers project.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - RPA Simplified Countryside Stewardship
£9,682	01/04/2022	The main priority for Countryside Stewardship is to protect and enhance the natural environment, in particular: increased biodiversity; improved habitat and expanded woodland areas; improved water quality; improved air quality. Other outcomes ....more The main priority for Countryside Stewardship is to protect and enhance the natural environment, in particular: increased biodiversity; improved habitat and expanded woodland areas; improved water quality; improved air quality. Other outcomes supported are: protection against flooding and coastal erosion; maintaining the historic environment; improved landscape character; climate change adaptation and mitigation. Countryside Stewardship supports Defras 25 Year Environment Plan for our country to be the healthiest, most beautiful place in the world to live, work and bring up a family. It also supports Defras Strategic Objective of a cleaner, healthier environment, benefitting people and the economy. Countryside Stewardship gives incentives for land managers to look after the environment and is made up of the following elements: Higher Tier agreements for land that requires more complex management tailored to the individual site and now includes woodland maintenance; Mid Tier agreements that provide a range of options and capital items that together help to deliver a broad range of environmental benefits; four Wildlife Offers that provide a simpler set of options to help improve the wildlife on farms; Capital Grants that provide grants for boundaries, trees and orchards, water quality and air quality; Woodland Management Plan grant to help create a UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) compliant 10-year woodland management plan; Woodland Tree Health grant to help restore and improve tree health; Facilitation Fund which supports individuals who bring together groups of farmers, foresters and land managers to improve the environmental outcomes in their area; Protection and Infrastructure grant which provides grants for woodland infrastructure.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - WEIF1901 22/23-Dorset
£15,000	01/04/2022	The Water Environment Improvement Fund (WEIF) grant is to support the maintenance of partnerships across Englands catchments, primarily to deliver a catchment based approach to water, land and flood management. Partnerships need to consider the ....more The Water Environment Improvement Fund (WEIF) grant is to support the maintenance of partnerships across Englands catchments, primarily to deliver a catchment based approach to water, land and flood management. Partnerships need to consider the targets of the 25 year environment plan, including: clean and plentiful water, thriving plants and wildlife, using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently, enhancing beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment and mitigating and adapting to climate change. This focus will include actions to deliver improvements to the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England & Wales) Regulations 2017 objectives, climate crisis, biodiversity crisis, flood risk, coastal erosion, growing population, plastics and land management delivered through an integrated catchment approach. Managing the water environment (including rivers, lakes, groundwater, estuaries and the sea) can be very complex and requires balancing the priorities and needs of multiple water users, landowners, and organisations with differing roles and responsibilities considering how to maximise natural capital and net gain. Individual grant values range from £3,250 for sub-catchments to £250,000 for the Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) National Support Group (NSG).
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Environmental Stewardship Transferred to DEFRA NSA P2
£2,678	01/04/2022	This measure covers farm and business development grants made under Countryside Productivity and ESIF Growth Programme. Grants are made in two instalments 80% of the total paid following confirmation of a successful bid and remainder paid during ....more This measure covers farm and business development grants made under Countryside Productivity and ESIF Growth Programme. Grants are made in two instalments 80% of the total paid following confirmation of a successful bid and remainder paid during final year of implementing the business plan. Payment is subject to correct implementation of the business plan. This measure supports development and creation of rural micro / small businesses and farm diversification activity where the investments benefit the wider rural economy. RPA administers for measures in England.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Countryside Stewardship Transferred to DEFRA NSA P2
£191,516	01/04/2022	This measure covers grant funding for basic services and village renewal in rural areas under Countryside Productivity and ESIF Growth Programme Small / micro rural businesses, rural community groups, and any public / private entities working in ....more This measure covers grant funding for basic services and village renewal in rural areas under Countryside Productivity and ESIF Growth Programme Small / micro rural businesses, rural community groups, and any public / private entities working in partnership with those community groups can apply for funding. The measure aims to develop the economies of rural communities and their infrastructure such as community buildings, public spaces and cultural, tourism and heritage amenities. Investments should enhance landscape quality and help meet challenges of rural communities relating to distance, population scarcity, aging, social isolation and market structure. Measure is also used to encourage visits to farms for educational purposes and renovation / maintenance of historic farm buildings. RPA administers for measures in England.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - PGW 0715-CF1978-Hooke Project, 2122-33K, 2223-25.6K
£25,302	01/04/2022	Partnership Grants for England (PG) is a payment mechanism enabling us to provide capital and revenue grants to third sector organisations for projects which protect and enhance the water environment
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - RPA Simplified Countryside Stewardship
£5,600	01/04/2022	The main priority for Countryside Stewardship is to protect and enhance the natural environment, in particular: increased biodiversity; improved habitat and expanded woodland areas; improved water quality; improved air quality. Other outcomes ....more The main priority for Countryside Stewardship is to protect and enhance the natural environment, in particular: increased biodiversity; improved habitat and expanded woodland areas; improved water quality; improved air quality. Other outcomes supported are: protection against flooding and coastal erosion; maintaining the historic environment; improved landscape character; climate change adaptation and mitigation. Countryside Stewardship supports Defras 25 Year Environment Plan for our country to be the healthiest, most beautiful place in the world to live, work and bring up a family. It also supports Defras Strategic Objective of a cleaner, healthier environment, benefitting people and the economy. Countryside Stewardship gives incentives for land managers to look after the environment and is made up of the following elements: Higher Tier agreements for land that requires more complex management tailored to the individual site and now includes woodland maintenance; Mid Tier agreements that provide a range of options and capital items that together help to deliver a broad range of environmental benefits; four Wildlife Offers that provide a simpler set of options to help improve the wildlife on farms; Capital Grants that provide grants for boundaries, trees and orchards, water quality and air quality; Woodland Management Plan grant to help create a UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) compliant 10-year woodland management plan; Woodland Tree Health grant to help restore and improve tree health; Facilitation Fund which supports individuals who bring together groups of farmers, foresters and land managers to improve the environmental outcomes in their area; Protection and Infrastructure grant which provides grants for woodland infrastructure.
Quartet Community Foundation - Dorset Wild Rivers
£20,000	15/04/2021	Towards the restoration of river habitats and wetlands in Dorset
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - PEA0023-CF993 - Ringwood Forest mire
£14,523	16/11/2020	The purpose of the funding is to achieve 1,756.75ha of peat restoration in 2020/21 as a contribution towards the delivery of the Nature for Climate Funds target for 35,000 ha of peat restoration by March 2025
Quartet Community Foundation - Dorset Wild Rivers
£20,000	20/10/2020	Towards the restoration of river habitats and wetlands in Dorset
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Grant to Dorset Wildlife Trust
£127,200	03/08/2020	Covid-19: Dorset Wildlife Trust
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - WEIF1901-20/21 - Dorset
£15,000	15/05/2020	Defras Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) Policy published in June 2013, defined a framework to encourage the adaptation of an integrated catchment based approach to improving the quality of our water environment. Defra has supported civil society ....more Defras Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) Policy published in June 2013, defined a framework to encourage the adaptation of an integrated catchment based approach to improving the quality of our water environment. Defra has supported civil society organisations to establish and maintain partnerships across Englands catchments.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - M10 - Agri-environment- Climate Exchq
£8,245	01/04/2020	This measure is the primary Agri-environment-climate funding for England in delivering the Rural Development programme environmental land management priorities and builds on the agri-environment Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship ....more This measure is the primary Agri-environment-climate funding for England in delivering the Rural Development programme environmental land management priorities and builds on the agri-environment Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship schemes offered under the previous RD programme. The measure funds activities intended to deliver environmental land management priorities contributing to Englands Biodiversity 2020 goals and legal obligations under the Habitats, Birds and Water Framework Directives and soil commitments made in the Natural Environment White Paper and increase resilience of wildlife, habitats and ecosystems to climate change. Funding is paid according to the payment rate for each option included in the individual agreement, and the area/length/number of the commitment selected and is based on income foregone and additional costs. Agreements can be 5 year multi annual commitments with the option of annual extensions for a further two years. 10 year commitments or longer will be offered in cases where an exception is clearly justified. RPA administers for measures in England.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - PGW0565-CF945 - Win Win 2021
£3,078	01/04/2020	Partnership Grants for England (PG) is a payment mechanism enabling us to provide capital and revenue grants to third sector organisations for projects which protect and enhance the water environment
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - PGW0571-CF959 - Corfe River 2021
£15,850	01/04/2020	Partnership Grants for England (PG) is a payment mechanism enabling us to provide capital and revenue grants to third sector organisations for projects which protect and enhance the water environment
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - PGW0609-CF988 - West Dorset Rivers & Coastal streams
£16,078	01/04/2020	Partnership Grants for England (PG) is a payment mechanism enabling us to provide capital and revenue grants to third sector organisations for projects which protect and enhance the water environment
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - PGW0618-CF992 - Hooke project
£8,780	01/04/2020	Partnership Grants for England (PG) is a payment mechanism enabling us to provide capital and revenue grants to third sector organisations for projects which protect and enhance the water environment
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Grant to Dorset Wildlife Trust
£76,000	05/02/2020	Explore West Dorset
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Win win project
£9,994	01/04/2019	Partnership Grants for England (PG) is a payment mechanism enabling us to provide capital and revenue grants to third sector organisations for projects which protect and enhance the water environment
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Corfe River Project
£13,484	01/04/2019	Partnership Grants for England (PG) is a payment mechanism enabling us to provide capital and revenue grants to third sector organisations for projects which protect and enhance the water environment
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - WEIF1901-19/20 (DORSET) WFD CRF GRANT PAYMENTS TO CHARITIES
£15,000	01/04/2019	Water Environment Improvement Fund - Catchment Partnership Action Fund (CPAF) 2019/20
Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government - CG COASTAL COMMUNITIES
£21,275	01/04/2019	The UK coastline plays a vital role in the economy, history and culture of our country. The government is helping coastal communities flourish and strengthen their appeal as places to live, work and visit.
National Lottery Community Fund - Urban Green - healthy places, healthy people
£173,953	30/01/2019 24	The project will enable communities to transform local open spaces into vibrant green spaces that contribute to the health, wellbeing and quality of life of local people. Five new community greenspace projects in Poole and Bournemouth will be ....more The project will enable communities to transform local open spaces into vibrant green spaces that contribute to the health, wellbeing and quality of life of local people. Five new community greenspace projects in Poole and Bournemouth will be created.These will be planned and delivered by local community groups and volunteers working closely with the staff from the organisation.
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Grant to Dorset Wildlife Trust
£61,900	09/01/2019	Gillingham Royal Forest - a living landscape
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - ALB - Environment Agency - Corfe River project 18/19
£7,685	01/04/2018	Partnership Grants for England (PG) is a payment mechanism enabling us to provide capital and revenue grants to third sector organisations for projects which protect and enhance the water environment and deliver other EA objectives
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - ALB - Environment Agency - River Frome (Dorset) rehabilitation plan 18/19
£9,017	01/04/2018	Partnership Grants for England (PG) is a payment mechanism enabling us to provide capital and revenue grants to third sector organisations for projects which protect and enhance the water environment and deliver other EA objectives
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - ALB - Environment Agency - Hooke project 18/19
£13,787	01/04/2018	Partnership Grants for England (PG) is a payment mechanism enabling us to provide capital and revenue grants to third sector organisations for projects which protect and enhance the water environment and deliver other EA objectives
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - ALB - Environment Agency - Win Win project 18/19
£14,895	01/04/2018	Partnership Grants for England (PG) is a payment mechanism enabling us to provide capital and revenue grants to third sector organisations for projects which protect and enhance the water environment and deliver other EA objectives
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - ALB - Environment Agency - RSET WFD CRF GRANT PAYMENTS TO CHARITIES
£15,000	01/04/2018	Water Envronment Improvement Fund Hosting for Catchment Partnership for 1819
Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government - CG COASTAL COMMUNITIES
£88,538	01/04/2018	The UK coastline plays a vital role in the economy, history and culture of our country. The government is helping coastal communities flourish and strengthen their appeal as places to live, work and visit.
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Grant to Dorset Wildlife Trust
£656,100	13/03/2018	Wild Brownsea - Exploring Britain's favourite nature reserve
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Corfe River
£5,640	01/04/2017	To provide capital and revenue grants to third sector organisations to deliver projects to protect and enhance the water environment and deliver other EA objectives
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Dorset
£15,000	01/04/2017	Water Envronment Improvement Fund Catchment Based Approach National Support Group Work Programme 1718

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Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving

How is it governed?

Trustees (13)

Current Trustees appointed

Gender Split

Based on 12/13 persons

Age Range of Trustees: 34-78

ANNE VIVIENNE WHEATCROFT Appointed: 2020, Occupation: Retired

GILES PUGH Appointed: 2020, Occupation: Chartered Accountant

IAN ALEXANDER Appointed: 2023, Occupation: Conservationist

ISLA REYNOLDS Appointed: 2020, Occupation: Senior Media Engagement Manager

JAMES ROBERT WHITE Appointed: 2020, Occupation: Retired

JOHN DOUGLAS GAYE Appointed: 2020, Occupation: Consultant

JOSEPHINE DAVIES MBE Appointed: 2020, Occupation: None

JOHN ALLAN STOBART Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Civil Servant

LEO JULIAN HENLEY LOCK Appointed: 2023

LISBET SHERLOCK Appointed: 2023, Occupation: Communications Professional

PROF MARK KIBBLEWHITE Appointed: 2020, Occupation: Soil Scientist

ROGER COLE Appointed: 2020, Occupation: Solicitor

SIMON GOLDSACK Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Company Director

Legal constitution

Charitable company registered in England & Wales on 07/07/1961, number: 200222
Registered at Companies House on 30/03/1961, number: 00688439

Gift Aid

Registered with HMRC for Gift Aid

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
Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
Social media policy and procedures
Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
Volunteer management

Filing Record

20 returns made; AR07: 1 days late, AR05: 1 days late,

Recent reorganisation events:

Asset transfer in from SOUTH WEST WILDLIFE TRUSTS on 24/07/2024

Main office

DORSET WILDLIFE TRUST
BROOKLANDS FARM
FORSTON
DORCHESTER
DT2 7AA

Objectives

1.1.1 TO PROMOTE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC THE CONSERVATION PROTECTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE PHYSICAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT BOTH ON LAND AND SEA, IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY IN DORSET BY: (A) ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING NATURE RESERVES, WILDLIFE HABITATS AND NATURAL SPACES;(B) SURVEYING, RECORDING, RESEARCHING AND STUDYING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT; AND(C) ENGAGING PEOPLE WITH THEIR ENVIRONMENT THROUGH EVENTS, CENTRES, VOLUNTEERING AND/OR OTHER MEANS.1.1.2 TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC IN AND INFORM THEM ABOUT THE CONSERVATION, PROTECTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE PHYSICAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, AND THE NATURAL SCIENCES BOTH ON LAND AND SEA IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY IN DORSET BY:(A) PROVIDING WALKS, TALKS, EVENTS, MEETINGS, DIGITAL AND OTHER MEANS OF COMMUNICATION; AND (B) ADVOCATING GOOD PRACTICE AND PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLES AND WORKING.

Defined Area of Benefit:

NATIONAL

Data Sources

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