Finance Score: -10
Governance Score: 6
Support Score: 15
  • Excess liquidity: -1
  • Spending falling: -1
  • Multiple Deficits and declines: -5
  • Fundraising costs high: -3
  • Good trustee age range: +3
  • Gender balanced board: +3
  • Overall weighted support: +15
Overall GiG Score: 11 ?

CHARITY PROJECTS

The principal activities of Comic Relief, the operating name of the charity, are to raise funds and awareness, and to distribute money in the form of grants and social investments for specific charitable purposes, in support of our vision of a just world free from poverty and our mission of driving change through the power of entertainment.
Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

  • 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 gender

Financial issues to consider:

  • Liquidity appeared to be considerably in excess of CC guidelines at the latest year end especially considering the historic stability of income
  • Spending has fallen significantly over the last 5 years relative to the previous period
  • Income has been volatile and on several occasions in recent years less than spending
  • 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
31/07/23£50,752£51,322£-570£11,986£94,969£92,51121.61440
31/07/22£49,991£44,267£5,724£12,076£94,091£93,47325.31880
31/07/21£74,079£86,197£-12,118£12,646£90,720£90,82512.62030
31/07/20£78,029£105,552£-27,523£15,437£95,406£86,1729.82430
31/07/19£85,988£98,932£-12,944£14,728£132,182£132,12816223200
31/07/18£65,142£65,676£-534£16,815£131,913£133,37224.42400
31/07/17£104,718£98,556£6,162£16,252£116,885£135,14716.52950
31/07/16£92,221£127,804£-35,583£17,130£93,542£107,57910.13040
31/07/15£106,158£128,776£-22,618£15,292£101,075£114,93410.72950
31/07/14£84,424£107,262£-22,838£17,475£113,415£111,69512.52880
31/07/13£114,167£126,434£-12,267£13,054£138,131£137,356132770
31/07/12£89,466£104,308£-14,843£17,652£134,458£132,91515.32860
31/07/11£121,511£110,444£11,067£12,960£144,685£143,88715.62460
31/07/10£72,190£79,237£-7,048£13,018£127,005£126,14419.12170
31/07/09?£97,194£50,180£47,014£9,318£124,077£121,075291800
30/09/08£45,522£61,930£-16,408£9,946£76,863£75,47014.61690
30/09/07£89,382£76,481£12,901£7,561£101,667£100,44715.81660
30/09/06£27,776£61,864£-34,089n/an/an/an/an/an/a
30/09/05£85,791£33,289£52,503n/an/an/an/an/an/a
30/09/04£23,691£59,791£-36,100n/an/an/an/an/an/a

Financial Ratios
Fundraising Costs/Relevant Income: 27.6%
Fundraising Costs/Total Spending: 23.9%
Senior Staff Costs/Total Spending: 3%
Highest pay band: £150,000-£200,000
Liabilities/Assets: 31%
Liabilities/Income: 86%
Unrestricted Funds/Total Funds: 97%
Reserves/Spending: 21.6 months
Net Current Assets/Spending: 9 months
Quick Ratio: 1.9
Asset Split ?
Balance Sheet History
Established: 41 years

www.comicrelief.com

info@comicrelief.com

02078202222

Charity Commission for England and WalesCompanies HouseFacebookInstagramX
UN SDGs
?
Listed activities
  • General Charitable Purposes
  • Overseas Aid/Famine Relief
  • The Prevention Or Relief Of Poverty
GiG Classification
  • Grant-making foundations
How it operates
  • Makes grants to organisations
  • Other charitable activities
Where it operates
  • Northern Ireland, Scotland,
Who it helps
  • Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
  • Other Defined Groups

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
DCMS£14,672,185
National Emergencies Trust£5,977,023
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office£2,421,373
Ministry of Justice£2,286,098
City Bridge Trust£2,069,375
Esmee Fairbairn£1,470,000
Postcode International Trust£1,000,000
Specific Donations
Amount When
Months
To be used for
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Comic Relief
£250,000 12/06/2024
24
Towards delegated grant-making and field building as part of the Power of Pop (PoP) Fund, a pooled fund supporting organisations working at the intersection of popular culture and social change in the UK
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Comic Relief
£20,000 20/02/2023
Towards unrestricted core costs as a Cost of Living Uplift
City Bridge Trust - Grant to Comic Relief
£2,069,375 26/09/2022
A grant of £2,069,375 to Comic Relief towards Phase III of the Global Majority Fund (GMF) for costs including the organisational development of a number of London based charities as well as ongoing grantmaking (benefitting Londoners) undertaken by ....more
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - Pop Culture for Social Change: Power of Pop (PoP) Fund
£250,000 24/05/2022
Comic Relief is a charity based in the UK, with a vision of a just world, free from poverty. This pooled fund will support the intersection of migration, racial injustice, popular culture and social change working with organisations at the cutting ....more
DCMS - Comic Relief 20/21
£155,233 01/04/2022
Comic Reliefs Supporting & Sustaining Specialism project will centre on a competitive, open grants programme for organisations led by BME women for BME women to address violence against women and girls in all four nations of the UK. ....more
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - 301034-101 Shifting the Power Strengthening African Civil Society 2020-2030
£856,123 01/04/2022
By partnering with Comic Relief and the British public through five annual televised matched appeals, Shifting the Power will build the capacity of locally led civil society organisations in Ghana, Zambia and Malawi that are working in areas which ....more
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - 301034-101 Shifting the Power Strengthening African Civil Society 2020-2030
£84,807 01/04/2022
By partnering with Comic Relief and the British public through five annual televised matched appeals, Shifting the Power will build the capacity of locally led civil society organisations in Ghana, Zambia and Malawi that are working in areas which ....more
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - 204961-101 Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2015 - Improving educational opportunities
£1,198,411 01/04/2022
Support for inclusive and quality education in selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa by ensuring that up to 30,000 of the poorest and most disadvantaged children have greater access to improved education.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - 204961-101 Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2015 - Improving educational opportunities
£244,584 01/04/2022
Support for inclusive and quality education in selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa by ensuring that up to 30,000 of the poorest and most disadvantaged children have greater access to improved education.
National Emergencies Trust - NET Restricted Funding for Covid-19 Communities of BAME heritage (led by people of Black, Asian and/or Minority Ethnic Heritage)
£1,088,000 23/03/2022
Phase 3 - Funding from Barclays in partnership with Comic Relief for delivering user-led distribution programme through BAME-led VCSE partners
National Emergencies Trust - NET Restricted Funding for Covid-19 Communities of BAME heritage (led by people of Black, Asian and/or Minority Ethnic Heritage)
£90,023 23/03/2022
Infrastructure 3 - Funding partnership with Comic Relief for delivering user-led distribution programme through BAME-led VCSE partners
Postcode International Trust - Special Award 2023
£1,000,000 16/02/2022
One-off award
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Comic Relief
£200,000 19/01/2022
24
Towards delegated grant-making through The Power of Pop (POP) Fund, a pooled fund to support Black-led, grassroots creative organisations.
Unbound Philanthropy - Grant to Charity Projects
£210,000 03/11/2021
For the creation of a pooled fund at the intersection of migration, racial justice, popular culture, and social change
Ministry of Justice - Specialist Services Capability Fund
£2,286,098 02/06/2021
To build the capacity of 'by and for' specialist support services working with victims who are racially minoritised, from LGBT communities or disabled.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - Tech for Good top-up
£96,343 06/05/2021
Comic Relief and Paul Hamlyn Foundation are working in partnership to deliver the Tech for Good funding programme, which supports non-profits who are using technology to deliver new ideas and make services more effective. This grant provides funding ....more
DCMS - Comic Relief 19/20
£37,023 01/04/2021
This project aims to invest in projects working to end VAWG particularly those who are more at risk due to multiple and complex needs
DCMS - Comic Relief 20/21
£1,117,443 01/04/2021
Comic Reliefs Supporting & Sustaining Specialism project will centre on a competitive, open grants programme for organisations led by BME women for BME women to address violence against women and girls in all four nations of the UK. ....more
DCMS - Comic Relief 20/21
£11,986 01/12/2020
Comic Reliefs Supporting & Sustaining Specialism project will centre on a competitive, open grants programme for organisations led by BME women for BME women to address violence against women and girls in all four nations of the UK. ....more
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Comic Relief
£900,000 26/11/2020
12
Towards delegated grant-making for the Global Majority Fund, a pooled programme to support black led infrastructure and grassroots organisations address emergency needs within minoritised communities disproportionately affected by COVID 19.
National Emergencies Trust - NET Restricted Funding for Covid-19 Communities of BAME heritage (led by people of Black, Asian and/or Minority Ethnic Heritage)
£40,000 13/11/2020
Infrastructure 1 - Funding partnership with Comic Relief for delivering user-led distribution programme through BAME-led VCSE partners
National Emergencies Trust - NET Restricted Funding for Covid-19 Communities of BAME heritage (led by people of Black, Asian and/or Minority Ethnic Heritage)
£49,000 13/11/2020
Infrastructure 2 - Funding partnership with Comic Relief for delivering user-led distribution programme through BAME-led VCSE partners
National Emergencies Trust - NET Restricted Funding for Covid-19 Communities of BAME heritage (led by people of Black, Asian and/or Minority Ethnic Heritage)
£1,960,000 29/10/2020
Phase 2 - Funding partnership with Comic Relief for delivering user-led distribution programme through BAME-led VCSE partners
DCMS - CMC - Comic Relief
£5,000,000 28/09/2020
This project has been funded as part of the Community Match Challenge, which aims to provide a match fund grant to philanthropists, foundations and grant making organisations for onward distribution to voluntary and community organisations to ....more
The Clothworkers Foundation - Grant to Comic Relief
£200,000 23/09/2020
COVID19 : The Global Majority Fund
National Emergencies Trust - NET Restricted Funding for Covid-19 Communities of BAME heritage (led by people of Black, Asian and/or Minority Ethnic Heritage)
£2,750,000 18/07/2020
Phase 1 - Funding partnership with Comic Relief for delivering user-led distribution programme through BAME-led VCSE partners
DCMS - Comic Relief The Big Night In Match Fund - COVID Response
£8,280,000 24/06/2020
To provide a match fund grant to Comic Relief for onward distribution to voluntary and community organisations to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalised people affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - Shifting the Power - Strengthening African Civil Society 2020-2030
£37,448 01/04/2020
The UK Government has international commitments to meet the reasonable assistance needs of the citizens of St Helena. This bridges the gap between the domestic revenues collected and the costs of delivering public services on the island. This ....more
DCMS - Comic Relief 19/20
£70,500 01/04/2020
This project aims to invest in projects working to end VAWG particularly those who are more at risk due to multiple and complex needs
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Comic Relief
£100,000 31/03/2020
12
Towards continuation of the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund.
Department for International Development - Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2015 - Improving educational opportunities for children in sub-Saharan Africa Improvements in educational opportunities (match funding with Comic Relief)
£1,979,681 01/04/2019
Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2015 - Improving educational opportunities for children in sub-Saharan Africa
Department for International Development - Sport Relief 2014 Implementation
£1,017,401 01/04/2019
Comic Relief Sport Relief 2014
Department for International Development - Pilot Stage Evaluation
£76,613 01/04/2019
UK Aid Match: backing public choices on aid spending
Department for International Development - UK Aid Match Grants
£675,578 01/04/2019
UK Aid Match: backing public choices on aid spending
Department for International Development - Design costs for developing Shifting the Power Business Case
£18,191 01/04/2019
Shifting the Power Strengthening African Civil Society
Department for International Development - Grant for Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2019 - Global Mental Health Matters
£23,305 01/04/2019
Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2019 Global Mental Health Matters:
Department for International Development - Grant for Red Nose Day 2013 - improving the lives of women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa
£360,044 01/04/2019
Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2013 improving the lives of women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa
DCMS - Comic Relief 19/20
£148,747 01/04/2019
This project aims to invest in projects working to end VAWG particularly those who are more at risk due to multiple and complex needs
DCMS - Comic Relief
£785,677 01/04/2019
This project aims to invest in projects working to end VAWG particularly those who are more at risk due to multiple and complex needs
DCMS - Comic Relief 19/20
£1,223,502 01/04/2019
This project aims to invest in projects working to end VAWG particularly those who are more at risk due to multiple and complex needs
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - Grant for Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2019 - Global Mental Health Matters
£531,105 01/04/2019
To improve reproductive maternal and child health (RMCH) outcomes in Mozambique by strengthening community and institutional systems. This contributes toward the Family Planning 2020 objectives
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - Tech for Good
£1,200,000 21/01/2019
36
Comic Relief and Paul Hamlyn Foundation are working in partnership to deliver the Tech for Good for three years, from 2019 through 2021. This programme supports charity organisations who are using technology to deliver new ideas and make services ....more
The Clothworkers Foundation - Grant to Comic Relief
£200,000 01/01/2019
to co-fund the second cohort of the Tech V Abuse Programme
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Comic Relief
£400,000 06/11/2018
24
Towards a joint funding programme Tech Vs Abuse which supports organisations tackling violence against women and girls to develop tech solutions.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - Digital Spark Partnership
£100,000 21/09/2018
24
Support towards the Digital Spark Partnership, which aims to build the digital capacity of the charity sector.
Department for International Development - Comic Relief Common Ground Initiative Fund
£2,688,684 01/04/2018
Comic Relief - Common Ground Initiative Fund
Department for International Development - Grant for Red Nose Day 2013 – improving the lives of women and girls in subSaharan Africa
£682,259 01/04/2018
Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2013 improving the lives of women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa
Department for International Development - Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2015 Improving educational opportunities for children in subSaharan Africa Improvements in educational opportunities match funding with Comic Relief
£2,625,715 01/04/2018
Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2015 - Improving educational opportunities for children in sub-Saharan Africa
Department for International Development - Sport Relief 2014 Implementation
£1,433,174 01/04/2018
Comic Relief Sport Relief 2014
Department for International Development - Pilot Stage Evaluation
£32,649 01/04/2018
UK Aid Match: backing public choices on aid spending
Department for International Development - UK Aid Match Grants
£469,100 01/04/2018
UK Aid Match: backing public choices on aid spending
Sport England - Sport Relief - Whatever Moves You
£300,000 09/03/2018
11
Funding under Sport England's National Programme - Market Development funding programme for a Revenue project titled Sport Relief - Whatever Moves You. This project lists its main activity as Multi Sports
National Lottery Community Fund - Try For Change
£500,000 26/02/2018
34
Try For Change
Sport England - SfSD - Coalition capacity and development support
£110,000 23/11/2017
24
Funding under Sport England's Sport for Development funding programme for a Revenue project titled 'SfSD - Coalition capacity and development support'. This project lists its main activity as Sports Development.
Sport England - SfSD - Coalition capacity and development support
£110,000 23/11/2017
30
Funding under Sport England's Sport for Development funding programme for a Revenue project titled SfSD - Coalition capacity and development support. This project lists its main activity as Sports development
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - To run a UK Tech for Good grants programme
£350,000 19/09/2017
18
Comic Relief and Paul Hamlyn Foundation are working in partnership to deliver the Tech for Good funding programme in 2018. The programme will back 12 digital projects each with grants of up to £47,000 over 9 months, alongside access to dedicated ....more
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Comic Relief
£38,365 04/08/2017
36
Towards the salary costs of an evaluation and learning officer responsible for overseeing data collection and analysis on projects that are part of the five year Early Action Neighbourhood Fund.
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Comic Relief
£30,000 26/06/2017
24
Towards the salary and other costs related to providing the secretariat to the Early Action Funders Alliance.
Barrow Cadbury Trust - Early Action Funders' Alliance 2017-19
£15,000 06/06/2017
24
A contribution to the running costs of the Early Action Funders Alliance
National Lottery Community Fund - tech v abuse initiative
£305,000 24/03/2017
15
This collaboration between the Big Lottery Fund and Comic Relief will increase the number of projects funded through the Tech vs. Abuse programme. The Tech vs. Abuse programme supports technological innovation and creative digital solutions to help ....more
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - To run a UK Tech for Good grants programme
£220,000 05/07/2016
18
To co-fund the Comic Relief Tech for Good grants programme in 2017. This funding will support 4 of the 10 grants made.
National Lottery Community Fund - Early Action Neighbourhood Fund
£2,800,000 11/03/2015
60
Not Available
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Comic Relief
£1,500,000 05/01/2015
60
Towards the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund.
Spirit of 2012 - Do It For Real
£925,847 10/12/2014
Project for young people to start and grow sustainable social action projects, connecting social ventures with volunteers and mentors. Final amount of grant dispersed may differ due to project underspend and within agreed tolerance.
Show more rows

Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving

How is it governed?

Trustees (10)
Current Trustees appointed
Gender Split

Age Range of Trustees: 49-71
  • DR SUE BLACK Appointed: 2018, Occupation: Professor Of Computer Science
  • FIONA CAMPBELL Appointed: 2020, Occupation: Controller Bbc 3
  • JACQUELINE ONALO Appointed: 2019, Occupation: Solicitor
  • JENNY HODGSON Appointed: 2019, Occupation: Executive Director, Global Fund For Comminuty Fond
  • MARC NOHR Appointed: 2024, Occupation: Company Director
  • MATT HYDE Appointed: 2019, Occupation: Chief Executive
  • RUPERT OLIVER HENRY MORLEY Appointed: 2018, Occupation: Company Director
  • TESSY OJO Appointed: 2018, Occupation: Ceo
  • TERESA ALPS Appointed: 2024, Occupation: Non Executive Director
  • TOM SHROPSHIRE (Chair) Appointed: 2018, Occupation: Lawyer
Legal constitution
  • Charitable company registered in England & Wales on 18/04/1984, number: 326568
  • Registered at Companies House on 05/04/1984, number: 01806414
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
  • Trustee expenses policy and procedures
  • Volunteer management
Filing Record
20 returns made; all on time
Main office

6th Floor
The White Chapel Building
10 Whitechapel High Street
London
E1 8QS

Objectives

A) THE RELIEF OF POVERTY; B) THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION BY MEANS OF THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE ARTS FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT; C) THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR RECREATION OR OTHER LEISURE TIME OCCUPATIONS IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROVIDED THAT SUCH FACILITIES ARE FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT; AND D) THE PROMOTION OF ANY OTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC.

Defined Area of Benefit:

NOT DEFINED

Data Sources

Charity Commission for England and Wales
360 Giving

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