Finance Score: 3
Governance Score: 9
Support Score: 9
  • Fundraising costs low: +3
  • Good trustee age range: +3
  • Dynamic board: +3
  • Gender balanced board: +3
  • Grant maker support: +9
Overall GiG Score: 21 ?

THE KOESTLER TRUST 

The Koestler Trust is the UK's leading charity for arts in prisons. Through awards, feedback, mentoring, outreach and involvement, it plays a unique national role in encouraging offenders, secure psychiatric patients and immigration detainees to take part in the arts, often transforming their lives. The Trust then brings prison arts to the public through exhibitions, publications and events.
Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

  • Spending has increased over the last 3 years relative to the previous period
  • There have been no material income shortfalls in recent years
  • Fundraising costs are low relative to funds raised
  • 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 and dynamic in terms of composition
Established: 20 years

www.koestlerarts.org.uk

info@koestlerarts.org.uk

02087400333

Charity Commission for England and WalesCompanies HouseFacebookInstagramX
UN SDGs
?

Financial Data ?

Income & Spending ?
Sources of Income ?
Y/E Income
£k
Spending
£k
Surplus/
Deficit
Fundraising
Cost £k
Total
Funds £k
Unrestricted
Funds £k
Mths
Rsrvs
Staff Volun-
teers
31/03/23£1,437£996£441£136£1,878£5566.721121
31/03/22£1,259£882£377£124£1,437£5717.82173
31/03/21£1,407£761£646£120£1,060£5939.31773
31/03/20*£904£851£53£169£399£3364.719298
31/03/19£759£754£5£171£361£3395.417120
31/03/18£867£775£92£158£340£2744.2150
31/03/17£664£659£5£95£265£2234.1150
31/03/16£790£708£81£99£225£1843.1150
31/03/15£727£720£7£84£144£1402.3120
31/03/14£674£720£-47£61£136£1362.3170
31/03/13£716£708£8£82£182£1722.9130
31/03/12£626£620£6£66£173£1723.3140
31/03/11£533£562£-29£46£168£1643.5130
31/03/10£529£459£70£68£197£842.2100
31/03/09£433£372£60£0£0£0n/a00
31/03/08£328£321£7£0£0£0n/a00
31/03/07*£269£304£-35£0£0£0n/a00
31/03/06*£198£278£-80£0£0£0n/a00
31/03/05*£0£0£0n/an/an/an/an/a0

Financial Ratios
Fundraising Costs/Relevant Income: 9.7%
Fundraising Costs/Total Spending: 13.7%
Senior Staff Costs/Total Spending: 8%
Highest pay band: £60,000-£70,000
Liabilities/Assets: 13%
Liabilities/Income: 20%
Unrestricted Funds/Total Funds: 30%
Reserves/Spending: 6.7 months
Net Current Assets/Spending: 10 months
Quick Ratio: 3.5
Asset Split ?
Listed activities
  • Arts/Culture/Heritage/Science
  • Education/Training
How it operates
  • Other charitable activities
  • Provides services
Where it operates
  • Northern Ireland, Scotland,
Who it helps
  • Other Defined Groups
Who works here?
  • 21 employees
  • 121 volunteers

Who's supporting them? ?

Donations from Grant Makers ?

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

Major supporters in last 5 years
Ministry of Justice£400,000
DCMS£327,237
The Clothworkers Foundation£75,000
Garfield Weston Foundation£50,000
AB Charitable Trust£45,000
The Bromley Trust£27,000
Tudor Trust£22,000
Specific Donations
Amount When
Months
To be used for
Garfield Weston Foundation - Main Grants award
£50,000 01/04/2022
Koestler Arts New Building
AB Charitable Trust - A grant to Koestler Arts
£15,000 06/12/2021
An unrestricted grant of £15,000 (This grant is renewable - year 3 of 3 years). Koestler Trust aims to create change amongst prisoners by running an annual awards programme to encourage creativity ....more
The Bromley Trust - Restricted grant towards The Keith Bromley Scholarship Award
£27,000 08/11/2021
The Koestler Trust is a prison arts charity, harnessing the transformational power of arts to help prisoners in their rehabilitative journeys to lead more positive lives.This is a three year grant ....more
Ministry of Justice - Engagement to Motivate Offenders to Participate in the Arts
£75,000 01/04/2021
To encourage artistic activity amongst prisoners and to raise public awareness of offender art through awards and a high profile annual exhibition.
Tudor Trust - Grant to Koestler Arts
£2,000 19/01/2021
as an additional grant to support staff, volunteer and trustee wellbeing, to assist the organisation deliver its charitable purpose more effectively
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - A major gifts award to The Koestler Trust (inflation)
£2,556 14/01/2021
The Koestler Trust is a national organisation which plays a unique role in motivating offenders to take part and achieve in the arts, and in showcasing this art to the public. They encourage ....more
Ministry of Justice - Land Outside the Wire funding
£250,000 01/01/2021
To support the Koestler Trust in preparing their new lodgings on the currently vacant land adjacent to their current premises at 168a Du Cane Road, London with view to continue to support prisoners ....more
AB Charitable Trust - A grant to Koestler Arts
£15,000 04/12/2020
An unrestricted grant of £15,000 (This grant is renewable - year 2 of up to 3 years). Koestler Trust aims to create change amongst prisoners running an annual awards programme to encourage ....more
Ministry of Justice - Engagement to Motivate Offenders to Participate in the Arts
£75,000 01/04/2020
To engage offenders in artistic activity through the organisation and curation of offender art exhibitions
DCMS - Koestler Trust
£76,380 01/04/2020
We are the national development agency for creativity and culture. We have set out our strategic vision in Lets Create that by 2030 we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of ....more
DCMS - Cultural Capital Kickstart Fund
£250,857 01/04/2020
To support Arts and Culture throughout England
The Clothworkers Foundation - Grant to Koestler Trust
£75,000 31/03/2020
construction of a new building for a charity which works with prisoners nationally
AB Charitable Trust - A grant to Koestler Arts
£15,000 09/01/2020
An unrestricted grant of £15,000 (This grant is renewable - year 1 of up to 3 years, subject to annual trustee approval). Koestler Trust aims to create change amongst prisoners running an annual ....more
Tudor Trust - Grant to Koestler Arts
£20,000 31/10/2019
12
towards new modular premises at Wormwood Scrubs for a charity supporting arts activities for people in prison
Ministry of Justice - HMPPS - Engagement to Motivate Offenders to Participate in the Arts
£75,000 01/04/2019
To engage offenders in artistic activity through the organisation and curation of offender art exhibitions
DCMS - Koestler Trust
£450,000 01/04/2019
Our premises at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, a dilapidated Victorian former governor’s house with 14 small room and no accessibility, is no longer suitable for our day-to-day needs. As we grow, we urgently ....more
DCMS - Koestler Trust
£75,000 01/04/2019
£1.6bn invested in the key arts and culture infrastrucure organisations in England for a 4 year period
The Bromley Trust - Restricted grant towards The Keith Bromley Scholarship Award
£24,000 01/02/2019
36
The Koestler Trust is a prison arts charity, harnessing the transformational power of arts to help prisoners in their rehabilitative journeys to lead more positive lives.This is a three year grant ....more
Henry Smith Charity - Grant to Koestler Trust
£78,000 12/12/2018
36
towards three years' continuation funding of the running costs of an arts mentoring project for ex-offenders across the UK
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - A major gifts award to The Koestler Trust
£1,500,000 04/12/2018
120
The Koestler Trust is a national organisation which plays a unique role in motivating offenders to take part and achieve in the arts, and in showcasing this art to the public. They encourage ....more
AB Charitable Trust - A grant to Koestler Trust
£10,000 24/04/2018
£10,000 towards core costs. Koestler Trust aims to create change amongst prisoners running an annual awards programme to encourage creativity and also aims to increase public awareness and ....more
The Bromley Trust - Restricted grant towards the Keith Bromley Scholarship Award
£8,000 01/02/2018
12
The Koestler Trust is a prison arts charity, harnessing the transformational power of arts to help prisoners in their rehabilitative journeys to lead more positive lives.This is a one year grant ....more
Essex Community Foundation - Curatorial participation project with young people from NEEAPS units culminating in exhibition at Firstsite
£6,000 06/12/2017
5
To put on an arts exhibition in Colchester run by young people at risk of exclusion
Garfield Weston Foundation - Main Grants award
£40,000 23/10/2017
CREATING GROWTH - YEAR 4
Barrow Cadbury Trust - Women Prisoners' Art Trail 2018
£21,500 21/10/2017
15
To support the costs of a Women Prisoners' Art Trail in 2018 to mark 100 years of women's suffrage, through which art by women in prison will be placed in corridors of power such as parliament.
The Bromley Trust - Restricted grants towards the Keith Bromley Scholarship Award
£8,000 07/06/2017
12
The Koestler Trust is a prison arts charity, harnessing the transformational power of arts to help prisoners in their rehabilitative journeys to lead more positive lives.This is a one year grant ....more
AB Charitable Trust - A grant to Koestler Trust
£10,000 24/01/2017
£10,000 towards core costs. Koestler Trust aims to create change amongst prisoners running an annual awards programme to encourage creativity and also aims to increase public awareness and ....more
Ministry of Justice - Koestler Trust - activities around prisoners art
£75,000 01/04/2016
12
To encourage artistic activity amongst prisoners, planning organising and curating art exhibitions involving and engaging offenders in custody in the arts as part of NOMS objectives of rehabilitation ....more
Ministry of Justice - Prison Reform And Better Outcomes For Prisoners And Their Families - Koestler Trust
£10,000 01/04/2016
12
pop-up art workshops
AB Charitable Trust - Prison Art
£10,000 26/01/2016
£10,000 towards core costs
Henry Smith Charity - Grant to Koestler Trust
£84,000 03/12/2015
36
towards three years' salaries of the Director of Outreach and Involvement and an Outreach Administrator at an arts mentoring project for ex-offenders across England and Wales
Lloyds Bank Foundation - Grant to The Koestler Trust
£74,217 09/09/2015
36
delivering an arts mentoring programme matching volunteer arts mentors with prisoners pre- and on release from prison to support their positive reintegration back into the community. The grant will ....more
Robertson Trust - the Freedom in Expression Project
£24,000 31/08/2015
the Freedom in Expression Project
Barrow Cadbury Trust - Koestler Trust Arts Mentoring & West Mids Exhib
£40,000 11/07/2015
27
To support prison-based art scholarships for women and young adults, and to contribute towards the 2017 West Midlands exhibition
Triangle Trust 1949 Fund - Koestler Trust - 1
£100,000 20/03/2015
36
To develop systems to increase sales of prisoners art work for the benefit of the prisoners as artists and generate increased income.
AB Charitable Trust - achievement in the arts
£10,000 27/01/2015
£10,000 towards core costs
Barrow Cadbury Trust - Koestler Trust West Midlands Programme 14/15
£10,000 31/07/2014
Koestler Trust West Midlands Programme 14/15
AB Charitable Trust - support to women prisoners
£10,000 21/01/2014
£10,000 towards core work with women prisoners and offenders
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - Creative Young Offenders
£15,000 11/12/2012
Expansion of 'Arts Mentoring for Released Prisoners' project and UK-wide roll out of the Arts Award Scheme's exhibitions, curated by marginalised young people.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - Creative Young Offenders
£180,000 29/03/2011
Expansion of 'Arts Mentoring for Released Prisoners' project and UK-wide roll out of the Arts Award Scheme's exhibitions, curated by marginalised young people.
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to The Koestler Trust
£90,000 03/12/2009
36
Towards Unrestricted core costs Towards the costs of improving communication with offenders, ex-offenders and the public.
Show more rows

Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving

How is it governed?

Trustees (11)
Current Trustees appointed
Gender Split
Based on 10/11 persons

Age Range of Trustees: 32-75
  • CARRIE PETERS Appointed: 2023, Occupation: Director Of Operations
  • DR NORA LARAKI Appointed: 2021, Occupation: Cultural Development Officer
  • JASMIN BOOTH Appointed: 2021, Occupation: Management Consultant
Legal constitution
  • Charitable company registered in England & Wales on 06/09/2004, number: 1105759
  • Registered at Companies House on 12/11/2003, number: 04961363
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
  • Paying staff
  • Risk management
  • Safeguarding policy and procedures
  • Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
  • Trustee expenses policy and procedures
  • Volunteer management
Filing Record
19 returns made; AR20: 4 days late, AR07: 27 days late, AR06: 1 days late, AR05: 45 days late,
Main office

170 Du Cane Road
LONDON
W12 0TX

Objectives

3) THE CHARITY'S OBJECTS (THE OBJECTS) ARE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE ARTS AND EDUCATION AND FOR PURPOSES BENEFICIAL TO THE COMMUNITY:A) TO PROMOTE THE CREATIVE ENTERPRISE OF INMATES AND FORMER INMATES OF PRISONS, YOUNG OFFENDER INSTITUTIONS, SECURE UNITS AND ANY OTHER ESTABLISHMENT FOR THE LAWFUL DETENTION OF INDIVIDUAL INCLUDING PATIENTS AND FORMER PATIENTS IN HIGH SECURITY PSYCHIATRIC AND OTHER HOSPITAL UNITS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (THE INSTITUTION) AND THOSE SUBJECT TO NON-CUSTODIAL ORDERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND PERSON SUBJECTED TO SIMILAR REGIMES OUTSIDE THE UNITED KINGDOM IN THE FIELDS OF THE VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS, SCIENCES, CRAFTS OR TRADES BY THE PROVISION OF AWARDS TO SUCH PERSONS AND GROUPS OF PERSONS FOR MERITORIOUS WORK AND THE EXHIBITION OF THEIR WORK; ANDB) TO INSTITUTE OR SUPPORT WORTHWHILE ARTISTIC OR CREATIVE PROJECTS AT ANY OF THE INSTITUTIONS WHICH AIM TO STIMULATE THE EDUCATION OR SKILLS OF SUCH PERSONS AND TO ASSIST IN THEIR REHABILITATION AND RESETTLEMENT IN SOCIETY.

Defined Area of Benefit:

NATIONAL

Data Sources

Charity Commission for England and Wales
360 Giving
CharityBase
Authorised officials of this charity can add information to this page (including a Donate Now button) for no cost

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